Te Ori Paki

Taumaruhia ai au e oku maunga I te puku o Ika, I te manawa o te Ika.

Matenui ai au mō ngā Iwi o ēnei whenua.

Being the oldest of 9 taught me that no matter where you line up there is a place for you at the table. Mum and Dad made sure we learnt about the place of the tuakana and the place of the taina. This helped us as we learned about the dynamics of our hapū and when it was time to do the dishes and peel the spuds. Hearing the kōrero of the pakeke as we operated as their hands and feet on our Tūrangawaewae helped immensely, bringing clarity and determination to roles of responsibility that appear and are always requiring willing participants. The wheels turn as my two sprogs get their turn to do the dishes and run a muck down the pā…