Clark posted this photo to facebook following our Noho Marae sessions at Tuahiwi and I felt it represented perfectly how I was feeling. For me the Marae visit was not just about what I learnt but how I felt.
I was initially not looking forward to the Marae visit, anxiety, tiredness and the unknown were the reasons behind this. I had felt now confident saying my mihi and was weary of extending it. Nicole one of the coordinators told us right out at the start we were going to be taken out of our comfort zones; yes we were but in a safe comfortable way by both the coordinator but more importantly by our Haeata colleagues. A task that was quite threatening for some was made safe and sound by the Manakitanga and Whanaungatanga within the space by our new and old colleagues.
Hence the photo: the wharenui and ngā whetū represented our coming together and reaching for the stars. As cheesy as it is it about the whanau feel and I then followed it up with my one word goal being strength. I felt a real strength of whanaungatanga at the marae and wanted this to continue to be felt as the term/year continued; both for me to feel/ be ad support.
LEARNING:
manaakitanga
1. (noun) hospitality, kindness, generosity, support - the process of showing respect, generosity and care for others.
whanaungatanga
1. (noun) relationship, kinship, sense of family connection - a relationship through shared experiences and working together which provides people with a sense of belonging. It develops as a result of kinship rights and obligations, which also serve to strengthen each member of the kin group. It also extends to others to whom one develops a close familial, friendship or reciprocal relationship.
