Koroneihana 2017 "My Cultural Experience"

                           
                          Koroneihana (Coronation) 2017 at Turungawaewae Marae, Ngaruwahia

On Sunday 20th August 2017, I attended the Koroneihana. I initially went down to support my friend Tasha Hohaia who is in the Maori Party. This event was highly significant not only because it was a gathering for politicians but more so because The honorable King Tuheitia was present and surrounded by his family, Kuias and people of the marae.

As much as I would love to talk about the politics, I am going to plant that for now and instead share my cultural experience on this day. Now I love Maori Culture and with my limited knowledge, I believe there is something about Maori dome that is just pure and beautiful.

I drove down with my friend and as we parked up and hopped out of the car we made our way to the entrance of the marae. In this short journey, we came across Maori wardens who were so friendly and just had a smile on their face, happy to direct us. The smallest gesture yet it made it so easy and meant a lot to us. I felt such a light wairua about being there and just looking around I said to my friend " man I love seeing kids being kids and wearing whatever they feel like without comparing it to someone else's brand clothing", I also loved that kids would walk past the wardens and say "kia ora matua" and I loved the fact that there were young teenagers who were just sitting and hanging around the marae, like it was there hangout on a normal day. This caught my attention, it was just so beautiful.

As my friend and I stood outside the entrance of the marae, awaiting our group to be invited with a powhiri, I recognized some politicians arriving in their flash cars, with their campaign flags and their support groups. A couple stood out to me. The first person that I recognized was Hone Harawira. Now I only know the Hone Harawira that appears in the news and media, but to see him in real life, I must admit I felt a bit star struck. With all politics aside, some things that appealed to me about Hone,  was a man that greeted every single person he saw on his way to the entrance, a man that even walked by and greeted me and my friend so genuinely and made us feel welcomed, a man that just had such aura and realness to people at ground level. He acknowledged people for being people and these genuine actions I respect.

I stood silently and watched politicians being interviewed, I was in awe of the fact that the Maori language was being spoken around me like it was the norm. I watched the likes of Tuku Morgan, TeUruroa Flavell, and Gareth Morgan, strut around, greeting people, taking photos and being interviewed. I felt like I was present at a day and time that was going to go down in history.

The powhiri began and as we were walking in, I was once again overwhelmed by the nature and peacefulness of the culture. I have experienced many powhiri's but this one was different, we were welcomed on by the elderly who waved their ferns gracefully as they powhiri us on to the marae. This melted my heart and made the occasion all the more special. I was at the back of the group and as we made our way to our seats I looked to the front of the marae and saw the Hon. King Tuheitia seated and surrounded by his people. This is a moment I will treasure forever.

You see I am not Maori, but on this day my love and interest for this culture grew. I listened to the speeches of Tuku Morgan, Hone Harawira, and Ururoa Flavell and despite not understanding it, I felt the authority and weight, yet the humility behind their speeches that were spoken in their beautiful Reo. I was that annoying kid that was constantly turning around to my friend asking her to translate what they were saying. I was so proud to experience this Koroneihana and I took away so much that makes me better as a person and more understanding as a New Zealand born Tongan.

I took away many lessons and values that I will treasure and add to my Kite. 1. I realized how important it is to acknowledge people for being people and to be genuine about it. Life gets busy we climb different mountains every day, but when you talk to people along your journey it is important to make them feel valued and cared for, it is important to actually "Listen".

I also experienced first-hand the difference between rural and urban life and appreciated the little kids who were on the marae and walking around in the rain doing chores for the elderly like it was the norm. I appreciated the gumboots, swandrys, plastic bags and also the sweatpants tucked into socks with sandals. This was a genuine generation that had not been tampered with, a generation that will be strong in their identity, a generation that grew up on the marae, listening to the Reo being spoken around them because it was normal. A generation that can share stories to their young ones one day about growing up in the marae with King Tuheitia and listening to the many speeches at Koroneihana. Some untold stories that I believe will keep the culture alive and flourishing.

This knowledge and experience, I believe makes me a better person, makes me a better teacher, allows me to contribute more to 21st-century society and gives me the knowledge that I can share with my world.

                            Ehara taku toa, he takitahi, he toa takitini

My success should not be bestowed onto me alone, as it was not individual success but success of a collective