REFLECTIVE INSIGHT #053 - THE HIDDEN STRENGTH: MAIKUKU AND THE ROOTS OF WAITANGI

Learning From Our Past

To understand where we are going in the North, we have to look at the ground we stand on. Our dream of a better life for our kids isn’t something we need to copy from overseas. It is already here, hidden in the stories of our old people. We continue this journey by looking at Maikuku. She was a woman of high rank and the granddaughter of the great leader Rāhiri. Her story shows us how different groups of people can come together to build one strong family.

The Power of Quiet

Maikuku lived in a cave at Waitangi, known as Te Ana o Maikuku. Because she was so special and carried a high level of tapu, she stayed in this quiet place. Today, we are always busy and surrounded by noise. We think we have to be loud to be important. But Maikuku reminds us that there is a special kind of strength that grows when we are quiet and still. It is like when Ihu (Yeshua's name in the Paipera Tapu) went away from the crowds to pray. He knew that to lead people, you first have to connect with the Spirit.

Light for the World

When we carry the truth in our hearts, it eventually shows. We don’t have to shout it, it just shines out of us. In the Ethiopian Orthodox Bible, Matthew 5:14 tells us that we are meant to be seen:

"You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden." Ethiopian Orthodox Bible (Matthew 5:14)

Ge’ez text: አንተሙ፡ ውእቱ፡ ብርሃኑ፡ ለዓለም። ኢይትከሀል፡ ተኀብኦ፡ ሀገር፡ እንተ፡ ትቀውም፡ ዲበ፡ ደብር።

Te Reo Māori: "Ko koutou te māramatanga o te ao. E kore e taea te huna te pā e tū ana i runga i te maunga."

Coming Together

Maikuku married a chief named Huatakaroa (Hua). This was a very important moment for the North. It brought together the people who were already living here with the people who had arrived on the great canoes. Instead of fighting over who was better, they chose to join their families together. They prioritised the peace of the community over their own pride. They realised that when we weave our lives together, we all become stronger. This is the same challenge we face today. We need our whānau, our local businesses, and our councils to work together for the good of everyone.

Leading From the North

The descendants of Maikuku became the great leaders who shaped our history. They proved that Taitokerau is a place of abundance, not a place of lack. When we stop waiting for someone else to save us and start looking at the mana within our own families, we begin to shine. My prayer is that we reclaim this way of thinking. Let’s move forward with the help of Wairua Tapu to make our home a place of peace and love once again.

Starting at Home

We are the ones in charge now. Just as Maikuku and Huatakaroa brought stability to the land, we can do the same by making sure we share what we have and look after one another. We don’t need to ask for permission to be a "shining light." The North is already leading the way, and we are just getting started.