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When I was a kid (under 10) and I had problems at school, my Dad uses to take me out on our boat, Kiwi Magic.
He taught me to sail and more over he trusted me. When I was 8 he started just telling me where he wanted to go and then go into the cabin and make a coffee and a milo.
He taught me to sail and more over he trusted me. When I was 8 he started just telling me where he wanted to go and then go into the cabin and make a coffee and a milo.
I have a lot of memories of him putting a plastic mug of milo on the lee bench and then ducking back down into the galley.
He didn't even check to see if we were going the right way. He just trusted what he had taugt me.
He didn't even check to see if we were going the right way. He just trusted what he had taugt me.
And he believed that having named me after every atua of the sea that I must be able to do it. Like an article of faith that I was atuned to the ocean and sailing beyond just being an Islander.
Once, he didn't listen to me about how hard we were sailing to the wind.
Once, he didn't listen to me about how hard we were sailing to the wind.
The song of the mast changed from a nice one of speed and joy to one of strain and fear. I told Dad that Kiwi Magic was trying but she was not happy. He told me I was wrong. And a minute latter the mast snapped in three places. I will never forget the look on his face.
The total awe. I thought he was going to be mad, but he just held my shoulder and asked how I knew.
So, I told him. Kiwi Magic sings. And I can hear her. He asked me what else I could hear, and I told him. That every course he show me had a song.
So, I told him. Kiwi Magic sings. And I can hear her. He asked me what else I could hear, and I told him. That every course he show me had a song.
I'm arorereteni and takiwātanga. I can see and hear things that is just background clutter to everyone else. And because of how people are wired up, I sense most of it as a song.
My Dad took everything I said at face value. He didn't call me a liar, like every other adult did.
My Dad took everything I said at face value. He didn't call me a liar, like every other adult did.
He didn't explain it away or try to understand it beyond "This is how my child is."
A lot of people are going to say how great he was for that.
But that's Te Ao Māori. That's how it looks everyday. And that's why everyone who grow up following it will fight to protect it.
A lot of people are going to say how great he was for that.
But that's Te Ao Māori. That's how it looks everyday. And that's why everyone who grow up following it will fight to protect it.
Because why should we change to suit a world view that is filled with hate, pain and sadness, when Te Ao Māori takes us as we are and loves us?
Tells us we are more powerful for being different than being the same.
Tells us we are more powerful for being different than being the same.
