Te Ara o te Raukura - Day 31
The Path of the Feather
In a quiet Māori village surrounded by dense ngahere (forest) and flowing rivers, a young woman named Aroha sought guidance for her restless heart. Aroha was gifted with a sharp mind and quick hands, which earned her admiration among her people. But she often felt torn between her desire for material success and a deeper yearning for peace.
One day, she climbed to the peak of Maunga Tapu (Sacred Mountain) to visit her kaumātua, Tohunga Matua, a wise elder known for his connection to wairua (spirit) and mātauranga (knowledge).
“E kui,” Aroha began, kneeling before him, “I feel trapped, as if my pursuit of worldly things has chained me. Yet, I cannot let go. What can I do?”
Tohunga Matua smiled and reached into his kete (basket), pulling out a raukura (feather). He held it high, letting the wind dance with it. “Aroha, this feather teaches us the essence of life. Do you see how it floats freely when it is released to the wind, but it falls to the ground when we cling to it?”
Aroha nodded, intrigued but unsure. “But how does that help me, e kui?”
Tohunga Matua continued, “The rāhui of our ancestors teaches us the principle of balance. The mana of a person—like the feather—determines their path. If your mind clings to the material, like a bird tied to the earth, you are bound. But if your mind lets go of attachment, you rise and find freedom.”
Still puzzled, Aroha asked, “But how do I let go of the things I desire? They feel so real.”
The elder picked up a smooth stone and handed it to Aroha. “Hold this stone tightly,” he instructed.
Aroha clenched the stone in her fist. Tohunga Matua then poured water from a calabash over her hand. The water ran over her skin, but none could reach her palm. “Your desires are like this stone, moko. When you cling to them, the waters of life cannot nourish your spirit. But if you open your hand…”
Aroha opened her palm, and the stone fell. The water now flowed freely over her hand. “When you release your grasp, you allow life to fill you with wairua. You let your spirit rise.”
From that day forward, Aroha practiced the teachings of the raukura. She found joy in simplicity, cherishing her connections to her whānau and whenua (land). Her success no longer defined her mana. Instead, it was her ability to uplift others and maintain balance in her life that gave her freedom.
Years later, when Aroha became a respected rangatira (leader), she shared the lesson of the feather with her people. “Our mind determines whether we are bound or free. Let us let go of what weighs us down and rise like the raukura, carried by the winds of wairua and wisdom.”
Moral:
The story reflects the principle of “The mind is the cause of bondage and liberation. Attachment binds, while detachment liberates.” from the Srimad Bhagavatam. It teaches that attachment to material desires binds us, while detachment and spiritual focus lead to liberation. The tale highlights the importance of balance, wairua, and mana in achieving inner freedom.
Best way to use leftovers?
I'm sure you've got some excess ham at home or cold roast potatoes.
What are some of your favourite ways to use leftover food from Christmas day? Share below.
Te Pūrākau o Te Rangatira Ngākau Hūmarie - Day 34
The Tale of the Humble Leader
In a small Māori village near the coast of Aotearoa, the whānau were preparing for Te Rā o te Kirihimete (Christmas Day). It was a time of celebration, sharing, and remembering the values of aroha (love), manaakitanga (hospitality), and kotahitanga (unity). However, this year, the village faced a challenge. Their rangatira, Wiremu, had grown distant and prideful, burdened by his position.
Wiremu often made decisions alone, thinking that his wisdom and authority were enough to guide the iwi. While the villagers respected him, they felt unheard, and the spirit of unity began to fade.
As the Kirihimete celebrations approached, the kaumātua, Hinewai, decided to intervene. She invited Wiremu to the marae one evening, where she shared a story about Tāwhaki, the demigod who ascended to the heavens not through power, but through humility and service.
“Wiremu,” Hinewai said, “even the greatest leaders are at their strongest when they serve their people. Leadership is not about standing above others but walking beside them.”
Wiremu reflected on her words but was unsure how to change.
The Lesson of the Whetū (Stars)
On Christmas Eve, as the village prepared for their festivities, a fierce storm rolled in from the sea. The winds howled, and the rain poured, threatening to ruin the celebration. The central whare kai (dining hall) began to leak, and the decorations the tamariki had made were soaked. The people gathered anxiously, unsure of how to proceed.
Wiremu stood at the edge of the marae, looking at the chaos. In that moment, Hinewai’s words echoed in his mind: “Even the greatest leaders serve their people.”
Without hesitation, Wiremu took off his korowai (cloak of leadership) and joined the villagers. He grabbed buckets to catch the rain, helped rebuild the decorations, and reassured the tamariki that their work would be restored. His humility inspired others, and soon the entire iwi was working together, laughing and singing as they prepared the whare for the celebration.
A Kirihimete Under the Stars
When the storm cleared, the sky was filled with bright whetū (stars). The villagers gathered around a glowing fire outside the whare, sharing kai and stories of gratitude. Wiremu stood among them, no longer as a distant rangatira, but as a friend and servant of his people.
Under the starlit sky, Hinewai stood and addressed the iwi.
“This Kirihimete, we are reminded that true leadership is like the brightest whetū. It does not shine to outdo others but guides them through darkness. Wiremu has shown us the power of humility, and through his service, we have rediscovered our unity.”
Wiremu bowed his head humbly. “Tonight, you have all taught me that a leader is nothing without their people. Let us carry this spirit of kotahitanga and aroha into the new year.”
The villagers cheered, and the spirit of Te Rā o te Kirihimete shone brightly in their hearts.
Moral of the Story:
Leadership is not about authority or pride but about humility and service. Like the whetū that guide travelers, a true leader walks alongside their people, bringing light and unity through service and aroha. At Christmas, we are reminded of the importance of giving, humility, and leading with love.
⚠️ DOGS DIE IN HOT CARS. If you love them, don't leave them. ⚠️
It's a message we share time and time again, and this year, we're calling on you to help us spread that message further.
Did you know that calls to SPCA about dogs left inside hot cars made up a whopping 11% of all welfare calls last summer? This is a completely preventable issue, and one which is causing hundreds of dogs (often loved pets) to suffer.
Here are some quick facts to share with the dog owners in your life:
👉 The temperature inside a car can heat to over 50°C in less than 15 minutes.
👉 Parking in the shade and cracking windows does little to help on a warm day. Dogs rely on panting to keep cool, which they can't do in a hot car.
👉 This puts dogs at a high risk of heatstroke - a serious condition for dogs, with a mortality rate between 39%-50%.
👉 It is an offence under the Animal Welfare Act to leave a dog in a hot vehicle if they are showing signs of heat stress. You can be fined, and prosecuted.
SPCA has created downloadable resources to help you spread the message even further. Posters, a flyer, and a social media tile can be downloaded from our website here: www.spca.nz...
We encourage you to use these - and ask your local businesses to display the posters if they can. Flyers can be kept in your car and handed out as needed.
This is a community problem, and one we cannot solve alone. Help us to prevent more tragedies this summer by sharing this post.
On behalf of the animals - thank you ❤️
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