DISCLAIMER: Some excruciatingly passionate and foul language in this blog. Read with caution….
Coronavirus, COVID-19 has been the biggest pain the the ass the world has seen and had to experience. It’s been compared to the Great Depression and the 1918 influenza pandemic, but never have I ever thought it could compare to the 1881 Invasion of Parihaka.
Over the last several weeks since the beginning of our nations mandatory lockdown on 26 March 2020, Aotearoa (NZ) society was chillingly quiet and ghostly as we played by the rules for lockdown until the all clear was given. Level four kicked into play really quickly. Within 72 hours… the roads were still. Not a peep. Not a sound. Not even the sound of birds! It was an eerie feeling.
During this time, I knew that it was important to play the part to help combat this frightful disease. It was unreal!
By week two of lockdown we learned as a culture, tangata whenua/mana whenua (original land occupiers of Aotearoa) we’re going to have the imposition of our culture, our beliefs and our systems changed – especially around Tangihanga (funeral customs).
IF you’ve every watched The Casketeers, you’d quickly learn there is something different about the way Maori and Pasifika do their funerals – its easily defined as spiritually moving, unique, personal and above all intrinsically beautiful.
However, all of New Zealand played by the rules and seven weeks later, boom! We’re at level 2. An amazing feat! Something I’m really proud of that we could put aside all our differences and get to this stage. We pulled together as a team and did it – even though there is still much to be done by the nation in its team effort.
In my earlier article “Hitting the Reset button on Humanity” I wrote about the feeling of this space and what it could potentially do for Humanity, not just here in New Zealand, but across the globe! Reset us. Reset our behaviours regardless of whether your black, white, rich or poor – we we’re all on the same level and nothing could buy us a life saver to get out of it. We were LOCKED DOWN!
Anyway, one of the things that was really important for Maori people as a nation are our customs and our traditions. One of the biggest events in our way of life is Tangihanga – Maori funeral rites, traditions and customs.
During COVID lockdown in week 2, I lost a dear friend and family member who was a huge part of the West Auckland Community in youth services and development. I knew this was going to be hard. I knew I couldn’t break the bubble and go to her which was approximately 4 hours North of Auckland. I knew I could pull the Funeral Director’s card and make my way through ensuring all practices were being honoured throughout the process and all that stuff, and what was worse, her daughter, someone I’ve known since she was 11 who is now nearing her thirties, was alone, by herself and no one to support her. Its not how we do things. Its not how Maori practice and just accept that space – but for the nation and to give our Government a chance to do what I knew was the right thing and isolate us, I stayed the course and did what we needed our nation to do – Stay Home!
Our Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern, has been the biggest beacon of Hope and Strength over this period of time and incredibly, being the youngest Leader of our Country ever. She has led us through some of the biggest trials in our New Zealand History like our first Terrorist Attack etc. Her confidence and support towards Te Tiriti o Waitangi for Maori and her duties to be non-bias has been a credit in her leadership – especially being recognised around the world.
After level 2 was to take place on Thursday 14th May 2020, the Government made some extremely large decisions affecting Maori, but overall, all of New Zealand.
- They passed legislation as a response to COVID 19 Level 2 giving the police the right to affect arrests and enter properties without warrants – including that of traditional and cultural significance – our Marae.
- The limiting of then 50 people, now 100 people being allowed to partake in gathering at a Tangihanga.
I feel that the Government has done an amazing job over this term. They have held New Zealand up, kept us going and before COVID-19, was able to save a bit of money too. I’m actually really impressed by them.
At this point in time I know my people are feeling extremely insecure around the legislation, particularly with regards to non-warranted arrests. However, I don’t believe its as bad as people are making it out to be. They’ve redacted the phrase removing and limited our places of significance as an exception. And Tangihanga has been extended to our ‘norm’ 100 people.
So here are what I think needs to happen.
- I do not want our country, our people or our places to go backwards. We can’t afford to. If we end up in COVID lockdown again as a result of idiots within the public not sticking to the rules or doing what we’ve all practiced for the last several weeks, then don’t blame the Government. Blame yourselves for the lack of conformity.
- Tangihanga is definitely a sacred process for Maori. And more New Zealanders (Pakeha) are adapting and adopting to these practices more than ever – a beautiful sight to see when they take their loved one home to lay in state or want Maori cultural customs involved somewhere along the procession. However, again, we have the ability to ensure that we’re safe. Deceased are not hosts of the virus and you won’t be catching anything from them – its the living thats the problem. If you are attending a Tangi, be safe. The same way we would when we see Nana whos still turned up and is sick as a dog, we usually stay away. Same Same! Don’t be dickheads and over do it.
- As for the legislation pass for entering premises without warrants, If you play by the rules, then obviously this won’t happen. Remember, this isn’t for every legislative law in the Country. Its specifically written for COVID-19! Whanau! Read the bloody text. It doesn’t say COVID-19 and the rest of every enforceable law in Aotearoa… Don’t be dumb.
This year is election year. I feel that Labour Government have a duty to ensure that they finish off what they’ve started and that we as a nation support that process – because its about us.
You can bet your bottom dollar I’ll be voting them again. I want to make sure that they have the chance to clean up their mess.
