“Kāore he mutunga o tēnei mea, te ako” — “There is no such thing as an ending to learning.”
Te Reo Māori, with its profound beauty and depth, is a challenge to capture in this blog fully. It’s not just a language, but a rich tapestry of culture and history that we’re only just beginning to unravel. From its meanings and pronunciations to its myths, performances and songs, it’s a journey of discovery that inspires and intrigues, inviting us to delve deeper into its intricacies and marvel at its beauty.
Symbolises the resilience, adaptability, and enduring nature of te reo Māori. It’s a call to action, highlighting the ongoing commitment to its preservation and growth for future generations. It’s a responsibility we all share, a connection that binds us to the past and future of our language and culture, and a reminder of the importance of our collective efforts in this journey.
A brief article about our tanagata Turi – John T. Rua (Ngāi Tūhoe), a Deaf Tohunga Whakairo (Master Carver).
Ngāi Tūhoe Tohunga Whakairo (Master Carver) John T Rua, dating from 1980. John has an impressive whakapapa, being the grandson of the revered Māori Prophet Rua Kēnana, and is considered a master and cultural leader in his gift of whakairo artwork, a literal ‘living treasure’ in Aotearoa. Becoming deaf at a young age led him to eventually study whakairo under the tutelage of fellow Tohunga Whakairo Hone Te Kauru Taiapa (of Ngāti Porou) and graduate with honours from the prestigious New Zealand Māori Arts and Crafts Institute in 1972 (where Hone had been appointed its first master carver in 1966). From here, John continued to develop an impressive body of work, carving thousands of individual pieces as well as working on many marae and other buildings of national significance. In 1992, the Māori community recognised his service to Aotearoa with the presentation of The Queen’s Medal. John’s work is held in private and public collections globally. Today, he lives in the Bay of Plenty area, continuing to teach whakairo as well as sign language throughout the region.
https://www.gumtree.com.au/web/listing/collectables/1315192240
A brief history about his grandfather – Rua Kēnana Hepetipa https://nzhistory.govt.nz/keyword/rua-kenana
There is another interesting Maaori tangata haua – te kaiwhakamahi tuuru wira (Maaori disabled – wheelchair user). This person is inspiring and energetic, having come home from the USA; however, he is Māori. His name is Rodney Bell, and he descends from the Ngāti Maniapoto tribe. Rodney acquired a disability as a result of a motorcycle accident as a young adult below the chest. His artistic expression demonstrates elements of traditional Māori culture, yet at the same time, he’s continually seeking new ways to enhance his creative process. https://youtu.be/tkb6eB7yAZ4?si=ineg1yfwDog9JQw6
https://youtu.be/cp9U1laiA_0?si=JUMGXM0OH5JY9PE8
Let’s move on and look at the new Māori kupu (word) in the Disability world.
Let’s explore the relationship between Te Reo Māori and Autism. One of the well-known terms is Takiwaatanga for Autism, which means ‘in my/their/his/her own time and space.’ This word reflects the Māori language’s approach to neurodiversity, emphasising the importance of allowing individuals to operate in their own unique time and space, respecting their individuality and pace of life.
Takiwaatanga is a mana-enhancing term that regards autistic people as taonga, unique individuals with gifts and strengths. Keri Opai coined the term after consultation with taangata whenua (Māori people) and taangata whaitakiwaatanga (Autistic people). It’s a celebration of diversity and a reminder of the unique contributions each individual makes to our society.
Hauātanga/whaikaha (both words are nouns) – Disability
hauāuki – (noun) permanent disability
Māori is actually not one language, and there is not really one Māori people, but many tribes (Iwi) and many different dialects and variations in the language. https://contentcatnip.com/2021/09/20/a-collection-of-maori-proverbs/
A well-known Māori proverb about perseverance is “Whāia te iti kahurangi, ki te tūohu koe, me he maunga teitei,” which translates to “Seek the treasure you value most dearly, but if you must bow your head, let it be to a lofty mountain”.
This saying encourages people to aim high, pursue their goals with great effort and resilience, and only to give in when faced with a truly formidable obstacle, symbolising perseverance and tenacity.
Karekau he arai mo te hunga haua Maori katoa ki te uru atu ki nga mahi whakaari, kapa haka me etahi atu mahi puta noa i Aotearoa. Ka taea e ratou te mahi i nga mea katoa hei whakaatu i te riterite o o tatou hapori.
In English – There are no barriers for all Māori disabled people to participate in performances, kapa haka, and other activities across New Zealand. They can do anything to demonstrate our communities’ equality.
Life in Eureka 