Finally Te Ahi Kā has reached the shores of New Zealand and yesterday the books were blessed in a special Māori ceremony in Auckland. Such an honour and privilege to be part of this special journey that began in 1996 when we returned home to the ancestral homeland of Mangapapapa.
I like to acknowledge all tangata whenua who welcomed me onto their land and taught me about the ancestral ways of their old people, especially Te Whanau O Tieke and Te Whanau O Mangapapapa, Ngā Uri O Tamahaki. My sincere gratitude to the Trustees of Te Wananga O Mangapapapa Trust in their support, especially Anahera whose input has been invaluable and to my elders Hokio Te-Rangi, Tawhero and Tukaiora – tēnā koutou katoa.
A personal thanks to book designer Ania Nałęcka-Milach and Rafał Milachfor their help in shaping this project into a book. Publishers Dewi Lewis and Peter Dowling from Oratia Media for their support and work in distributing the book to a wider audience around the world. Very proud of my step-daughter Indra-Kaye Staunton and partner Callum who travelled from Jersey and spoke on my behalf at the blessing.
Dedicated to the memory of Paiki Johnson.
‘Always walk with the cautiousness of the Pūkeko at your feet. Express your being with the joy and unpredictableness of the Tīwaiwaka. Speak your truth with the wisdom and stillness like the Ruru. Be strong and direct like the Tūī. Hold on to your higher-self for you are like the Huia. Be observant like the Hokio-ite-Rangi.’
The book is published with financial support from Creative New Zealand, New Zealand Lottery Grants Board and Te Mana O Te Awa Grant administered by Ngā Tāngata Tiaki o Whanganui
For copies of the book in New Zealand, Australia and the South Pacific visit Oratia Media here https://www.oratia.co.nz/product/te-ahi-ka/
Anywhere else in the world please visit Dewi Lewis Publishing here https://www.dewilewis.com/…/te-ahi-ka-the-fires-of-occupati…
