Te Whakapūtanga o te Atua - Day 33
In the sacred valleys of Aotearoa, beneath the watchful gaze of the maunga and the whispering ngahere, there was a time when harmony within the iwi began to crumble. The values of tikanga (righteousness) and manaakitanga (compassion) were neglected. Greed, conflict, and disregard for the whenua had begun to take root, threatening the balance cherished by the people.
The kaumātua of the iwi gathered at the marae to seek guidance. They performed long karakia, calling upon the atua and Io Matua Kore, the supreme source of all life. As they chanted, a warm breeze swept through the wharenui, and the voice of Tāne Mahuta, the atua of the forest, resonated through the air like a gentle waiata.
When tikanga fades and matekiri (disharmony) arises, Tāne said, Io Matua Kore, through the atua, manifests anew to restore balance and guide the people back to the ways of light.
Soon after, a child was born to the iwi, surrounded by signs of divine blessing. Birds of all kinds gathered at the whare, and the rivers flowed with an unusual clarity. The kaumātua named the child Rongo, after the atua of peace and cultivated lands, believing he would be the one to lead the iwi back to harmony.
As Rongo grew, his wisdom far surpassed his years. He taught the people to honor kaitiakitanga (guardianship) of the whenua, to uphold manaakitanga for one another, and to align their actions with tikanga. He reminded them that life was a sacred connection between the wairua, the whenua, and Io Matua Kore.
When righteousness wanes and shadows grow, Rongo would say, we must remember the teachings of the atua. For in each of us, their spirit is alive, and through us, the balance can be restored.
Under his guidance, the iwi flourished again. They planted trees, nurtured their rivers, and cared for one another as whānau. Balance and peace returned to the land, and the harmony of tapu and noa was restored.
Moral of the Story:
When tikanga (righteousness) declines and the balance of life is disrupted, the divine manifests through those chosen to lead and guide the people. It is our collective duty to listen, to act, and to restore the harmony that sustains all of creation.
Got a minute?💡Try this riddle and let’s see how clever you really are! 🧐
I am silent, yet I speak;
I can open minds but cannot open myself;
I contain worlds but have no life—
What am I?
Do you think you know the answer? Don't spoil it for your neighbours! Simply 'Like' this post if you know the answer and the big reveal will be posted in the comments at 2pm.
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Poll: Would you use a pet cemetery?
Dave Stephens has created a pet cemetery on his land.
The 10-acre site in Albany, Auckland, features graves nestled among beautifully manicured gardens and unique art pieces, offering a serene space where visitors can pay their respects in their own way.
Is a local pet cemetery something you think you would use? Share your thoughts below.
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31.5% Yes
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67% No
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1.5% Other - I'll share below
Neighbourly Q&A: Consumer rights with CAB's Andrew Hubbard
What can you do if you buy something that breaks soon after you buy it? It's time for another helpful Q&A.
This week we have Andrew Hubbard from Citizens Advice Bureau New Zealand (CABNZ) who will be answering your questions about your consumer rights.
A little bit about Andrew:
Dr Andrew Hubbard is deputy chief executive of Citizens Advice Bureau New Zealand (CAB) and loves working for the CAB so much that he’s been there for more than fifteen years.
Andrew believes in the difference people can make working together in the community and loves being able to support the work of the more than 2000 CAB volunteers across the motu. Andrew’s background is in policy and he’s been actively involved in consumer issues for the fifteen years he’s been at the CAB.
Andrew and the CAB team are ready to answer your questions about your consumer rights. This might be questions about when you can get a refunds, your rights when buying via Facebook or overseas, product delivery issues and what to do if a retailer won't sort a problem out for you. Ask away!
Andrew will be here live on Wednesday at 9.30am, but go ahead, and add your question below now ⇩
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