Is the Kingitanga relevant today? That is our kaupapa. I have been researching for about a week and a half. I decided to get a Tainui perspective for the my question as my research didnt give me a personal perspective and it lacked a real feeling of why this Maori kaupapa is still so strong and vibrant. Why does Tainui still go through all the effort and cost to put it on every year.
My interview was with Moko Tini. She is the media liason for Tainui.
"kotahitanga is still the message..." She also said that it was formed by all nga ma ta waka to discuss what is important to us as a people.
I could see this for myself when we attended. There were rangatahi there whose job was to manaaki tangata. They were the ringawera. The rangatahi I spoke to were truly an inspiration. They did not have a clear explanation as to why it is still relevant and important but they were hard working and knew their roles. Without even realising it they were participating in kotahitanga en masse, it was part of their whanau traditions. So thanks John Reed Lewison of Huntly College for your korero.
In conclusion Yes it is still important today for Maori people to support such a positive kaupapa and congregate as one. There are so many negative media perceptions out there, the size and sheer execution of such a large event annually is awe inspiring and made me feel proud to be a part of it again. E te whaea Te Atairangikahu moe mai e. Ki a Kingi Tuheitia, tu mai e. Ki te Kingitanga, anei to pononga.
HINZ
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Hi Hinz,
ReplyDeleteTainui toku waka, Tracy toku ingoa, asking myself the same question. I see you've arrived at an opinion but I'm wondering why. That nga tangata fall into line with given tasks manifests there is machinery at work, not whether the machinery is relevant. I look forward to hearing from you.