Rangatiratanga (stewardship) and kaitiakitanga (custodial care) are commonly held notions of Maori lore, law and life. Underpinned by customary foundations and principles , they are essentially key drivers for the collective aspirations of Maori.
Within this world, whakapapa (genealogy) is the core transmitter of our spiritual, physical and elemental resources. The management of these resources and the inter-relationships within and between them, ensures the political, cultural and economic wealth and health of successive generations.
Fundamental to the balance of these resources, is Papatuanuku-Earth Mother, the feminine principle, nurturer, source of food and nourishment, te whenua- the land.
Traditional Maori tribal society is generally structured as whanau(family), hapu ( large kin groups of families) and the tribe or Iwi ( groups of hapu), all are linked through whakapapa to an eponymous ancestor/s)
Tribal settlement of the islands spans centuries and previous Polynesian migrations recorded in whaikorero, waiata and whakapapa, tell the ancient histories of the current mix of people who share ancestral links to tupuna from Hawaiki. The current descendants also trace whakapapa links to Taranaki.
As discussed earlier, the pressure of inter -tribal conflict, and wars and new settlors forced tribes to find new territory. The Chathams heke was lead by well known leaders with kin links to well known warrior leaders such as Toarangatira, grandson of Mutunga, Te Rauparaha and Rangihaeta ( second husband of Wi Naera' Pomare's mother) but it is the testimonies of Rakatau and Toenga at the 1870 Maori Land Court Hearings on the Chatham Islands, that give us an insight into the minds of the Taranaki leaders of the time.
" We have come from Taranaki to Kapiti in accordance with a previous arrangement that we should go and take possession of lands. Thence to Queen Charlotte Sound, thence to Banks Peninsula and Otago. Some of our party went in whale ships and returned telling about the place . And we held meetings and discussions. The question whether we should come here or not. We came to the Chatham Islands and took possession. I took possession of these lands,as was the custom..."
"I am the oldest man , I came from Taranaki. I formed a wish to come here. . i came from Taranaki to Kapiti. I took possession of Kapiti and then Wellington. Part of my tribe went south across the straits to Queen Charlotte Sound and that land was taken, and we came to the Chatham islands and we took possession of the Chatham Islands."
Despite the challenges to its validity in recent times, the conquest was defining in terms of the status and mana of Mutunga on the islands. As was the custom of conquest throughout the world, the conquered were absorbed into the new order and over the intervening 150 years, a peaceful co-existence was built. There are many testimonies of this phenomena.,the most significant one in recent times is that of Charles Preece. (see previous posting).
As land wars, settlor companies and new governing rules continued to bring changes , Mutunga continued to live in a world much larger then the Chathams. They had to keep up with the new government regulations ,political changes and to maintain political links with other tribes especially Taranaki.
" Te Whiti was well supplied with eels by his Chatham Island adherents. 2000 were caught in one small lake and hung up to dry. 5000 from another required 14 bullocks to drag them to the surf boat to be shipped in Hood's vessel, the 'Omaha'. Altogether the Maori exported 20,000in February alone, followed by huge quantities of grey duck and swan, then mutton birds and young albatross. Deputations of food and money regularly went from the Chathams to Parihaka taking gifts of food and money."
Nevertheless, land loss, new governance and global economic readjustments over the years, brought great changes for whanau, hapu and iwi throughout Aotearoa. It resulted in tremendous shifts in the political, cultural and socio-economic life of Maori. and different relationships and management systems evolved as tribes adjusted to the significant changes wrought by history. The impact of these changes can be clearly viewed in the current political, social and economic environment of the Chatham Islands. It is a mess!
Evidence abounds in the Waitangi Tribunal and other forums, showing that since 1842, government administration of the Islands has been one of indifference and neglect.
But what can one do when a fundamental premise of service and priority of the governing system is based upon population. Chatham Island Maori is 1% of the NZ Maori population and 0.0% of NZ's total population so we ought not to expect that government or anyone else for that matter, will take much notice of any call for anything really!
But there is the matter of the $6 million pay out that remains a mystery.
However, what I know about change is that there is always opportunity for better things to come.
"A positive future cannot emerge from the mind of anger or despair"
~ Dalai Lama
History can be changed in a moment but it needs people to take responsibility for what is happening now - and we all must carry some responsibility.
It did not have to happen this way.
The past 30 years has has seen mega wealth produced from our waters - but what is there to show for it ? what was the return to the islands? Where did it go to?
As the global financial and economic crash continues , our islands ought to be a safe haven to nurture the tribe, instead of a hell for failing businesses and desperate & stressed whanau..
It will not take much to turn things around BUT we must do it as a team. No person can survive on their own on that Island in the current financial climate. No one person can make things happen on their own. You have to do it together as one tribal community.
Governments come and governments change, but communities are formed and made successful by people, not governments
" This achievement is larger than any individual. While individual projects can be completed, the sum is so much greater than its parts. Learn to see yourself not on where you have reached, but on the Path you are traveling. ..."
And so I can only do my part.
I started this paepae at the beginning of January, to communicate with you and others because I was concerned at the lack of information coming out to members of Ngati Mutunga o Wharekauri.
I was also deeply concerned about the destruction of the Runanga, its assets and Treaty negotiations and the opportunities that were lost, for economic development and education services to the islands, because of internal political & economic ignorance, greed and ego. If you had picked up the option to build a meatworks, you would have been up and running now, with alternative power units in place - for $2 million dollars approx.
Dare I mention the $6 million 'Find me Fund " again ? where is it and what is it being used for? Does anyone know ?
Who gets the benefits and how many are on the register to justify such a huge a government handout ? Is that why they need the whakapapa of our Kuia Ngahiwi Dix to fill up their waka?That was just a little less then the $8 million government allocated to set up what is now the Enterprise Trust , back in the days of devoution. !
Anyway, back to the case:
The lack of skill and knowledge of those "controlling' others in charge of the organisations , on how to make proper financial and management decisions, coupled with the closed, rigid attitude against seeking skilled help when it is obvious things are going wrong, is a major factor contributing to the lack of growth within our whanau and Iwi. The case is an example of a bad decision made out of ignorance and egoism and the damage that it has caused, is probably irreparable.
Someone has to say it up front & you may hate me for doing so, but it needs to be said and faced. We are here to leave a legacy for our mokopuna, not a mess.
We have not inherited the world from our forefathers.
We have borrowed it from our children."~ Kashmiri proverb
I previously told you I would put the statement of claim for the case on the site ( " Evelyn Tuuta vs Te Runanga o Wharekauri Rekohu..") that is to be heard on April 1, in Wellington. [ If I knew how to do the technology, I would, but I can't . So if anyone can tell me - i would be grateful. I am no techie! Just email me at the blog e90249@gmail.com ]
What I can tell you is this.
This whole case did not have to happen. There has been two years of doing nothing based upon a statement that the Runanga was insolvent -it wasn't. I took a case for wrongful dismissal and won. They refused to sign off the settlement agreement , dragged out responding and still haven't signed it off. ; I had no choice but to challenge for such wrong doings and there are many. While doing the case I have had to go on a benefit because the impact has been so stressful. I have lost all my assets and have borrowed from 2 family members to help pay my bills. My car under threat and I am living with my daughter until I can find somewhere to stay while I do this case.
And now I see they want to negotiate an agreement on a settlement for this case. FOR WHAT?
So why have I told you all this about my situation?
Because real stories of history are about what happens to the people in the middle of the conflicts. it is not what the learned student writes , seeking information to expand their knowledge so that they may embellish their prowess in the famed halls of cerebral longdrops.
It's about those who are not clear and may have never even thought about visions for the future or simply don't care.
The world is abound with evidence of people in positions of power who control and make decisions that destroy the lives of families and communities - just like the Chathams.
Real stories of history are about ordinary people , families and communities having to survive against all odds ,the egoism and destructive power of individuals who seek to empower themselves. above the good for all people.
"So What do you think I should do - negotiate? '
"What would you do if you were me ?
Do you think they deserve to have a day in court to have a proper yarn about what went wrong ?
Who knows, we might all learn something and that maybe a good thing
If there was any other way of getting information out to you or if hui were being held to inform you of what has been happening, I would not be doing this . There is, however, no other way to inform you or seek your opinion on matters that affect your Iwi.
Please feel free to Email or write what you think in a comment section below.
Cheers
Evelyn
e90249@gmail.com
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