These Pīwakawaka reflect the tension of retaining cultural identity and the integration or fusing of peoples, religions and races.  How do we, as an increasingly global people, hold and value each other’s cultural and religious identities? And honour each other in a bi-cultural/multi-cultural way? How do we as the people of Aotearoa honour and value tāngata whenua in a way that upholds the mana of the Treaty, working together in equal partnership and kotahitanga (unity) and not just continuing to take from the people and whenua (land) without also giving in return.

 

The Pīwakawaka is a symbol of the wero (challenge) that is laid before us. When we enter these sacred domains, when we come to this whenua, do we come in peace and love, honesty and truth?