Reflections written by Anita Edwards, Ministry of Justice.
My small existence is significant because of who I am, where I come from and where I am going—big, big potential.
First, I feel like the luckiest person to be part of the Tū Mau Mana Moana aiga. I admire all on this journey and have so much aroha and respect for everyone. I am grateful for all the work behind the scenes of which I know takes a lot and the aroha I feel is a result of those who keep the engine working.
The word CONFIDENT comes to mind when I think of my Vā Tagata journey. When I received the reading material I struggled to comprehend and felt dumb and not sure if I was meant to be on this journey. During the retreat, I saw the words appear in my vision when I listened to the speakers and conversations and it started to sink into my mind and heart. I have gone back and re-read the material which I have connected to specific situations in my life which I have been able to practice.
At the retreat our Aukilani aiga committed to meeting up in between the retreats to continue the practice of looking after this vā. We booked in time to go for a walk to Karekare falls in the Waitakere ranges with our aiga. While excited to meet with everyone, I was not looking forward to the unknown challenge ahead and how difficult the walk would be. I shared with our Aukilani aiga that I was not looking forward to the walk, but I wanted to be with everyone and experience the mauri of the place.
Reflection 1 – Mauri
Understanding this term and putting our language behind it has helped me appreciate its entirety and role I play in setting the mauri in the different vā that I am in.
I am present in the feeling and know that what will come will come. The venue of the accommodation helped to reinforce this and gave experience when the mauri is not right that it leads to conversations that are challenging and unresolvable. Dr Meyer taught me that you can feel mauri in a zoom meeting, her energy and aroha was felt from Hawaii to Auckland.
Reflection 2 – Pono given is pono received
This really hit my heart. I avoid difficult conversations, however this concept is empowering and mana enhancing. I was able to put this into practice recently, and it was received with empathy and aroha. This relationship has moved forward with a greater respect for each other and how we operate.
Here are the spaces I retreat to that connect me to my ancestral greatness; my parents grave, my home, my home in the Cook Islands and my local park.
Anita wrote this following Vā Tagata, the third retreat of seven in Tū Mau Mana Moana.
Tū means to stand, arise, be, to be upright in 48 of our languages – it is Austronesian in origin and one of our most ancient source languages. At its zenith, Tū or Kū is the archetype of humanity - of the god of war, of the realm of humankind.
Mau is in 47 of our languages and is linguistically categorised as Polynesian in origin. It refers to seeking, finding, persisting, holding on to, firmly and tightly. Mau is a well-known movement of liberation and a calling cry to reclaim power.
Together, these words create Tū Mau – to stand and hold, to be firm and seek. The approach and orientation of this programme is designed specifically for Pacific peoples seeking to lead in the public sector.
Find out more about Tū Mau Mana Moana here.