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“Nā te pō – ko te ao” – From darkness comes light. This ancient creation whakataukī holds a special significance for Rue-Jade Morgan (Kāi Tahu – Kāti Wheke), a young man who rediscovered his love of Te Ao Māori while serving a prison sentence for a serious crime and credits that awakening for saving his life.
Trapped in a violent gang culture that was hostile on all fronts, Jade says he was lucky to survive a horrific childhood.
At Te Taumutu Rūnanga near the waters of Te Waihora, Liam joined other men in similar situations. Led by Te Mairiki Williams (Ngāi Tahu, Kāti Māmoe, Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Te Ātihaunui-a-Pāpārangi, Ngāti Hauiti ki Rata) the men were soon learning the ways of their ancestors.
“The main thing was that Matua (Te Mairiki) made us turn away from distractions. He said us Māori get distracted by too much.
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The pōwhiri is about to begin. Two great encampments stand before the mānuka palisades, Ngāi Tahu to the east, the motu to the west. The Rātana band lines up. Warriors pad through the crowd to take their place out front, patu pounamu cradled in their arms. One breaks away to greet a kaumātua. They grasp shoulders in a quick fierce hongi, voices quiet.
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Taiaha wānanga have been run at Awhitu Estate, on the edge of Te Waihora/Lake Ellesmere for the past 25 years. The wānanga are open to boys and men who want to learn the ancient art of mau rākau, not for combat, but to carry traditional knowledge forward into the changing world. The three-day workshops have…
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