Terry Sarten: A Tale of Two Lives

OVER the past few days we have seen the media cover the deaths of two New Zealand men who have achieved much in their lifetimes.

Both were awarded honours in their particular fields and made their mark on the nation's sense of identity, yet there appeared to be distinct differences in how the media managed the stories.

One was Dr Ranginui Walker, a Maori scholar and intellectual, who challenged us all to look at our history and think. The other was Martin Crowe, a sporting great who represented New Zealand and was highly regarded in the world of international cricket.

The deaths of both Crowe and Dr Walker give pause for sadness. The one is no more or less than the other, but the media seems to have cast them in different ways with an obvious but perhaps unconscious bias inherent in the coverage.

The death of the famous cricketer has been all over the news, with many paying tribute to his sporting prowess and place in the international game.

In contrast, the media has given less prominence to Dr Walker, even though his contribution to the way New Zealand understands the path it has hewn towards nationhood has been immense.

Perhaps that is because sport is considered safer territory (unless facing a West Indian bouncer) than indigenous political and cultural understanding.

If that is indeed the reason, then with the passing of Dr Walker the challenges contained in his writing and teaching remain very much alive as a task for the nation.

I recall reading one of his books, Ka Whawhai Tonu Matou/Struggle Without End and gaining a valuable new perspective and understanding of the dynamic of colonisation and its effect on Maori. The author challenges the reader to contemplate their own "version" of history and acknowledge that there is so much to learn. If the past is a teacher, then we need to pay attention in class.

NZ's population is diversifying at an incredible speed and accepting different cultural perspectives has become an imperative. As our country expands to accommodate people from across the globe, so we must spread our arms wider to welcome greater diversity.

To do this well requires an understanding of our own history. The teachings of great thinkers such as Dr Walker create a view of the way a dominant cultural perspective can colour our understanding of the experience of others. This has enormous contemporary resonance.

In noting the passing of Dr Ranganui Walker, commentators praised his ability to walk between the Maori and Pakeha world. Indeed, this is worthy of praise but in some ways such comment serves to highlight the way that mainstream direction goes down what is too often a one-way street.

It should be a two-way dialogue, in which a dominating Pakeha world view is also willing to step into the space that is marked out as path to be walked together in partnership.

-Terry Sarten is a Whanganui-based writer, musician and social worker. Feedback always welcome: tgs@inspire.net.nz