He rāngai maomao i taku ki tua o Nukutaurua, e kore a muri e hokia.
“A shoal of maomao (fish) that gets beyond Nukutaurua (a reef outside
Mangōnui harbour) will never return.”
This hakatauki refers to our departed and are the words spoken by the
Ngāti Awa rangatira, Kauri, to his people who had settled and married into
Ngāti Kahu and did not want him to return home.
His reply was to explain to his people that he was resolute in his
decision to leave.
Kauri could not stay in Ngāti Kahu because he was not from here and he
wanted to take his people home where they belonged. So, he moved all the kōiwi (bones) of his people from Pārakerake (a mountain between Parapara and
Aurere) in preparation for his and their return, and likened himself to the
maomao beyond Nukutaurua reef; once he passed it, he would never look
back. And, indeed, Kauri never returned
to Ngāti Kahu.
This hakatauki has been used to encourage Ngāti Kahu and others to be
resolute in our decision making; to set a goal and not waiver from it until it
is completed.
It has also been applied to the irrevocable passing of the years which, in
New Zealand, are marked according to the Julian calendar that starts 1st of
January and ends 31st December.
But in Aotearoa there are close to 400 maramataka (calendars). Each one takes into account the different times,
seasons, climates and energies of each locale and each day is marked according
to the cycle of the marama (moon). So
each day of that cycle has a specific name which is a metaphor for the kinds of
activities that will suit its specific time, season, climate and energy. Each maramtaka is a scientifically logical
matrix based on centuries of observation and experience that works.
For those who work directly in te taiao (the natural environment), the
correct maramataka for their locale is an especially great boon and blessing that
passes on to all who consume or rely upon what we produce.
In terms of productivity, I find the maramataka
more useful than the calendar. Engari, I
have learnt to live a synthesis of both.
According to our local maramataka of Ngāti Kahu,we are in the season of
Raumati (summer) and the marama (month) of Hakihea; Christmas Day will be
Rakaumatohi and New Year’s Day in Kohitatea (January) will be Tangaroa a Roto,
both high energy days. Hei aha! Whatever we choose to do on those days and regardless
of which maramataka we choose to follow, once every day passes beyond
Nukutaurua, it will never return.
Tae noa ki te hakatau ano mātou, ma te Atua e manaaki e tiaki i ngā wā katoa. (Until we meet again, may the God of your understanding bless
and keep you at all times.)
