REFLECTIVE INSIGHT #059 - THE DIPLOMATIC BRIDGE: TĀMATI WAKA NENE AND THE GLOBAL SHIFT
The World is Changing
When we look at our history in Taitokerau, we see moments where the whole world shifted. Our old people did not live in a bubble, they saw huge changes coming across the ocean. Today, we look at Tāmati Waka Nene, a paramount chief of Ngāti Hao from the Hokianga. He was a man who understood that change was inevitable. He did not run away from it, and he did not just fight it. Instead, he chose to become a diplomatic bridge, helping our people navigate a massive global shift.
A Path for Safety
Waka Nene was a very powerful leader and a brave warrior, but he was also a pragmatic thinker. By the time 1840 arrived, he saw that European traders, whalers, and settlers were arriving in large numbers. He realised that without some kind of law and order, there would be chaos on the land. When he spoke at the signing of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, he argued that having a Governor would protect our whānau from lawless outsiders. He chose to look at the big picture, trying to find a safe way for our people to trade and grow in a changing world.
Living in Peace
Waka Nene’s choice to build a bridge between two different peoples was a deeply serious move. He wanted to ensure that his people could live without the constant fear of destruction. This desire to find a peaceful path, even when things are changing fast, is something that fits with the highest spiritual laws. Ihu (Yeshua's name in the Paipera Tapu) always guided his followers to seek peace with others whenever they could.
A Direct Teaching of Ihu
The scriptures encourage us to do everything we can to keep relationships strong and peaceful with the people around us:
"If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men." - Ethiopian Orthodox Bible (Romans 12:18)
Ge'ez text: ለእመ፡ ይከውንስ፡ በበገጽክሙ፡ ምስለ፡ ኵሉ፡ ሰብእ፡ በሰላም፡ ንበሩ።
Te Reo Māori, translated directly from Ge'ez: "Ki te taea, pēnā kei a koutou hoki, kia kōrero tahi i runga i te maungārongo ki ngā tāngata katoa."
Fixing the Soil Together
Being a bridge builder is not easy mahi. Waka Nene was often misunderstood by his own people, especially when conflicts broke out later. But he remained committed to the covenant he signed, believing that the long-term well-being of the North depended on keeping our word and working together. This is a massive lesson for us today as we work on fixing the soil of our communities. We cannot build a better society if we spend all our time isolated or fighting. We need to learn how to cooperate at the grassroots level.
Sharing the Pie Globally
Waka Nene wanted our people to thrive in the new economy. He wanted our hapū to sell their potatoes, timber, and flax to the world, making sure we were prioritising the independence of our own whānau. He saw that true development means being part of the wider world without losing who you are. Today, our regional councils, local businesses, and marae need to have that same global vision. We need to build our own local strength so we can interact with the rest of the world from a position of confidence.
The Northern Light
The North has always been the place where the future of our nation is shaped. Leaders like Waka Nene proved that we have the intellectual capacity and the spiritual maturity to handle massive global changes. We do not need to wait for outside systems to tell us how to manage our relationships. Guided by Wairua Tapu, we can look after our own people while still being a welcoming, shining light to the rest of the world. Let us pick up the challenge of being bridge builders in our own time.
