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784 days ago

What's On: Free Peace Concert

Durba from Mount Eden

We warmly invite you, your families and friends to join us for an evening of enchanting and deeply peaceful music on this Friday evening, November 4th at 7pm.

The ‘Concert of Inner Peace’ Australia and New Zealand concert tour will feature Eastern, Western, classical and contemporary music by the popular Czech musicians 'Agnikana and Friends' (www.agnikanasgroup.cz/en/).

The singers and musicians, who are travelling from the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Austria and Switzerland, constantly draw praise for their captivating manner, powerful presence and the spiritual depth and purity so evident to all who attend their performances.

The group specialises in the compositions of Sri Chinmoy (1931-2007), a musical and spiritual luminary whose 23,000 compositions, offered globally in over 700 Peace Concerts, have profoundly influenced many contemporary musicians and established him as one the most prodigious composers in history.

‘Sri Chinmoy’s sublime spiritual mastery reveals through music the infinite vastness of the universe as an intimate sanctuary of the soul’ Free Spirit Magazine wrote.

“He has such a tremendous and fantastic creative urge!” India’s greatest sitarist, Ravi Shankar commented.

“Sri Chinmoy’s music is a vehicle for the highest spiritual energy. It is very healing, an experience very deep within my heart and far beyond words” maestro flutist Paul Horn said.

The free concert will be in the Fickling Convention Centre 546 Mount Albert Road Auckland on Friday evening, November 4th at 7pm.

Please come along for a night of enjoyment. We would love to see you there. If you would like to attend kindly call or text Jogyata 022 188 7432 or by obtaining tickets from

agnikana-auckland.eventbrite.co.nz...

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From our Dazzling Paws Dog Grooming family to yours, Cindy , Jose & Belladona wish our amazing clients, dedicated supporters & vibrant community a Merry Christmas!

We want to express our special thanks for the beautiful gifts.
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16 hours ago

Te Pūrākau o Te Rangatira Ngākau Hūmarie - Day 34

Kiran Reddy from Mount Eden

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.