Councillor’s Comment

The Waitangi Day event at Whakatū Marae and Founders Heritage Park this year took my breath away. It was a day that lifted my spirit and showed me that our community can be inspired in support against the divisive currents swirling and crashing against the notions of nationhood.

As the hau kāinga (homeside), we stood and quietly waited inside the gates, speaking quietly and exchanging pleasant greetings of hongi and kisses while our host representative from Ngāti Koata, Michael Elkington, was out the front preparing the visitors for their pending welcome onto our sacred marae ātea.

With our young warriors striding forth and offering a challenge to anything but peace, the pōhiri began. Quietly flowing like a powerful folding river, the people respectfully came. And they came. And they came. I was told there were 1000 people. I wouldn’t have doubted it.

Many of those who came had never experienced a pōhiri before but were inspired to join us to commemorate this day. Despite the blaring sun and growing heat, they all stood and listened while the speeches were given. The hau kāinga, then the manuhiri (visitors), then back to the hau kāinga to finish with a prayer. As tikanga (protocol) requires, this was delivered all in te reo Māori. Our language, our taonga, our treasure. At the last place where it is held sacred above all else.

It was then the turn of the usual dignitaries – mayors, MPs and the like – before we closed the ceremony and removed the tapu or sacredness by sharing in a kai. The kaiwhakanoa.

The day had only just began and with over 65 food stalls and vendors, and a brilliant Nelson summer day, thousands more shared in the festivities and performances on offer and meandered between the Marae and Founders Park.

In my role as the elected Māori community representative on Nelson City Council I could not have been more proud. Honoured that Ngāti Koata held the mana of our Iwi and hapori Māori, and pride in the attendance of such a wonderful embrace from Nelsonians that made an unmistakable declaration: We are with you.

There is a whakataukī (proverb) that has stayed with me since Waitangi Day. It is a simple saying. One I’ve known my whole life. One that has never meant more to me than it does now.

Ko koe ko au, ko au ko koe. You are me and I am you.