Just ordinary people
I see myself as Willy Apiata. Just an ordinary person...
These words were brought to life this weekend at Waitangi. When Corporal Willie Apiata VC was formally welcomed by the iwi of Tai Tokerau. Words of welcome, praise and honour were bestowed upon him at his hokinga mai ki te kainga. Taonga whakairo, toi, whakaahua and song were gifted with respect and aroha to honour his achievement and tell him we were proud of him.
What struck me about his visit was the way in which he responded instinctively to every situation, whether formal or informal, with the composure of a public personality, use to the intrusiveness of public gaze and the vagaries of Maori protocol. You get a sense that it is this same instinctiveness that saw him pick up his fellow solider and carry him to safety. As Apiata moved around the marae among the people, his presence created a ripple of joyous titter and brought audible sighs of wonderment, from young and old. A real-life Maori hero among us made it feel really good to be a Maori.
On Friday, Maori SIDS farewelled our very own hero, Riripeti Haretuku, after 14 years of dedicated and committed service to Maori child health. It was fitting that a number of her mentors and colleagues gathered to gift her words of appreciation, honour, respect and aroha. In her words, she too is just an ordinary person. But those who know Riripeti and of her work also know that she is resolute and determined to make a real difference for tamariki Maori. And will go to and do whatever it takes to get the job done.
Like Apiata she too moves instinctively with seeming ease in all sorts of situations. Whether its challenging politicians, encouraging colleagues, strategizing with planners, consoling SIDS whanau in grief, listening and being with kaumatua or just hanging with her mates and whanau. Riripeti creates a titter wherever she goes. She makes me proud to be Maori.
When we sent out her panui one reply received asked “is there a BTW?” The answer to that is “Watch this space”. Because like the “Hotel California” – in Maori SIDS you can book out, but you never really leave.
These words were brought to life this weekend at Waitangi. When Corporal Willie Apiata VC was formally welcomed by the iwi of Tai Tokerau. Words of welcome, praise and honour were bestowed upon him at his hokinga mai ki te kainga. Taonga whakairo, toi, whakaahua and song were gifted with respect and aroha to honour his achievement and tell him we were proud of him.
What struck me about his visit was the way in which he responded instinctively to every situation, whether formal or informal, with the composure of a public personality, use to the intrusiveness of public gaze and the vagaries of Maori protocol. You get a sense that it is this same instinctiveness that saw him pick up his fellow solider and carry him to safety. As Apiata moved around the marae among the people, his presence created a ripple of joyous titter and brought audible sighs of wonderment, from young and old. A real-life Maori hero among us made it feel really good to be a Maori.
On Friday, Maori SIDS farewelled our very own hero, Riripeti Haretuku, after 14 years of dedicated and committed service to Maori child health. It was fitting that a number of her mentors and colleagues gathered to gift her words of appreciation, honour, respect and aroha. In her words, she too is just an ordinary person. But those who know Riripeti and of her work also know that she is resolute and determined to make a real difference for tamariki Maori. And will go to and do whatever it takes to get the job done.
Like Apiata she too moves instinctively with seeming ease in all sorts of situations. Whether its challenging politicians, encouraging colleagues, strategizing with planners, consoling SIDS whanau in grief, listening and being with kaumatua or just hanging with her mates and whanau. Riripeti creates a titter wherever she goes. She makes me proud to be Maori.
When we sent out her panui one reply received asked “is there a BTW?” The answer to that is “Watch this space”. Because like the “Hotel California” – in Maori SIDS you can book out, but you never really leave.
Pauline Hopa
posted by Maori SIDS at
3:26 PM
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