As we move forward to a new horizon and the passing of Christmas 2008, tuia te kawe tairanga te kawe oi te kawe o te haere.
As the closing of 2008 comes to a reality, I feel a short summary is due, to see one's achievements and snapshot of what has happened and what is outstanding.
January 2008 - Maori Media confirmation, studying at MIT this year how exciting.
Heaps of sport on, Taupo on for the holidays but more importantly the tag nationals. Counties Manukau Ladies become the top of the country, that is taking out the first tag Nationals. What a start for the year. Travel to Darwin for club rugby 7s team win that too. What an exciting year this is going to be. Touch Nationals in Wanganui not so good. 3rd in the open ladies and 2nd in the over 30s. Travel to Ratana Pa.
February 2008 -Maori Netball Nationals at Whangarei - Tamaki Makaurau come 3rd. Panmure Netball club II's miss out on the Premiere Netball grade. I later end up playing for another club. Saw the convention of the Indigenous Conference called the WiTBC. The introduction into the world of Maori Media. NGa aho Whakaari and the student body at MiT.
March 2008 - Barry Barclay passes, Chatham Island bird fossils discovered 65 million years old. Passing of Hone Tuwhare and Sir Edmonds Hillary.
April 2008 - Google launches Maori Google and Tuhoe launch New Zealand’s first iwi curriculum in Maori Education, University Games in Rotorua are held (missed again), the start of the ANZ Netball championship begins. Super 14 Blues vs Act Brumbies and the Warriors vs Doggies.
My short story 4 Maori Boys
Takapai Tipuao Murphy the legend - objective was to promote cool to korero to tama maori285 days ago
Ki te ao turoa, ki te ao whenua, tihei mauri ora.Ten years hard going and kicked out of kohanganui for ADHD. Too haututu, no ears, answering back and behavioural problems with a hupe te nose. Although a tutu boy Takapai Murphy had a good spirit inside. A typical young maori boy, cheeky, fun, koi but tutu. He attracted friends and was always the centre of attention.Then one day his Grandparents took him in an showed him the way. The way of Ngati Kapa. Ngati Kapa an Iwi found in the Eastern Borders of the kohatu valley. From the valley to the tops of the ice peaks of Tipuao. Nga tangata o nga maunga Tipuao. Takapai quickly took up the qualities of life, the life his grandparents and forebearers once knew, when they walked upon the lands and worked the lands. The life of pig hunting, fishing, driving tractors, horse back riding, hutt building, whakairo, te reo maori. His life changed immensely from his years in Tamaki Makaurau. Life faded away from the rat race that once enamelled his being. Although at first the transition was dull and boring for Takapai, he soon grew accustomed to his reflection off the pitter off the water, as the inanga whizz through hurriedly, the cool air from the wind that surrounds him. The hum of the birds and the sting of the bees, the essence of the dry grass and the droop of the trees. He knew every inch of the valley as if it was his blackboard.After the death of his grandparents Takapai returns to Tamaki and succeeds at Maori rugby. His first year in Auckland Maori he takes the boys to Tipuao and they train hard and beat the development World Cup English team, what a fantastic win. He is rewarded for his part in the win against the English and is drafted into the Auckland Super 16. Having settled into his new life he is still weary of his homelands and his hunger to return to Tipuao burns within. He recognises his yearning and the difficulty of his position an visualises himself in a light at home in the valley. Contented by his emotion his adventurous spirit is ignited once again, his energetic determination offers no guarantees but his remarkable plan to get the Blues to Tipuao becomes a reality. At Tipuao the squad krump, haka, korero maori and learn the ways of the old. They train hard and run the lakes, run the hills and hay bail. They collect pupu’s and run the mudflats at the Western Shores. Though tired but happy Takapai’s determination to be himself and walk and talk the way of the old was inspiring to his buddies. To connect his bros, his management and their whanau too, he taught them a whole new ball game. Super 16 quarter finals the bodies are pumped up, Takapai is the man and it is he who carries a light. He opens the night with a karakia whakamoemiti and respectfully everybody bows their heads. What a night, for the first time, Takapai see’s the final in sight. The Blues win by a penalty in the last 2 minutes of the game. The nervous feelings eroded away by a sense of yearning a mamae missing in his life… the calling of Tipuao. It’s almost like the old people calling him home. Haramai e tama, haeremai. Hoki mai ki te kainga ki te mamae, rere to raiti whakatau mai e tama, moe mai. Impatiently he returns to Tipuao.The Blues loose their final to a South African team. What was the missing ingredient. Oh where was Tipuao, the rolling winds, blowing grass, the icy peaks, could this have been a factor. Some say it may, some say it was hogwash, but how powerful to reclaim your determination through your tikanga.Takapai embraces his failure but continues to quietly focus on his role now as a Maori All Black to beat Australia, the constant promotion of his homelands is prominent yet a overwhelming teaching in his rugby life. One that close friends have grown accustomed too. The ngawha’s are full and there is laughter in the warm natural pools found at the lake of Tipuao. What joy to see the sun go down for those first time visitors to Tipuao, a splendid beauty.Takapai Murphy a Kohanga drop out with ADHD and severe behavioural problems makes the All Blacks and becomes an ambassador for maori tama. His constant promotion and supernatural being naturally graces our presence and our tv screens to encompass the world back to his homelands of Tipuao.He later scores the winning try against South Africa in the 2011 world cup and New Zealand wins the world cup, something not achieved in 25 years. His determination to reclaim back his overwhelming love of Tipuao sends light to those around him, even the Prime Minister Matariki Banks acknowledges his contribution to Rugby, and takes time out at Tipuao. The PM learned to love his own company at Tipuao so much so that the appreciation of totally knowing oneself, body mind and soul, the PM got the feeling that there was an injustice to a neighbouring people of Tipuao the Koituhoemeke, so an apology to the Misty Valley Iwi has been planned and to be announced in the coming days.Takapai is heralded a heroe once again and becomes a role model for Men against violence and is the face of the ADHD awareness programme for young maori boys.Takapai Tipuao Murphy….. A role model, a constant reminder of tikanga maori. Takapai Tipua Murphy …. The legend.
May 2008 - Willie Apiata returns to Nga Puhi (acknowledges his Nga Puhi tuturutanga), New Zealand Music Month, Irene Van Dyk plays GA an unusual position that she is used 2. Treelord deal gets underway. KING TUHEITIA OPENS UP TO FOX FOR MANA MAGAZINEKing Tuheitia has chosen to give his first in depth interview to veteran Maori journalist Derek Fox. 30 year celebration of the Bastion Point occupation.
June 2008 - Kung Fu Panda pictures is released for the School Holidays (July 2008), Pressure to get rid of the Maori seats in New Zealand upcoming election. Gerry Brownlee New Zealand MP passes away. Manukau Indian Shopkeeper murdered in Manurewa Suburb - 3 further incidences happen in this suburb follow this serious crime in the same week. A sad week 4 Manurewa and South Auckland in GEneral.
July 2008 - Kung Fu Panda pictures for school holiday venture, great school activity for kids.
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