Koroneihana
Authenticity and the FIGJAM PM.
Purea nei e te hau
Horoia e te ua
Whitiwhitia e te ra
Mahea ake nga pōraruraru
Makere ana nga here.
Cleansed by the wind
washed by the rain
and warmed by the sun,
cleared away are all troubles
and all restraints got rid of.
Song: Hirini Melbourne.
Koroneihana
What a refreshing change. To see leadership that was respectful and honoured tradition, people who know that it is people who matter.
It wasn’t from our politicians; they weren’t there, and I was glad. Watching the news last night, I felt quite emotional and posted:
Great coverage on 1 News of events at Tūrangawaewae today. It made me feel so ashamed of this government.
Thousands had come to Ngāruawāhia for a week of events to acknowledge the first anniversary of Te Arikinui Kuini Nga wai hono i te po as the Māori queen. On Friday, she will make her first public speech since the passing of her father, the late King Tuheitia.
Yesterday was for Tainui, with people carrying framed photographs of those who died in the last year.
It reminded me of the day the Hīkoi arrived at parliament, when there were similar scenes with people around me holding photos of loved ones to remember and to be present.
From 1News:
One woman held two photos - one of her dad, who died in March, the other of her niece, who died suddenly last month.
The woman said, despite shaking, it was “beautiful” to bring the two onto the marae. “It was a good experience just to come here and let go of all the pain.”
Here’s the coverage from 1News:
I’m often critical of the media, but I thought Te Aniwa Hurihanganui did an excellent job with the coverage.
Tradition without politics, respect without politicians, I was so glad that our government were not there, full of fake expressions and hypocrisy.
The way the coalition has acted toward Māori makes me sick, and I feel pretty emotional writing this now, knowing that they do it because it will make them popular.
Halina commented on the item, “It sent shivers down my spine. It's happening despite our useless government, not because of them. I cannot fathom why they would reject that splendour.”
Josephine said, “Āe. Tika (correct). It was very respectful. I look forward to seeing what the coverage is like for the remainder of our Kuini's Koroneihana.
I just hope members of the government don't show up.”
The full programme of events is here.
There are numerous places to watch online. A good bet is the Kingitanga page on Facebook or their YouTube feed. Please be aware that no legitimate feed will ask you for payment information; that’s a scam.
Today is day three, and Pacific leaders are attending from Tonga, the Cook Islands, Hawaii, Tahiti, and Fiji. Our government and political party leaders will also be among those attending today.
As for whether local politicians will have speaking rights, Kiingitanga spokesperson Rahui Papa said they would “play it by ear”.
“We're not going to really focus on the political machinations that have been happening or are likely to happen. We actually want to focus not on the politicians themselves, or the politics of the day – the politic of the day will be kotahitanga.”
On 1 News, Rahui described the history of Koroneihana:
“Papa said the annual event has been marked since the time of King Tawhiao – who reigned from 1894 to his death in 1912 – albeit at a “very small scale” compared to modern-day iterations. It wasn’t until King Koroki, who sat on the throne from 1933 to 1966, that it grew to include other events such as sports and kapa haka.”
He continued saying, “Koroneihana was a culmination of all of the year's happenings, the year's funerals, the year's celebrations. Everything sort of came together with Koroneihana since Koroki.”
A long-running tradition, this video talks about the importance of Koroneihana to young people this year.
Christoper Luxon.
At the other end of the leadership spectrum this week has been Christopher Luxon, who has again shown that he is happy to take credit for things that had nothing to do with him and is quick to blame others for things that are his fault.
On Monday, Stuff posted the following article:
I commented:
What I would say to you, Christopher Luxon, is it's been almost two years since the last election, and you’re still saying - Labour did it?
Is that the plan for next year, to still be blaming the previous government even though you've been in charge? Why don't you show some leadership and take responsibility - the buck stops with you.
On the one hand, Luxon tried to make it sound like there was no problem, saying, “There are still a lot of signs of positivity, as you’re seeing with the different forecasts from the different economists.”
Even claiming, “We’re going to see some strong growth before Christmas.”
This is at odds with 1 News last night informing us that company liquidations are up 26% year on year. One expert noted that this was not only more than during Covid but also that it was worse than the GFC.
To cover his bases, Luxon told RNZ that, “I think Labour’s approach of taxing more, borrowing more, spending more is not the answer... that’s what got us into the mess, and that’s what we’re now clearing up.”
Ignoring the fact that they have been borrowing and spending more, albeit with less to show for it. Seriously, though, you’re still blaming Labour?
Noelene wasn’t having six of one and half a dozen of the other and said, “He is a useless businessman pretending to be a Prime Minister, he has no financial nous nor any depth of understanding of the struggles faced by many. He is a compassionless wankpuffin.”
Steph pointed out that:
Labour didn’t sack thousands of workers and kill local businesses.
Labour didn’t reward themselves with unaffordable tax cuts for the most wealthy.
Labour didn’t kill community spirit with hateful anti-DEI measures and a war on all things Māori.
Labour didn’t threaten to pollute and sell our oceans and DOC land.
She finished, “Try again, Lux-con.”
Paddy noted: “New Zealand was recovering well from Covid. Luxon et al have made a mess, which is hurting people now. It’s not only now, though. Getting rid of Three Waters will have more and more repercussions, as councils have no option other than to put up rates.
As well as that, there’s the social cost of poverty, homelessness, a failing health system and the long-term effects that go with that. The treatment of Māori by this government is shameful and can only cause long-term bitterness.”
Full credit.
Then, at the other end of the extreme, Luxon was happy to claim Amazon’s investment in data centres as an example of the benefits of foreign investment, even though it had already been announced four years earlier under Labour.
It made me wonder what he would claim credit for next…
Chris said, tongue firmly in cheek, “Look at what we built last month. Isn’t the private sector amazing? Go those overseas corporates, eh.”
When asked about Luxon re-announcing something from 2021, Chippy gave Luxon the name FIGJAM Prime Minister, a label that I suspect we haven’t heard the last of.
Two extremes. One all about respect, tradition, and focusing on people. The other, a “leader”, who blames others, takes credit for things he had nothing to do with, and is perfectly named as the FIGJAM “F@ck I’m Good, Just Ask Me” PM.
One makes me feel proud to be a New Zealander; the other makes me ashamed and sad that many of our fellow citizens prefer that option. They are definitely missing out.
Have a great day, folks. It looks like a beautiful, clear day in Ngāruawāhia.
Ngā mihi,
Nick.
To end today, below is Anna Coddington with Purea Nei:
Kotahitanga and manaakitanga are absent from a government who for two years have conspired to relegate Maoritanga back to the dark days of colonial repression. We are lead by a man with no Mana whatsoever. All power to the Maori Queen Koroneihana! Kia kaha
Such a moving post Nick - thank you
Purea Nei is one of my absolute favourite waiata and matched the respectful, reflective mood of the reporting brilliantly
Now, for once, I can move uplifted into the busy rest of the day ❤️