If people are the most important thing, then relationships are an essential way to keep them connected.
Over the past few weeks, we have attended many amazing hui where relationships have been just as important as the kaupapa of the meeting.
One example was last week when we were invitedto speak to teachers and principals from the Wellington, Te Upoko o te Ika area at the marae of Te Rauparaha in Porirua.
Although our korero was about supporting Maori student success, it was nice to see Darrell Waiti, who grew up in Mourea, and to talk about my Uncle Manihera and Aunty Tina, whom he had attended school with. We had a choice catch-up, fondly recalling how every kid from Mourea had to know how to swim across the Ohau Channel and back and it was a good chance to let him know about the upcoming Ohau Maori Youth Group 50th Jubilee coming up in November as well.
Then I met up with Paora Howe, who spent his youth in Whakarewarewa. We talked about his grandfather who played Tutanekai in a movie and his memories around making bows and arrows from ferns. He talked about his love for growing up on the marae and we laughed about being told off by some of the kuia.
These connections are cool as they help to bring our lives a little bit closer together.
Last week, I was honoured to be invited to attend the graduation of whanau from the Computers in Homes programme. I was inspired to hear about the training and support given and could see the smiles on the faces of parents and tamariki alike. As a kid, a computer in our home was unthinkable because of the cost, so it is nice this initiative has come to Rotorua. Another bonus was to see Mr Griffin there, who was a teacher at Sunset Intermediate when I was a young fulla.
In closing, kei te mihi aroha ki te whanau a kuia Rose Matthews. I briefly joined our whanau at Tunohopu marae as they awaited the arrival of the ope from Maketu and though the occasion was sad and solemn, it was touching to hear some of the stories of her life.
The way our kuia spoke and the precious memories shared by whanau about he taonga wahine just confirmed to me that yes people are important but we should always strive to create lasting personal relationships as well.
