THIS WEEK

When reading this week’s cover story – written by Florence Kerr, with stirring photos from Lawrence Smith (page 4) I had constant, as Oprah would put it, ‘‘aha moments’’ (sorry for being cheesy).

Lines such as, ‘‘before the settlement, DOC managed the land, but under the guardianship of Tu¯ hoe, it is people who are managed’’ made me stop and think about my worldview and how it needs to be constantly shifting. The same happened when I read

Ta¯ mati Kruger’s quote that ‘‘legislation is the highest order in Western civilisation and it can be used as a weapon.’’

The world has been carved up throughout history, invisible dotted lines justifying war. Men in boardrooms (or similar such settings) have decided, ‘‘oh, that can be for them, we’ll keep the precious bit, and those people over there can have this tiny corner’’. This has been done around the globe over the years in a way that sometimes seems almost arbitrary but is still causing devastation.

Te Urewera being deemed a culturally and legally protected feminine being is a major perspective shift, and one that is diametrically opposed to so much of the ideology that has driven recent history. I implore you to read Florence’s story. It is eye-opening and beautifully told.

Further back (page 18), this week’s recipe is an ode to Nicola’s Nana Ngaire and a reminder of how meals are about memories, and food is about the people we share it with. Speaking of food and people, I’ll end with the words of Manuka Apiata of Tu¯ hoe, when talking to Florence about how he taught his children to hunt, to be self-sufficient, but to ‘‘only take what you need, nothing more. That’s what my kuia taught me. . . You give back as much as you take.’’

If we all made more of an effort to do that, wouldn’t the world and its man-made border lines be a far more wonderful place?

Have a great weekend,