Introduction:
The words of Kiingi Tāwhiao, the second Māori King, echo across generations, offering a powerful message for our times through his tongikura or proverb: “Māku anō e hanga tōku nei whare. Ko Te Tāhuhu he Hīnau, Ko ngā poupou He Māhoe, He Patetē.” This translates to mean, “I will rebuild my house. The ridgepole will be Hīnau, the posts will be Māhoe, and Patatē.”
This seemingly simple proverb holds within it a profound vision for a future built on collective strength and resilience, a vision particularly relevant in today’s complex and interconnected world.
Traditionally when a wharenui or ancestral house is built, the architects use the rangatira or chiefly trees like the Kauri and the Totara. What is significant, is that Kiingi Tāwhiao didn’t chose the rangatira or chiefly trees, known for their strength and ridgidness. He chose the common trees, known for their wireyness, their collective adaptability and resilience, found in abundance in the forest.
in essence he was saying that our house, or world will be rebuilt, not necessarily by the rigidness of the chiefs or the leaders, but by the resilience and combined strength and collective adaptability, found in the common people.
Rangiriri photo / supplied
Born from the ashes of the devastating Waikato invasion in 1863, Tāwhiao’s vision speaks to the very essence of rebuilding a physical structure, yet this same essense can also be applied to a contemporay notion of building a nation. His foresight for a “whare” constructed with Hīnau, Māhoe, and Patetē, – trees known for their flexibility, strength, and adaptability – offers a powerful blueprint that has adapted for a future where every ethnicity living in Aotearoa NZ can thrive.
Reggata 2023 photo / supplied
The Hīnau, with its inherent flexibility, symbolizes our ability to adapt and bend with the challenges we face. It reminds us to find common ground, to listen with open hearts and minds, and to embrace the diverse perspectives of all Treaty partners.
The Māhoe, known for its strength and resilience, represents the collective power of all New Zealanders, our ability to stand tall and strong even in the face of adversity. It reminds us to work together, to support each other, and to build a foundation of shared responsibility.
The Patetē, known for its ability to thrive in diverse environments, symbolizes our capacity to adapt and innovate, to find creative solutions that address the needs and aspirations of all communities. It reminds us to be open to new ideas, to learn from each other, and to build a future that is sustainable and equitable for all.
Divisive politics:
Today, as we navigate a political landscape marked by division and uncertainty, Kiingi Tawhiao’s vision offers a promise of a brighter future. We face challenges that demand more than just individual effort; they require a collective commitment to building a nation where every one can thrive.
The very fabric of our nation, woven from the threads of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, is being frayed by a growing sense of division and mistrust. We are a nation forged on the Treaty of Waitangi, a document that, in its essence, calls for partnership and shared responsibility. Yet, the reality of our political landscape often falls short of this ideal. The very fabric of our nation, woven from the threads of Te Tiriti, is being frayed by a growing sense of division and mistrust. Misinformation spreads like wildfire, fueling a climate of fear and suspicion, and eroding the foundation of shared understanding upon which a truly unified Aotearoa must stand.
Photo / supplied
We see this division manifest in a multitude of ways: in the heated rhetoric of political discourse, in the widening gap between communities, and in the erosion of trust in institutions that are meant to serve all New Zealanders. The very act of engaging in respectful dialogue, of listening with open hearts and minds, seems to be increasingly rare. This lack of genuine connection leaves us vulnerable to manipulation and exploitation, hindering our ability to address the complex challenges that face us as a nation.
The consequences of this division are far-reaching. It undermines our ability to work together towards solutions for issues like climate change, economic inequality, and social justice. It creates a fertile ground for extremism and prejudice to flourish, threatening the very fabric of our society. And it perpetuates a cycle of distrust and animosity. “Our social and economic foundations are crumbling, making it increasingly challenging to envision a stable future.”
Te Tongikura ā Tāwhiao
This is where the wisdom of kiingi Tāwhiao’s prophesy becomes so crucial. It reminds us that the strength of our nation lies in the resilient, adaptable, and collaborative spirit of its people. Just as the Hīnau, Māhoe and Patetē can withstand the harshest storms, so too can Aotearoa overcome its current challenges.
This journey requires a shift in mindset, a willingness to listen, learn, and understand perspectives different from our own. It demands a commitment to collaboration, to finding common ground, and to building bridges across divides. It calls for the kind of resilience that allows us to weather storms, to learn from mistakes, and to emerge stronger from adversity.
Kiingi Tāwhiao’s prophecy speaks to the potential within each of us to contribute to this collective effort. We are all Treaty partners, bound by a shared destiny. By embracing the values of collaboration, resilience, and respect for the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, we can build a future worthy of the legacy of kiingi Tāwhiao – a future where the “whare” of our nation is strong, adaptable, and resilient enough to withstand the challenges ahead.
Embracing kiingi Tāwhiao’s tongikura offers a roadmap for a stronger, more just, and thriving Aotearoa:
– Strengthening Te Tiriti: By embracing kiingi Tāwhiao’s tongikura, we can more effectively honor the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, fostering genuine partnership and shared responsibility.
– Bridging Divides: The tongikura encourages us to move beyond divisive rhetoric and find common ground, building bridges across communities and fostering a sense of shared belonging.
– Addressing Systemic Inequalities: The tongikura reminds us that true progress requires addressing the systemic inequalities that have plagued our nation for generations. This means actively working to dismantle systems of oppression and create a more just and equitable society for all.
– Building a Sustainable Future: The tongikura inspires us to find innovative solutions to the challenges of climate change and environmental degradation, working together to create a sustainable future for generations to come.
Conclusion:
Let us draw inspiration from kiingi Tāwhiao’s vision, from the strength and resilience of the Hīnau, Māhoe and Patetē, and let us work together to rebuild our nation, brick by brick, with a shared commitment to building a better Aotearoa for all.
