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.