Blog Toru: From Whaingaroa to Lake Ōkataina
Cover photo by Emily Parr, 2021, Whaingaroa, Raglan.
As I prepare to travel to Lake Ōkataina, home of Ngāti Tarāwhai, I reflect on why, despite being at capacity, attending this gathering matters. This moment feels significant for indigenous resilience through storytelling.
I watch the day’s news, heart sinking, as yet another attack unfolds on our native tongue, te reo Māori, this time affecting our tamariki. Specifically, the print run of the Ready to Read book, At the Marae, which has been abruptly stopped because of what is labelled a ‘high’ number of te reo Māori words—seven, to be exact.
Seven kupu are considered seven too many. Sigh…
This news comes amid the current government’s actions to minimise Māori status, impacting our culture and identity through language. Government attempts to erode the prominence of our reo is disguised as an assurance of equal rights for all New Zealanders. But this comes at the expense of tangata whenua. It enacts what feels like cultural suppression with colonial policies reminiscent of the 19th century. All of this is masked with academic jargon and one can see the rollback of hard-won gains in Māori language revitalisation.
It’s easy to feel emotionally deflated. Sigh…
Still, despite this heaviness, I look ahead to the weekend and the village I will meet, as KUPU brings together indigenous storytelling powerhouses. Among authors, poets, composers, and more; surrounded by change agents in social policy and environment; filmmakers revealing untold stories and authors promoting Māori principles and tamariki wellbeing, I remember why such gatherings matter, and how returning to the Hā-breathe of our ancestors reminds me of their unwavering resilience.
Unhelpful government ideologies against Māori rights will soon fade. Hā…
While I have no expectations, I am looking forward to this retreat—stepping away from daily distractions to focus deeply on writing and connecting with other creative voices sounds like bliss. I look forward to sharing space with fellow storytellers, learning from their experiences, and drawing inspiration from their unique perspectives.
Most importantly, I want to be part of a village that nurtures a sense of belonging, values and indigenous narratives, supporting one another’s growth as writers and creatives. There’s a sense of excitement in knowing I will be surrounded by people who inspire, challenge, and uplift Māori through storytelling. Attending a retreat with this much magic feels like facing a blank page: uncertain but filled with promise.
I know whatever unfolds will soon become a great story. Hā…
Chantel Matthews (Founder/Editor)
https://www.chantelmatthewsart.com
https://www.instagram.com/chantelmatthews/?hl=en
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