Since I last blogged, the world has kind of imploded. Trump was elected. That three-word sentence punches my gut with every syllable. David Seymour has carried the Treaty Principles Bill to its first hearing. My words struggle in the shallow waters of my patience for this man and his twisted vision of what Aotearoa should be. I’m sorry to get political. I’m sorry to point out the glaring, rampant, overwhelmingly abhorrent prejudices that have lifted these men to positions of power.
So I won’t.
I will point to some of the many ways in which we can fight back, without vitriol, without violence, without hate, but with what we have in our kete – mana, aroha, kotahitanga.
This week, Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke stood in parliament and tore Seymour’s bill in two. Her haka has struck at the soul of millions around the world.
Thousands across our land have gathered in a hīkoi of togetherness in opposition to the Treaty Principles Bill. Ngāmotu, where I live, was unfortunately not on the hīkoi path but we still came together, unified in upholding the true tiriti. Walking with my youngest daughter, hearing her shout “Toitū te tiriti!” was something I will never forget, something that is wrapped around my heart forever now.
I have taken so much comfort in the creativity of artists who have weaponised their art for good. Our poets, our storytellers, our playwrights, our performers, our actors, dancers and speechmakers. I have drunk in their words and visions and felt that even though it feels like our country is alight with hatred, we are dulling these sparks with our own flames, burning fires of aroha, tino rangatiratanga, mana.
I am so incredibly proud.
If you’re struggling to see the good in your newsfeed, seek out our artists. Here are just a few examples that have sailed me high above the hatred over the past few weeks:
- Watching Ka Whawhai Tonu and having the opportunity to korero with scriptwriter, Tim Worrall and director, Mike Jonathan, about their vision and their process for working with numerous iwi to faithfully reproduce this incredible event. Everything about this film sings; it is visually spectacular, the story is woven with so much mana and the talent of the leading rangatahi is just awesome.
- Attending Kupu festival and being surrounded by those whose words have paved the way for the rest of us. To sit in Tamatekapua at Ohinemutu, in the presence of Ngāhuia te Awekotukua and hear her beautiful voice telling her own stories of taking a stand is something I was so grateful to experience.
- Buying Dear Moko by Dr Hinemoa Elder for my daughter and breathing in the wisdom of the whakataukī myself first.
- Nadine Hura’s blog in response to the haka that was heard around the world: The haka you just watched was set in motion decades ago (some context for international audiences)
- Toitū Hauora’s podcast with Eboni Waitere and Pania Tahau Hodges who speak about the importance of supporting Māori writers and protecting our matauranga: S01E08 Eboni Waitere & Pania Tahau Hodges – Toitū Hauora Podcast Season 1 | Podcast on Spotify
- I am a very recent subscriber to TikTok. After assuring everyone that as Gen X I am not the target market I am actually loving scrolling through an algorithm that somehow knows I love to watch kapa haka, stitch-ups of gormless politicians, ballet, dogs with funny voiceovers and anything about books. It’s an emotional rollercoaster but the hate hasn’t found its way into my ‘for you’ feed and that’s the way I like it.
I have so much hope for this country. Our power as a people is everything. Our tamariki are watching us, and if they need to, they’ll be ready one day too.
Ngā mihi nui,
Steph
P.S Since my first blog was posted: My words will not be ashes – Māori Literature Trust a number of people have reached out to me to express their support and care. It’s been really lovely and very appreciated. Thank you so much. If you haven’t read it yet, or the amazing posts from my fellow Te Papa Tupu writers, why not? We’ve got all the words over here. Arohanui!
