Skywatch Friday: Matariki, Maori New Year

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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.