Nicola Patrick: Poised and unaffected, Ardern rules Waitangi Day

Breakfast is served by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern at a Waitangi Day barbecue

I'm sitting down to write my column on a peaceful evening with a peach-coloured sunset, golden light and a very slight breeze.

The stifling heat of the past few weeks has passed and cooler evenings are offering respite and easier sleep. My boys are in bed and the levels of horror they have inflicted on each other has been relatively minor tonight.

This atmosphere feels good. It makes me want to quote one of my favourite movies, The Castle - "How's the serenity?"

Waitangi Day has had a fresh feeling for me this year, too ... I think it's a combination of pride and relief. Our Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern committing to five days at Waitangi and speaking with such eloquence, from the heart, was fresh and much-needed.

I was at Rātana recently when she spoke. Even before I learned she was pregnant, I was blown away by her stamina, poise and unaffected style.

The respectful approach taken this year has meant even this week's revolting Bob Jones column, since withdrawn from the online NBR, hasn't dented my mood. There is change coming and it's positive and exciting.

As @sharkpatu put it on Twitter: "Such a different vibe this Waitangi. It's almost like all you need to do is listen and be respectful of historical grievance for ppl to feel reassured and not throw stuff at you.

"Who could have predicted such a thing?!"

My comfort is not about the lack of protest at Waitangi this year, though. We need non-violent activism - there would be so little progress without people standing up.

I thought of the late great Dr Chris Cresswell this Waitangi Day as I visited Pākaitore. Chris' tangi was held there just over a year ago and he was a person who stood up for what he believed in.

But not everyone has the activist gene - what can you do as a small step? I reckon working on pronunciation is a good place to start. A few years ago I decided to let go of my bad habits - Taupo is now toe-paw, and Waitangi is why-tongue-ee. Just practise and self-correct until you get used to it.

I've gone further this year and, along with my workmates, will be studying te reo. It will be the fourth time I've tried - I can't even say "third time lucky".

"I'm hoping this time, studying with people I can practise with at work and who regularly speak te reo, it will finally stick.

The next thing I'm looking for this year is more Māori wards in local government. Unfortunately, we recently lost that vote at Horizons, so it's likely to be another three years before it's raised again, but I'm watching with hope that our neighbours in Palmerston North City and Manawatū District councils get their wards through.

For me, formalised Māori places around the tables are not only about increasing representation and all the benefits that flow from having more inclusive decision-making. It's about a step towards shared governance - a step closer to what was originally imagined when the Treaty of Waitangi was signed.

I've been fortunate over the years to have exposure to the Treaty and New Zealand history from a Māori perspective.

Working at the Department of Conservation helped, as does working for an iwi now, but the foundation was set here in 1990. It was the 150th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty and I represented my school at hui learning about the Treaty.

If you'd rather talk than read a history book, we have two experienced Treaty trainers in Whanganui - David James and Jillian Wychel.

If your organisation or group wants to host training, I'll introduce you. Deepening understanding of our country's history is a worthwhile journey.

As Jamaican political leader Marcus Garvey said: "A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin and culture, is like a tree without roots."

We need our roots.

■Nicola Patrick is a Horizons regional councillor, works for Te Kaahui o Rauru and is part of a new social enterprise hub, Thrive. A mother of two boys, she has a science degree and is a Green Party member.