THE ALPHA FREQUENCY #721 - DECOLONISING THE GOOD NEWS: FROM IMPERIAL TOOL TO INDIGENOUS LIBERATION
Stripping Back The Layers
Kia ora, whānau. Today we are looking at how the message of Ihu (Yeshua's name in the Paipera Tapu) works in our lives here in Taitokerau. For a long time, the message of faith was used by big empires as a tool to control people and make everyone fit into a European mould. But when we look at the actual words spoken by Ihu, we see something completely different, a message of pure freedom and true health for our people.
The history of the North has its challenges. While colonial systems used religion to expand their power, our ancestors in Ngāpuhi and Te Rarawa quickly welcomed the core message. They did this because they saw that the true words connected directly to their own spiritual reality. The early managers of the colonies brought rules to change our culture, but the original message was never about copying another culture, it was simply about life.
Life To The Full
Ihu made a beautiful promise about why he came to earth. He stated that he came so that people could have real life, and have it to the very highest degree. This full life is what we call Te Oranga Ake, which means the complete, healthy flourishing of the whole family and the land they live on.
This is the heart of what we build toward in the North. It is not about individual wealth or corporate success that leaves others behind. It is about an economy where we prioritises how the resources are shared so that everyone can thrive together.
"I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." - John 10:10 (Ethiopian Orthodox Bible)
Ge’ez Text: አነሰ መጻእኩ ከመ ሕይወተ ይርከቡ ወከመ የትርፉ።
Te Reo Māori, Paipera Tapu, 1868 translation: I haere mai ahau kia whiwhi ai rātou ki te ora, inā, tōna nui noa atu.
Connection Through Whanaungatanga
One of the main reasons this message made perfect sense to our tūpuna is that it fits beautifully with traditional Māori life. The core values are built entirely on Whanaungatanga. This is the simple, foundational truth that everything and everyone in the world is deeply connected as one big family.
When we clear away the heavy layers of colonial thinking, we stop looking at the land beneath our feet as just a piece of property to extract from and sell for quick cash. Instead, we realise the whenua is a vital part of our daily health. True faith moves us away from just thinking about ourselves, guiding us instead toward restoring our families and demanding fair play for everyone.
Freedom Through Truth
We are taught that knowing the truth is what sets us free. In our everyday lives here in the North, this means rejecting the false idea that there is never enough to go around. That fear of lack is a trap that keeps people stuck in worry and poverty.
True freedom also means standing tall in who you are. You do not have to choose between your heritage and your faith, you can be completely Māori and fully walk in this spiritual path. This gives us the strength to protect our local communities and stand up for our own self-determination, which is our Tino Rangatiratanga. By returning to the original words, we find a path to true abundance for generations to come.
Practical Steps For Whānau
To live this out today, start by checking your own thoughts. Ask yourself if your faith is based on a heavy list of human rules or on the life-giving freedom of Ihu. Take time to connect with your family history and look after the land around you, because your relationship with the environment is a major part of your well-being. Finally, whenever you feel the anxiety of not having enough, remind yourself of the promise of a full, abundant life.
