THE WAY OF JOY

At every Te Runanga A Iwi O Ngati Kahu hui, a recurring theme and dream I hear is - let's hold a regular Ngati Kahu Festival and celebrate.

Even though the treaty claims are not yet settled, and some people are not always nice to us, joy is a much more welcome and healthier emotion than misery, and there are some seriously choice things for this iwi to celebrate - not least that we are still here. In fact when I look at our runanga and its members I am reminded of a sign that the Prophet Gordon B. Hinckley reported seeing hung by a rusty staple to a rundown barbed-wire fence in Texas. It read:

Burned out by drought

Drowned out by flud waters,

Et out by jackrabbits,

Sold out by sheriff,

Still here!

The biggest reasons to celebrate are our people. We feel justifiable pride at the continued emergence of youth like Rangi Moses (2003 Maori Sports Scholar) who will continue to shine in the academic arena, long after her feats in the sporting world have passed. We claim with pride seasoned men of strength and achievement like Hekenukumai Busby (master waka builder) and Eric Rush (double international in rugby union and sevens). And we applaud our women leaders like June McCabe and Dr Robyn Manuel.

Another cause for celebration is our influence and presence on the geography, history and demography of the Far North in our marae, maunga, awa and moana. Place names like Mangonui, Taipa, Puwheke, Rangiputa, Karikari, Oturu, Kenana, Te Paatu, Takahue, Mangataiore, Waiaua, Waiari, Toatoa, Parapara, Kohumaru, Oruru, Kareponia, Peria - these and so many others bear on-going witness to us as descendants of Kahutianui and Parata.

Then there are those things that we do that make it simply cool to be Ngati Kahu. Fishing, pig hunting, kapa haka, fishing, purakau, fishing ... you get the picture.

So, at the urging of ourselves, we are going to hld a big hooley in 2008 and celebrate. The organising sub-committee is being formed now, and if you want in on it, you can contact us on 408-3013, nkceo@xtra.co.nz or www.ngatikahu.com

On the other hand, if you think it can't be done, kei te pai tena. But please don't get in our way while we do it.

To paraphrase peace worker Doris (Granny D) Haddocks

- this is great work. Aren't we joyful for this moment, when all is at stake? We are, we are, and do not stand in the way of our joy. For what is life, if not a theatre of the soul where we might take our part for good or ill? What better thing do we have to do in these months ahead than prepare to celebrate? We will, we will, and do not stand in the way of our joy.

Hei konei. Hei kona.