REFLECTIVE INSIGHTS #052 - THE ANCESTRAL SIGNAL: RĀHIRI AND THE COVENANT OF TWO SONS

Finding Our Way Home

The world can be a very confusing place lately, with so much noise and fighting. It feels like we are losing our way. This series is about tuning out that noise and listening to the wisdom our ancestors left for us. I call this the "Ancestral Signal." It is a way of living that is already in our blood. By looking at our Ngāpuhi tupuna, we aren't just talking about history, we are looking for the map that shows us how to build a better life for our whānau right here in Taitokerau.

Where it all Began

Everything for us starts with Rāhiri. He is the father of Ngāpuhi. He was a great leader because he knew how to bring different groups of people together. He didn't try to make everyone the same, but he showed them how to live as one big family. He understood that if we want the North to be a "shining light" to the world, we first have to make sure our own foundations are strong. This lesson was most clear when he dealt with his two sons, Uenuku-kuare and Kaharau.