A look of confusion is expressed by first timers who just moments ago were navigating through the deeply unnatural industrial zone of Wiri. These soon to be contributors to the Puhinui Regeneration Project are staff members from organizations supporting the project. The Department of Conservation, The Milford Foundation, Z Energy, Air Chatham and SBN. A group that until this moment had nothing in common, or any connection to the Puhinui awa and the landscape she moves through.
Our hosts, Te Pu-a-Nga Maara (TPNM) warmly welcome our manuhiri (guests) reassuring them they are in fact in the right place. The Awa Rangers, a whenua based restoration team within TPNM, are anxious to get moving. Some even sneak off to get a few more minutes of weed control done before we begin.
When the energy feels right we assemble in an awkward circle, still somewhat confused about where we are and what to expect next. This doesn't feel like any other corporate planting day. There are no plants or shovels. No dead zone of herbicide sprayed land to direct our attention.
Krissy Bishop and Zara Rihi Motutere, kaikokiri (project managers) for TPNM break the silence. Their words immerse listeners in a journey through time, space and worlds. The waiata that follows lifts our spirits and tells us even more about who our hosts and their ancestors are.
Unfortunately, most of us are not well versed in Te Reo Maaori. Thankfully, TPNM are very capable at stepping their audiences through these concepts, meeting us where we are.
Their introductory koorero is likened to a GPS in function, to situate ourselves in our surroundings. We are reminded to raise our awareness to the heavens, to the broadest conceptions of creation and environmental phenomena. We then attune our attention to the Puhinui catchment, its history, people, natural resources and landmarks. We arrive at the interaction between our environment and our senses, the place where tohu (environmental indicators) are observed.
We introduce ourselves one by one. We share a little about where we are from and a tohu (sign) we have noticed that day. Another nudge towards being present, becoming aware of our surroundings and finding connections with one another.
By the end of this process we are a much more cohesive group. We know where we are. We are feeling drawn to look, listen and take notice of our surroundings and the energy we bring to the whenua. To share those insights. To slow down and breathe. We know who is joining our rōpū (group), who our hosts are, what the project seeks to achieve and why we are pursuing such aspirations.
This is how we welcome our manuhiri. This is how we transform litter cleanups, weed pulling, and tree planting into a meaningful experience of recalibration. A recalibration of self, to tune into our own awareness, and that of others, as part of te taiao (the environment). This is our tikanga. Once we have completed our mahi, we share kai and reflect on the morning, much closer with the awa and much further from our laptops.