Ko Whetumatarau rāua ko Maungakaka ōku maunga
Ko Awatere rāua ko Orotua ōku awa
Ko Horouta tōku waka
Ko Hinerupe rāua ko Mātahi o Te Tau ōku marae
Ko te Whānau a Hinerupe ki Waiapu rāua ko te Whānau a Hunaara ōku hapu
Ko Ngāti Porou tōku iwi
Ko Shannon tōku ingoa
My roots are anchored in the whenua of Te Araroa and Te Tairāwhiti; places woven into the fabric of my childhood, where summers smelt of earth and sea, and where my tūrangawaewae whispered of belonging long before I understood it. These places aren’t just memories; they are part of me, sacred markers of whakapapa, constantly reminding me of where I come from and who I continue to be.
Walking in my Māoritanga hasn’t always been easy. I have fair skin, light hair, and I don’t speak te reo fluently. There have been countless times when I’ve felt I wasn’t “Māori enough” to claim the stories of my tīpuna. That imposter voice can be loud. But I have come to understand that Māoritanga isn’t measured by appearance, blood quantum, or fluency. If you whakapapa Māori, you are Māori.
I recognise my privilege. I know that my fair skin has, in many ways, shielded me from the discrimination and inequity I might otherwise have faced. That reality isn’t lost on me, and I don’t write this to dismiss or downplay it. Alongside that truth, I’ve discovered a deeper sense of purpose and identity through embracing my culture. By standing firm in who I am, I’ve realised that I’m not just honouring myself but also making my family proud.
Reconnecting has been a journey – gentle and fierce all at once. Beginning te reo Māori studies sparked a quiet revolution within me. Receiving my tā moko marked another significant milestone. It carries my grandparents, etched into my skin and forever part of my story.
To anyone wondering if they belong, know this: you do. Your bloodline carries the stories. Your ancestors are proud. You don’t need to prove anything to anyone. Just keep walking, keep speaking, keep learning. Your Māoritanga is a living inheritance.
Stand tall in it, even when others question you. Especially then. You are the dream of those who came before and the strength of those who are yet to come.
Kia kaha, always.
Shanlivvy 