Facing the Future

The following poem is an excerpt from ‘Tuia 250 | Future’ by Justice – Te Amorangi Hetaraka, one of three essays included in ‘Me Anga Whakamua – Facing the Future’ published by Diane Stoppard and Janet Hetaraka. The book also features photographs and korero from a cross section of the Whangarei community reflecting on our unique history and heritage and sharing their aspirations for the future.

 

An ode to our mokopuna

The people are waking

A deep sleep

An eerie darkness

Clouding our vision 

Of the future

 

The people are waking

An embrace

Thought to be eternal

Torn

To flood light

Into hearts

 

The people are waking

By a karanga

Tūpuna

Welcome

To the dormant universe of self

 

The people are waking

Sleepless

Fighting in the dark

Illuminating a path

Unpaved

 

The people are waking

Weaving muka

Timeless

Strands of Humanity

Chasing endless

Horizons

 

The people are awake

A lineage of

Visionaries

Eternally

Etched in the stars

For you.

 

Copies of the book which has been met with praise from distinguished professor Dame Anne Salmond, Race Relations Commissioner Meng Foon, and documentary photographer and author Glenn Busch are available for perusal and purchase at the Hihiaua Cultural Centre.

 

And for those that have been waiting for our highly anticipated restock of Puanga Riroriro t-shirts they have arrived! The Hihiaua Cultural Centre Trust is thankful for the support from the local community, Whangarei District Council, Te Puni Kokiri, Foundation North, Lotteries, Creative Northland and the Provincial Growth Fund.