GIFT IDEAS FOR CHRISTMAS
Tis the season to be jolly š Here at your local Red Cross shop our stockings are bursting full of Christmas gift ideas, and all your purchases go to a good cause! Pop in now at 571 Sandringham Road.
Poll: Should all neighbours have to contribute to improvements?
An Auckland court has ruled a woman doesnāt have to contribute towards the cost of fixing a driveway she shares with 10 neighbours.
When thinking about fences, driveways or tree felling, for example, do you think all neighbours should have to pay if the improvements directly benefit them?
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82.5% Yes
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14.7% No
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2.8% Other - I'll share below
The Influence of the WhÄnau - Day 9
In a small MÄori pÄ (village) nestled beside a flowing river, a young boy named Rangi lived with his whÄnau. Rangi was curious and adventurous, always exploring the ngahere (forest) and listening to the stories of his kaumÄtua (elders). The kaumÄtua would often remind him, āHe waka eke noaāāwe are all in this together, and our actions affect the collective.
Rangi's best friend, Manu, was a clever boy but sometimes made poor choices. Manu had recently begun spending time with a group of older boys from another pÄ who were known for their reckless behavior. They would waste kai (food), leave rubbish in the ngahere, and even disturb the sacred awa (river) by throwing stones at eels.
One day, Manu invited Rangi to join the group, saying, āCome on, Rangi! Theyāre fun, and they wonāt hurt anyone. Weāre just having a good time!ā Unsure, Rangi agreed, feeling pressure to fit in.
The groupās leader, Matiu, proposed a game: they would sneak into the kaumÄtua's kumara patch at night and take some for a "feast." Rangi hesitated. He remembered the kaumÄtua saying how much work went into growing the kumara, with karakia (prayers) and care for the soil. But he stayed silent, feeling outnumbered.
That night, the group raided the garden. As they laughed and ate the stolen kumara by the fire, Rangi felt uneasy. He realized that this was not who he wanted to be. When he saw Manuās joy in impressing Matiu, Rangi felt torn but remained quiet.
The next morning, the kaumÄtua discovered the missing kumara and the trampled garden. They called the entire pÄ together, expressing sadness, not anger. āOur ancestors teach us that the whenua (land) provides for all of us, but only if we treat it with respect,ā said one elder. āWhen we harm the whenua, we harm ourselves.ā
Rangiās heart sank. That evening, he confessed to the kaumÄtua and his whÄnau, explaining everything. To his surprise, they did not scold him harshly. Instead, they said, āHe tangata tÄ«toki, he tangata rÄkauāa person is like a tree; they grow straight when supported by others. You must choose companions who uphold the values of your whÄnau and whenua.ā
Rangi decided to distance himself from Manuās new group and instead spent time with those who respected the land and upheld the teachings of their ancestors. Over time, he encouraged Manu to rejoin him, and together they worked to rebuild the kumara patch, learning from the kaumÄtua.
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Moral
This story highlights the importance of right company and like-mindedness. It shows that no one is inherently bad, but the influence of others and the situations we choose can lead us astray. Surrounding ourselves with those who uphold values like respect, care, and collective well-being ensures a life of balance and harmony.
Ka mua, ka muri ā by learning from the past, we can walk into the future.
Poll: When should the tree go up? š
From what we've heard, some Christmas trees are already being assembled and decorated.
What are your thoughts on the best time to get your Christmas tree up?
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4.8% Second half of November
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43.7% 1st December
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17.6% A week before Christmas
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32.8% Whenever you wish
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1.1% Other - I'll share below
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