Teenaa koutou katoa
Ko Te Pane o Mataoho te maunga,
Ko Manukanuka o Hoturoa te moana,
Ko Waikato te awa,
Ko Tainui te waka,
Ko Waikato te iwi,
Ko Te Puea te marae,
Ko Pootatau te Wherowhero te tangata.
Ko wai au?
I am my maunga, and my maunga is me.
I am my awa, and my awa is me.
I am my waka, and my waka is me.
I am my tuupuna, and my tuupuna is me.
My name is the least important thing about me—because it is not just my name that defines me, but the people and places I come from. I give my deepest thanks to those who have come before me, and to the communities and people who continue to support me.
A Full-Circle Moment
This journey to India was more than just a trip—it was a full-circle moment. To be able to return home and share these experiences with my iraamutu, my whaanau, and my haapori is something I do not take lightly. It is not every day that a Maaori student from South Auckland receives such an opportunity, and for that, I am grateful. Ngaa mihi nui to 360 International and GCC for believing in me and supporting me every step of the way.
The Taj Mahal – A Breath-Taking Sight
Of course, everyone asks—did I visit a wonder of the world? And the answer? You already know it! Seeing the Taj Mahal in person was beyond words—it was so majestic, so alive, it felt like it was breathing. The only other time I’ve been left that speechless was standing before maunga Taranaki in the flesh.
Finding Connections Between Te Iwi Maaori and India
While I missed home, I found aspects of it in Mumbai and throughout India. One of the most special experiences was my solo journey to Amritsar to visit the Golden Temple (Sri Darbar Sahib). I had always wanted to visit Punjab—partly because of my family’s connection to the region and Sikh religion, but also because of the strong ties between the Punjabi community in Kirikiriroa and the Waikato.
Walking through Amritsar, observing the architecture, learning the maatauranga behind place names, and being part of ceremonies took my breath away. One small but powerful aspect that stood out was the sacred significance of hair. The pagri (turban), often misunderstood in the West, is more than just attire—it is a symbol of discipline, equality, devotion, respect, responsibility, and identity.
As I reflected on this, my mind drifted to other Indigenous communities where hair holds deep spiritual meaning. Across the Pacific and the Americas, hair is treated with reverence—many cut it on sacred occasions, such as funerals and hair-cutting ceremonies, or choose never to cut it at all. However, similarly to the Punjabi people, this a choice that individuals have and something not all practise. This experience in Punjab was life-changing, allowing me to connect with its people, traditions, and cultures while sharing my own in return.
Being Maaori in India
This programme gave me a new understanding of what it means to be manuhiri—a guest on another’s land. And yet, I found that our culture, our language, and our traditions were embraced with warmth and respect.
I learned what it means to be Maaori overseas, outside of Aotearoa, and this experience deepened my gratitude and pride for my identity as tangata whenua. No matter where I am in the world, my whakapapa and reo remain unwavering.
One of the proudest moments of my journey was speaking te reo Maaori to university students at NMIS and organisations across Mumbai. To mihi in my own language, to speak the names of my maunga, moana, awa, tuupuna, and hapuu thousands of kilometers from home—it reminded me of the journeys my tuupuna once took across vast oceans. In that moment, it felt as if they were speaking through me.
I have returned from India with a new perspective and an even deeper love for who we are as Maaori. To see our culture through the eyes of others, to witness how it is cherished beyond Aotearoa, has left me in awe once again.
These are just snippets of my time in India, but I hope you have enjoyed this glimpse into such a beautiful and transformative journey.
Teenaa koutou, teenaa koutou, teenaa ra tatou katoa.