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 invited
to 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.
