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Friday, July 2, 2010

Skywatch Friday: Matariki, Maori New Year







http://skyley.blogspot.com/

The Chinese believe in YUEN or fate, something I do not really believe in having become a Christian and having received a Western education. This could be coincidence, perhaps.

Last year, I went to the Orakei Marea, met and befriended Ngarimu. I spent the night before Waitangi Day in the marea and the elder said," You have eaten our food, slept in our Marea, you are now a Maori." I went to school and told my students I am now a Maori and they looked at me in disbelief.

Yesterday, when I went to the Auckland Domain, my mission was to look for John Edgar's sculpture. The sky was beautifully blue and with just tiny puffs of clouds. I went for a long exploratory walk.

I went to the old crater and reminisced the time I spent my lunch time training for the Round the Bays. I came to a clump of trees.

There among most of the trees whose leaves had fallen was this big tree, what attracted me was the Maori poles surrounding it. Curiousity got the better of me, and despite the soggy muddy crater, I trundled to it. Peeping through the poles, I saw the Red Maori craving supports. I have been in New Zealand since 1978, I had not previously noticed it. I was really excited.

I came home, and googled, but didn't find anything. I remembered my friend Ngarimu, and this Historical Gem should be respected. Ngarimu had previously invited me to his Tree Planting events. I am privileged to accept.

Kia ora Ann

This is a sacred totara tree, Te Puea planted it in 1940 to honour 100 years of the Treaty of Waitangi and her Grand-dad, Potatau Te Wherowhero (the 1st Maori King) who lived on that hill in early Auckland.


Regards

Ngarimu

p/s Te Puea Herangi, CBE (9 November 1883- 12 October 1952) was a respected Māori leader from New Zealand's Waikato region known by the name Princess Te Puea.

23 comments:

Rajesh said...

Beautiful shots of the place. The wood work is amazing.

jabblog said...

What a really interesting post - so glad you stopped and looked :-)

eileeninmd said...

It is an interesting post and i enjoyed the photos. Happy skywatching!

Roberto Machado Alves said...

Great shots.
Thanks for visiting my blog.

Have a nice day.

Roberto

gigi said...

That is a beautiful walk you took. Great tree and pretty sky.

SandyCarlson said...

You are a Christian, but not a Calvinist! Fate finds its way into our stories, like running water. I enjoyed this very much.

alicesg said...

Very interesting information there. Nice shot. Have a nice weekend, Ann.

Sylvia K said...

Such an interesting post and lovely captures, Ann! Hope you have a wonderful weekend! Enjoy!

Sylvia

Carver said...

This was a very interesting post and photographs. I also love your sky shot on the home page of SkyWatch Friday.

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous woodwork, and azure skies.

Kim, USA said...

Love your photos Ann, The first one remind me in the Philippines too. Some fences there specially in the rural area has that kind. Great shot and thanks for sharing!

SWF:Fiery sky

Regina said...

Great captures and post.
Congrats Ann.
Happy SWF.

Zooropa said...

I love the huge tree & feel like wanna climb on the top! Happy Weekend Ann :-)

Dora@zooropazoo

dianasfaria.com said...

a lovely skywatch and great post in general.
I like how this tree is fenced in for support. It's nice to know this old tree is cared for.

Irene said...

Thanks for visiting! I guess the moon is red because of the sunset. The moon was rising in the east and the sun was going down in the west. Wish you a great weekend!

Dani said...

great post and pretty pictures.
Have a joyful weekend!

Jim said...

How interesting. I have never heard of Maori New Year before.

rainfield61 said...

If you don't believe in yuen, then you must agree with Yin and Guo. 因果.

Lina Gustina said...

Ann, it's a new info for me.
Great shots, too...

Sorry for my late visiting you back :)

http://www.womenandperspectives.com

Elaine Yim said...

Ann, Congratulations on being guest host for Skywatch Friday! You have a beautiful tale for us today and a personal one too. That tree is awesome. So glad, I know about it now.

I have an award for you. This is my link

L. Neusiedler said...

this is a great post! lots of info!

Glennis said...

Great shots, nice to remember the Maori's new year.
I like the carved fence poles,if that is what they are.

Unknown said...

Great information of a culture I know so little. Wonderful tree and poles!