The First Footprints

When we look at the map of our lives in Taitokerau, we have to recognise that everything has a starting point. Our journey doesn't begin with modern politics or the arrival of the sailing ships. It goes much deeper, back to the very first splash of an oar in the waters of the Hokianga. Today, we are looking at Nukutawhiti, the ancient navigator who returned to Aotearoa to settle the land. He is the anchor of our western whakapapa, a man who proved that the North was always destined to be a place of discovery and fresh beginnings. (Rahiri is descended from Nukutawhiti on his father’s side, so if you are descended from Rahiri you are also descended from this guy.)
Beyond his feats as a voyager, Nukutawiti laid the foundation for our region's spiritual and intellectual landscape by establishing the first structures of Te Whare Wānanga o Taitokerau. This sacred institution was the ancient house of higher learning, dedicated to preserving the deep cosmic whakapapa and spiritual navigation laws of our people. By anchoring this wānanga in the North, he ensured that future generations would always have access to the ultimate truths of our identity.

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.

The Peacemaker’s Heart

As we keep walking through the lives of our great ancestors, we come to a man who spent his entire life building bridges. Eruera Maihi Patuone was a paramount chief of the Hokianga and the older brother of Tāmati Waka Nene. He lived a very long life, witnessing the arrival of the first Europeans right through to the late 1800s. While some leaders are remembered mostly for their skill in battle, Patuone is remembered for something even more powerful, his absolute dedication to peace, love, and goodwill to all people.

Weaving the Strands

Patuone was a master at weaving people together. He understood that fighting and division only drain the life out of a community. Whenever there was trouble between different hapū, or between Māori and the new Pākehā settlers, Patuone would step into the middle of the conflict. He did not do this out of weakness. He was a brave warrior, but he chose to use his mana to create safety and harmony. He looked at the world as a place where everyone should have a fair share of the pie, realising that a community can only flourish when there is peace.

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 start 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.

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.

Connected World

We often see the news from the Middle East as a tragedy happening "over there," far from our shores. But in the way the world is truly put together, there is no "over there". Everything is connected like the threads of a cloak. When a bomb falls in Gaza, it sends a ripple of sadness and disorder across the whole world, reaching right into our homes in the North.

When cities are destroyed and thousands of families are lost, it isn't just a news story; it’s the loss of people who could have helped solve the world’s problems. This mess doesn't stay in one place; it spills out and affects our money, our peace of mind, and our spirit.

Power Machine

The United States is currently acting like a giant engine for this conflict, pouring billions of dollars into weapons. This money doesn't build anything; it only pays for tools designed to tear things apart. By choosing power and control over caring for the "global family," this system creates a world that is falling apart rather than coming together.

For us here in Aotearoa, there is a real danger of being pulled into this mess. As our government talks about joining military deals like AUKUS, we risk losing our voice as a peaceful nation. If we help build the technology that guides these bombs, we become responsible for the outcome, no matter how much we try to stay neutral.