Written by Robert Luisi, Ranui 135
“Tutu ka, tutu ka, manu folau, Ka helehele tipa e
Koli fakalifa e manu folau, Ka helehele tipa e
Tipa, tipa aio e ka tiale
Koli fakalifa e manu folau, ka helehele tipa e!”
This is an old Niue chant that I sung with pride as a kid. I never knew what it meant but it made me feel more Niuean when I sung it. Recently when I asked my father about its meaning, he told me a story when I just wanted a 2-minute explanation. He said the chant was so old that it was hard to translate accurately into English, but essentially it was a story of our ancestors celebrating the arrival of storm birds, as it was an indication that the storms would miss Niue. At the beginning of his story I was rolling my eyeballs (in my mind, of course) thinking here we go with another tale. By the end of it, I was extremely grateful to my father for this taonga that I can now pass on, not just as an item of performance culture, but as a piece of treasured oral history.
Va Fonua, Fanua, Fenua, ‘Enua, Whenua was the theme for Retreat Two of The Mana Moana Experience. It was an interesting venture into the unknown for everyone - being the first retreat to be held in the digital world of Zoom due to COVID-19. As I clicked my mouse to join the meeting on that first morning fearful not to be a ‘Jennifer’, I wondered could the experience of Retreat One, which was so ground-breaking, be translated into a digital vibe and imbue us with the same sense of alofa?
In short it did… kind of. As we tried to make sense of how to traverse the va, Papatuanuku was taking a breath as the world pushed pause. Sheltering from the storm in our zono, we were reminded of our connection with land and our partnership and responsibility to each other.
Our guest speakers then: Raihānia Tipoki implored us to seek a pathway into a new world by understanding who we are through nature; Professor Tina Ngata, encouraged us to be solid in our intention to stand in our incontrovertible truth as Tagata Pasifika.; and Dr Emalani Case, spoke about the depth of Hawaiian aloha, being more than the warm feelings of love, as it comes from a deeper place of ferocious protection for people and place.
Mana Moana is described as a leadership experience, and it is exactly that. It invites you to dive deep into the waves of the unknown and many times we navigate strong currents in the tides of our individual and collective pasts. In the swell of openness and vulnerability we uncover meaning and release for healing and new beginnings. It helps that the environment is one of genuine care and support, for how else could tears sit so comfortably alongside raucous laughter and alofa be felt through a computer screen. Any doubts I had going into this retreat in the time of Rahui were smashed, and that is a testament to the power of Mana Moana and the people I’m sharing this voyage with.
The storm birds are flying in, but I am awakened to the point of no return, and am compelled to act, even if it means leaving my comfort zone and walking into storms.
Did Robert’s 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