Traditions of a Nation

‘Whispers of Waitaha - Traditions of a Nation’ are the words of our Grandmothers, written in this time to spread the message of Peace & Hope.

Ata whakarongo ake e moko,
Ki enei korero o ou matua tupuna,
I haere tawhiti mai ki tata.

With this waiata oriori, the Grandmother sets in motion the telling of the great pattern of journeys. Listen carefully Moko. These are journeys to and from the shores of these lands and to and from the shores of ancient lands where many memories of the Elder Grandmothers and Grandfathers are still walking in the minds of the Teachers of the Waitaha Wananga. These memories have always been the treasury of the families of Kura, Rakai and Pakau the hapu and whanau of Waitaha Whanui i te Ao.

These words of your parents and grandparents speak firstly to the decision and preparation for journeying. They then speak of much of the sacred knowledge guiding all decisions in travel, landing and living. Finally the words of your parents and grandparents speak of the laying down of trails and tikanga in a new land. This shall be then one circle of one great pattern of journeying by the Nation of Waitaha.

Gathering as both One and Many
We listen
Seeking surprise and reassurance
We speak
Of aspirations and imaginings
Of memories to be present in our making of the future
We move
Impelled by understandings of the sacred and the practical
Greetings
to those who gather
to those who have spoken and speak
to those who have listened and hear
in silence and in sound
Greetings