Knock knock. “Who's there?” Hi it's Tanith. I'm back like scoliosis. Can I please take a moment of your time to talk about our lord and saviour Captain James Cook?
This tale is about “The passion of Cook”, the greatest true story ever told. History began with the arrival of the Endeavour at Turanga-nui-a-Ruamatua. In the beginning 252 years ago there was Captain James Cook. He separated the light from the darkness and created Maori in his image. 3-BC (Before Cook) the grand-wizard Te Toiroa Ikariki began singing “You better watch out, you better not cry, you better not pout I'm telling you why — Captain Cook is comin' to town!” But the people didn't understand Toiroa's riddles. Toiroa predicted that the sea drift would be spread across the land bringing a New God to these shores, a good God, but the people would become lost. That God was Captain Cook almighty. In the book of Polack, this “. . . house full of divinities” arrived in the Year-0 anno domini nostri Iacomus Coquus (Year-0 in the year of our lord James Cook).
Cook sent amongst the people of Turanga two angels, Charles Green and Joseph Banks. But they found only wickedness and the people needed to be “Instantly punish'd”. The lord rained down judgement upon the people of Turanga: FIRE! “Father, please forgive us for we know not what we do.” FIRE! FIREEE! For three days the Captain rained brimstone and fire upon Te Maro, Te Rakau and a number of children fishing. He did not discriminate, young or old, innocent or guilty, for all had fallen short of the glory of Cook . . .
Whenever Cook was around people, he understood what their real needs were, more than they did themselves; “they would very soon be supply'd not only with the necessaries but many of the luxuries of life”. Cook of the Old Testament was retributive but Cook in the New Testament was compassionate. James was gentle. There were certainly times when he used stern words, but he knew when gentleness was appropriate. Ropata Wahawaha once told a story of Cook's words of kindness: “Tatare, Tatare give me some provisions” and the provisions were given. From this act came the words of Captain Cook, “Ko Tatare, Ko Tatare he Rangatira!' (Tatare, Tatare is a chief!') James Cook had no lack of commitment whatsoever, wherever he was, or whoever he was with — he was fully in the moment and fully committed to his goals. He succeeded where Tasman failed.
Cook was the ultimate servant and praised as a great teacher. Despite having the opportunity to get anything he wanted, he did the exact opposite. He gave and taught people to grow food and in his humility he bestowed the name Kokorutanga-kai-kore (Poverty Bay). He was a kind, gentle and misunderstood soul who only wanted to discover and civilise stone-aged savages and introduce them to the lead shot and steel cutlass.
