Rising at 4.40am on a fresh winter’s morning was tough. But we could not miss this occasion. Timed for Matariki, Matt, Dani plus Sara from Eke Panuku picked me up and we travelled south to Puhinui. The roads were unnaturally quiet as most of Taamaki Makaurau slumbered.
Upon arrival we milled about kerbside. We greeted people and conversed until we were ready to be welcomed onto the hub site. The karanga from Kathleen Wilson (Te Aakitai Waiohua) floated across the whenua and over the Puhinui awa. She was followed by Paaora Puru (Ngaati te Ata) welcoming us in. We were drawn single file onto the site. We gathered around the hub whare where the name was unveiled – “Manu Tangi Ata”.
The name was gifted by Papa Rereata. It translates to the return of the birdsong, being the measure of success for this mahi. I love the name. It speaks of rejuvenation and longevity. Once the ngahere has flourished, the manu and other taonga species will abound.
We then filed into the hub, circling through. I noticed the whaanau touching the walls, benches, the door frames, spades and gloves. I figured they were giving the hub a series of small blessings wishing the whare to succeed and thrive. I had seen that done once before. I thought that was a wonderful ritual. So I did it too, casting my blessings into the whare.
The procession moved into the tent for formal koorero. Te Waiohua, Waikato-Tainui and local whaanau from the three marae on one side and the manuhiri, visitors, on the other. I tried, with my very limited te reo, to follow the thread. I picked out the words I understood. But after a while I just let the rhythm, the ebb and flow of the oratory, wash over me.
One particular part stands out from the rolling koorero of speakers. Each was followed by the same collective chant. It rose and fell in that fresh morning air, resonating through my body like a warm balm. Te Pu-a-Nga Maara followed the formal koorero with passionate statements of purpose and intention to honour Manu Tangi Ata. The three R’s were proclaimed - Revive, Reconnect and Regenerate. We repeated them in affirmation.
Once speeches were concluded a feast of hot soup, Maaori bread, porridge and hot drinks nourished us for the early start. I then wandered outside and looked over to the awa. A flock of matuku (white-faced herons) were gathered in the tall but failing old pine trees, a high safe place to roost. I pondered the plight of our native manu in these urban spaces, but realised they are resilient given half a chance. They seemed happy to use the tall pine trees to roost and nest while they wait for the Awa Rangers to plant and care for the future giant tootara and puuriri to provide safe refuge for later generations.
Manu Tangi Ata is a great asset. It is well designed and vibrant. A place for the Awa Rangers to anchor their regeneration mahi. The ceremony was a perfect celebration of this important work to reconnect us to nature and build a strong sense of community.