GRADUANDS’ SPEECH
Dr. Cherie Chu-Fuluifaga; Titiimaea Eugene Elisara; Tuiloma Gayle Lafaiali'i; Sione Taunga; Shimpal Lelisi; Emelita Rosita Simeaanamulu Luisi and Ma'ara Maeva
on behalf of the Class of 2019, The Mana Moana Experience
On behalf of the Class of 2019, we share our experiential reflections. In this time and space, we acknowledge the gift from Mana Moana of being equipped with gorgeous tools. These tools are allowing us to dive into exquisite cultural spaces and flow ambitiously in and out of metaphorical imageries. We are learning how to transgress deeply internalised boundaries. We are valuing our evolving identities within traditional and modern paradigms. We are navigating our intellectual stewardship and ideologies. We are participating in creative modalities. We are regaining a consciousness and acceptance of our ancestral narratives. And yes - we are tending to our lives with assiduous attention.
Eugene begins our reflections.
At the time of writing, our 2019 Cohort has only been together for 15 days. And the aroha and wairua within this aiga are deep and strong. Deeper and stronger than the work and personal relationships that some of us have had for years. Mana Moana equips us to be more effective and positive in a modern world: for ourselves, our aiga, our workspaces. And our communities. The theme of the retreat was Va Tupuna. It allowed us to reflect on legacies that we knew about and others we had to discover for ourselves. The deep words of knowledge and wisdom from our rangatira guest speakers helped propel our vaka forward. The resonance of those words still felt much later. They guided and informed our navigation as we negotiated major and significant waypoints, changing the speed and direction of our individual and collective vakas through other retreats. I have borrowed the following proverb from our tuakana to represent this retreat. “E kore au e ngaro, he kākano i ruia mai i Rangiātea.” I will never be lost, for I am a seed sown in Rangiātea. ...… all Pasifika descend from Rangiātea. The realised promise of Retreat One was that our Mana Moana journey would be a learning path. Within and without. To define our identity by claiming a legacy.
At this point we are reclaiming our legacies that returns us to Va Fenua where Gayle writes on our immersion and relational retreat with Tangata Whenua.
Hosted at Kohewhata Marae in Kaikohe, we were blessed by the whanau of Ted and Betty Wihongi. We began our retreat by visiting the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, where we received a guided tour and were able to plant our feet; the grounding exercise was for many a new insight into one of the many relational va, offering us a place and space of connection and peace. Further contributing to our connecting with Va Fenua, a visit to Lake Omapere and Ngawha Hot Springs topped of a wonderful day (off came the shoes). A thoughtful and purposeful connection to the land, sea and sky were offered. Whaea Moe Milne (Ngati Hine) was food for the soul and delight for the mind as she challenged us to consider how we get past “warm Pacific greetings”. Upon our departure, we stopped at the foot of giants and spent time communing with Tane Mahuta at Waipoua Forest, an apt end to our enlightenment about connecting with Va Fenua.
The transition from Va Fenua to Va Moana takes more than movement of body – it requires a movement of our minds and souls. Here, Sione reflects on Retreat Three.
I have heard many times that: “In order to know where you are going, you must first know where you have been.” Retreat Three with the theme of Va Moana was for me a time to reflect in order to project. We examined the importance of navigating how our ancestors traversed the world’s largest ocean, navigating one’s life, and letting go of things that are no longer needed in our respective vaka. The wisdom and knowledge shared from honoured guests and Mana Moana alumni highlighted resilience, perseverance, sacrifice and the importance of remembering to ‘be still’ and reflect. In a time where it seems as though life is moving so quickly, the ability and importance of navigating with lessons from those who have gone before us are still applicable and relevant as the principles are timeless. I know where I am going because I know where I am from.
As we disembark from our vaka, Shimpal’s reflection takes us back to the complex challenges of power, politics and influence in the people – Va Tagata.
Retreat Four marked the half-way point of our Mana Moana journey. AUT South in Manukau, Auckland was a great location. The focus on this retreat was Va Tagata. The concepts related to the va of our human relationships. The realm of the interpersonal - politics, power, influence…Let’s just say these were placed to the side to address the elephant in the room - Ihumātao. Our location on Great South Road was originally made by the British to help take away lands whose return was now being fought only 15 minutes up the road. Our group was in two minds about a visit, and in what capacity? Some would say an ideal situation to effect teachings learnt so far. Others said we should stay in our lanes. There was robust but respectful discussion, and I felt encouraged not to take sides, but to respect others and my own convictions. Our retreat was adjusted to support a friend attend a funeral. It also gave those who wanted to go to Ihumātao the chance to do so and make up their own minds. From personal stances on Ihumātao, we explored the va of human relationships. We were exposed to the passions of those still in the struggle at a critical point in the fight. We experienced the sadness when one loses someone dear and the comfort it draws. Human relationships on different levels rooted in humanity.
As our journeys are filling with a strong sense of hope – Emelitai realigns us with a gentle narrative to guide us along the path/ala with her personal account.
For Retreat Five, our Vaka voyaged to beautiful Ngaruawahia, to the Waikato/Tainui College for Research and Development. As we approach the impending end of our time together as the Mana Moana 2019 Cohort, it feels right to think about road ahead. Va Ala/Ara/Hala – The Pathway and where to, for one and all. What have we learned thus far? Each path of every participant to this point has been challenged, each path we know will continue to be challenged. With many a Kava bowls consumed and the Circle from all Manavas’ now finally complete, it feels our sacred ceremonial circles continue to strengthen as we sip, as we shed layers and come bearing ourselves to one another, trusting one another and trusting that we can lead strong, together, out of complex places. Along each Hala | Ala | Ara, there have been deep pains, deep healing, deep learnings, deep connections; all obligatory claims as we begin to stand tall, in our Mana as better connected, Daring Leaders of our families and our communities o Tangata o Te Moana-nui-a-Kiwa.
We have much to learn from the old ways, to clear the pathways forward in increasingly complex modern societies, but perhaps navigating the multifaceted Ala/Ara/hala is simpler than we’ve realised. Retuning our Mauli/Mauri to the deeper wisdom of our ancestors and our ancient teachers the Manu, Fonua, Le Lagi, Lologo, Siva, le Vai, Tatau, le Moana, Mauna, Fetu, te Marama, Afaa to the stillness; Yes that’s a Rhythm!! It allows us to receive wisdom, search for wisdom - Tofa Sa’ili and as our readings indicate to “access the Pasifika Indigenous reference that has always incorporated the seen and unseen, the living and the dead,” to strengthen, bless and safeguard our journeys ahead. With one final retreat to come, the Ara will find us all, in its own destined time.
Finally, as time draws us to a closer awareness of ourselves, Ma`ara assists us to traverse the penultimate phase of reflection. These are significant, intrepid and heart-warming thoughts to carry us along.
We have had the time to connect with each other and develop relationships among ourselves. Our guiding story has allowed us to explore Pacific cosmogony and the beginning of our universe and how it shapes and or challenges our thinking in this modern age. In the words of Albert Wendt “we are what we remember.” We have been challenged to be more conscious about our relationship to ‘fonua’ – to be present in the real-world matters of global warming, extinction of species, coral die-off and ocean acidification. Last but not least, we know that as people of the greatest ocean on earth we are constantly challenged or reminded of various ancestral knowledge about waves and tides.
Did this story resonate with you? This is one of many courageous, enriching and impactful journeys on The Mana Moana Experience.
Are you a mid-career Pasifika leader who cares for the future of New Zealand? Do you know someone who is? Applications for our 2021 Experience are OPEN NOW. https://www.leadershipnz.co.nz/applications-faqs