I feel lucky. I've almost been at my new job three weeks, and so far every week has been a four day week!!  In busy Auckland, the city of madness, I am managing to take it easy - I work hard mind you. I guess it feels like the pressure is off... not too full on.

I was wondering how I would spend Waitangi, I've been thinking about the possibility of music and dance. I've decided that weather permitting, and perhaps even if it's not so weather permitting a day on a beach, a quiet one if I can find it is in order. I am dreaming of a moody wind swept day, where my hair gets blasted and I can feel the air move through all of me. Perhaps a bit of sun could be in order too... Tomorrow will tell, in the mean time I am looking forward to connecting with nature, as surely Waitangi is about land.

I am here, in my case because one of my ancestors threw an ink well at his father and was sent to New Zealand (or so the story goes). I feel like I owe it to Aotearoa to tread more lightly, with compassion, peace and understanding for the environment and the peoples of this land - indigenous or not. My ancestors did not fully comprehend what lay behind their passage here; the cost of their being here. Some of my generation sees this a little more clearly; rights of first peoples' being abused, land being altered and sometimes desecrated and a new way of being being imposed. I hope that tomorrow I can consciously tread lightly and honour this place.

Comments

[Kimberley]

I'd love to hear about your new job - are you journalisting? I love where you say you are dreaming of a moody wind swept day - I live in Wellington where I dream of still, warm nights when I can wander outside at midnight in my nightie to find out what the cat is up to. We get enough moody wind swept days thankyouverymuch.

[Helen]

This is a beautiful post!

I spent last night camping (just got home) and woke up to the sound of bellbirds - a happy Waitangi Day, indeed.