Introduction
On the 12 November 2024, before the start of the first ever in-person level 1 IFS training in New Zealand, the trainers, PA’s and some partners gathered in a spirit of formation, at the waharoa, entrance of the Marae in Morison Street, Taupo. The purpose was to take part in a pōwhiri, the Māori welcome ceremony, which involves a whaikōrero (formal speech), waiata (singing) and kai (food). I was invited too, as I was accomanying my wife Jane who is a PA (Personal Assistant) in the group. I am part of the IFS community that is bringing IFS into schools.
National context
Our visit came at a sad, poignant moment in the general affairs of the Māori people. The New Zealand Parliament is debating a controversial bill that proposes to radically alter the way New Zealand’s treaty between Māori and the Crown is interpreted. The treaty principles bill was tabled by the libertarian Act party – a minor party in New Zealand’s coalition government. Its first reading was met with scathing speeches and disruptions, including a haka led by an MP, supported by members of the public in the gallery. A protest march (hikoi) in north island is organized, bringing awareness of this pernicious bill to the public. If passed into law, it would remove a set of well-established principles that flowed from the founding document – the treaty of Waitangi 1840. Power of interpretation of the principles would be removed from the courts and vested in Parliament. The treaty signed by 500 Māori chiefs and the Crown was instrumental in upholding the rights of the Māori people. If the bill is passed into law, principles, including the position of the Māori language being an official language, would be threatened. There have already been changes, such as the dismantling of the Māori health authority. Such moves promote anti-Māori rhetoric and threaten their rights.
What is a marae?
A marae is a fenced-in complex of carved buildings and grounds that belong to a particular iwi (tribe), sub-tribe or family. For the Māori people a marae is a sacred communal place, a focal point that serves religious and social purposes – their place to stand and belong. Its main building is a wharenui, the carved meeting house where guests are accommodated. Other buildings include a whaarekai (a dining hall and cooking area), and a toilet and shower block.
Why did we come to the Marae?
There were two main purposes for our visit. The first was to root our IFS training in the wisdom of the culture of the original settlers of Aotearoa; for our training to be seen by them as important for the mental health of all people who live on these beautiful islands. This we sort to do by humbly coming in peace and love to the Marae. Secondly, through the experience of being in the sanctuary of the Marae, to link together as a cohesive group, releasing the power of our own Self-energy to support our training.
The process
We, the manuhiri (visitors), were greeted by the avuncular Bronson Perich, whose affable personality reassured us that we about to be invited into a very special place. He shared with us the unique Māori process of strangers (manuhiri) gaining entrance to a Marae. After Bronson’s reassuring explanation, we were called onto the Marae by a lone female voice in the form of Anne-Marie the kaikaranga (woman caller), our females leading, metaphorically showing that we were coming in peace. They were followed by the males in our group.
However, once inside the Marae the men were required to be seated in front of the women, in case the women had to be protected from violence of action or speech, should our visiting group not show that they could be trusted as family and friends.
Bronson, on behalf of the Marae, began a highly skilled oration, with much gesture, challenged us to determine our intent, which once established clears the way for the rest of the welcome ceremony. Bronson described who he is in relationship to the land, nature and his tribe. He gave us information which identified him and his tribe, so that we as manuhiri (visitors) would be clear about the cultural heritage of this Marae.
In response, our ceremonial leader, in the form of Honie a veteran Māori special services soldier, spoke on our behalf. We were all spellbound by Honie, a humble man who had especially come to be with us following the poignant funeral of the last soldier from the Māori expeditionary force. We felt deeply honoured by his presence.
As we watched and listened to his powerful oration we witnessed his amazing qualities as an orator. His very being appeared to be transformed, as the power of his oratory convinced our hosts that we were a group who could be trusted and inducted into the special knowledge of what is means to be Māori.
Honie explained that we had come as peaceful people who help to heal others who are suffering in their minds. He argued that through our vocation we were spiritually connected to the tribe; therefore, could be trusted as though we were family. He argued too, sometimes with great humour, that he and Bronson were related. In fact, he could be described as Bronson’s uncle and therefore a family member! This rhetoric and our koha (gift/offering), symbolizing thanks to the hosts for their manaakitanga (hospitality) clinched our acceptance into the Marae, which the energetic Benoir confirmed.
We were then able to exchange personal greetings in the form of a hongi, which involves the shaking of hands and a gentle pressing of noses, signifying the sacred breath of life – the mauri (life principle). The group's members were further welcomed by the sharing of delicious kai (food) followed by the setting up of our communal sleeping space.
Our enriched evening
Our evening was enriched through a special gathering, which gave each of us the opportunity to share about who we are and our link to our land and ancestors. Each was invited to hold a tao (spear) in a way that represented our current state of being.
Any attempt to describe the content of this time together would not do justice to the richness of personal stories that were shared during our evening together. Suffice it to say that we were all deeply moved, as each one opened their heart to the group and gave special insights into their personal journey. The process truly bonded us as a group, as we felt the vulnerability, joys and pains of each other’s experience of existence.
Following a short break Benoir inducted us into the intricacies of his mother tongue, revealing its hidden mysteries through letters, symbols and numbers, which help make sense of the world. His session left us thirsting for more information and a clearer understanding of the cultural richness of his Māori heritage.
Off to bed! This was, for most of us, a unique experience as we spent the night together in a dormitory sleeping on the ground on our individual mattresses. The arrangements for the night flowed remarkably in good spirit and soon there was a palpable peaceful energy that invited us to slumber.
Alarm!
Just after 5am we were brought from our sleep by Benoir’s morning alarm call! We became aware that he was blowing through a conch shell. The bouncing air inside the shell produced sounds that are like the ocean that surrounds Aotearoa – a very natural alarm clock!
Repeated clarion calls from the conch hastily summoned us outside to experience exercise Māori style.
Benoir skilfully led us through a range of exercises that challenged us both physically and mentally. It became obvious why Māori people are so fit, nimble and dexterous. As with so much of experience at the Marae we learned to let go and trust in the energy that flows through life. It certainly gave us a keen appetite for our breakfast!
Partings
Our final session at the Marae gave us the opportunity to learn a song from Benoir – the catchy tune will live in our minds for a long time!
Emotionally filled goodbyes followed our singing; the beautiful melodic singing of Anne-Marie brought our time at the Marae to a close.
Our learning through experience
Each one of us had a shared experience but will have come away with our individual memories of the place and its authentic people. We left with a sense of deep gratitude for our initiation into Māori culture. We feel enormously privileged to have been in a group that oozes empathy and is so non-judgemental. Such qualities allowed our parts to settle and our Self to show up.
Our hosts gave us insights which highlighted why there is so much to learn from Māori culture. As Benoir shared:
“Our culture and philosophy are about the natural. They develop in each person a deep sense of being in flow and connecting to the oneness of creation. We understand that the divine can only work through us. The most important value for our people is pono which translates as truth.”
We felt the deepest sense of gratitude for the love and care which we experienced in abundance. We came through the portal as strangers, but left feeling we had each been made extended members of a wonderful people who will live in our hearts.
Written by Neil Hawkes (UK) on behalf of the Group.
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