Koroneihana 2014 Kia Ora Koutou. Every year I have made it a point of attending the Koroneihana in Ngaruawahia, Turangawaewae. Why? As far back as I can remember my family was either organizing catering in Kimiora or selling pies, sandwiches on the football field, all to support the koroneihana. Every year my parents would drag me along with them and drop me of where ever. Obviously thier focus was on the tasks there parents had aligned to all her brothers and sisters.I would wake never knowing whose house I was in. The common places were Aunty Runi- Tahapehi, Scotty Richards and Greasy Moses Poutapu. There was that period when I went to boarding school and moving to Australia for work where I personally missed attending the Koroneihana but had members of the family present and continuing on with the roles our parents had left. Once I was settled in Perth I then took the journey back home to Koroneihana. Now in Melbourne, a little closer, there has not been any difficulty in crossing the Tasman, thus far. Prior to attending this year’s Koroneiohana I received a call saying Rakaumanga Kura and won the Kapahaka competitions. I was able to view the video of their performance and saw the performance was different to what one would normally expect. I think being different keeps the judges on their toes. I then heard and saw on Facebook Taniwharau Rugby League had won the Rugby League competitions for a second time. What I had noticed in both instances was the confidence and the display of pride. They all had belief in themselves. Whether they were young or not that confidence stood out. All the participants in both groups would have been grounded in who they were and where they come from. Achievements of any sort has to be a morale booster. Fantastic. I just could not help but think of Robert Mahuta because of what he had created for our people. The opportunities that are available and the achievements of so many of our whanau could not go unmentioned. Every time I look at Hokioi Magazine there are array of achievements . I was one of those who lacked confidence when I left home for Australia. I gained confidence through the roles I played in the workplace, creating and managing community projects and others and following the leadership of our whanau.. I caught up with Barry Maipi last Christmas 2013 and he said to me, “Hey mate, when you lived back here, you were quiet and never said boo. Now, you are actually saying a few words. I suppose, living in Australia and going home I am able to compare our whanau in Australia and what is happening back home. It would be awesome if our Rangatahi here in Australia could take advantage of those opportunities back on their Marae to give them a better start in their lives, for their future. I have just returned from the Koroneihana. My duties lay in Kimiora. Thanks to Dave Thompson who said to me, “Hey mate. put this uniform on and make yourself useful.” I am there, like all our whanau who undertake similar tasks in kimiora to acknowledge all our uncles, aunties and whanau who have given of their time to tautoko the cause and set a pathway for us to follow. Back in the days, they didn’t have the technology to cook or heat water. They did things the hard way. They devoted themselves to the kaupapa to the end. We acknowledge them by continuing on the great work they did. As the years have gone by the detailed operations has changed in Kimiora to make things flow from the cooks, food servers, ushers on the floor, ushers at the door, All the supervisors are expected to use ear phones to communicate.Hmm. Having our tamariki working as ushers in kimiora is another bonus in terms of discipline they display. It is a wonder where ever I have gone, Tainui have always been involved with catering for the people. I always look forward to seeing the kaumatuas coming through the door for dinner. They are whanau anyway. Any missing faces you know what has happened. Once I venture outside the kimiora doors you have to go with the changes. A lot of top kapahaka groups presenting fantastic waiata. All in all I enjoyed this year’s Koroneihana for whatever reason even though I had got my dates wrong and had to leave a little early. I would like to acknowledge the Maori Wardens who come from different parts of NZ to support the kaupapa. They work 3 shifts to which they work diligently. To see the first traffic controller is an awesome sight. Then there are Wardens who help the Kaumatuas. It was again great to see Rangatahi in their team. Fantastic mahi. They are volunteers and do a great job, Last of all, Tainui are just the Kaitiaki to the Kingitanga.
Posted on: Tue, 07 Oct 2014 11:15:32 +0000
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