Te Kaupapa | The INITIATIVE
He Ika Haehae Kupenga shares kōrero with Māori from across Aotearoa New Zealand. It presents articles and interviews, exploring connections between kai, lifestyle, te taiao, hauora, and non-human animals.
Kaiwhakatipu, Philip McKibbin (Ngāi Tahu) explains, 'The phrase ‘he ika haehae kupenga’ is a kupu whakarite, a metaphor, which typically refers to someone who is a troublemaker. It literally means ‘the fish who tears the net’. So, a fish who tears the net and gets free – and who, in doing so, allows other fish to escape as well. I think of these ika as individuals who recognise that sometimes we need to challenge the status quo and do things differently.'
That image, of a fish tearing a net, provoked a kaupapa Māori framework for exploring individuals’ contributions to the development of tikanga around kai, and for critique flowing from aroha. Importantly, this kaupapa takes an inclusive approach, recognising that the issues relating to kai are complex. There is strength in diversity, and a plurality of perspectives gives us more resources for creating a better future for tātou katoa, and for addressing challenges.
Kaiwhakatipu, Philip McKibbin (Ngāi Tahu) explains, 'The phrase ‘he ika haehae kupenga’ is a kupu whakarite, a metaphor, which typically refers to someone who is a troublemaker. It literally means ‘the fish who tears the net’. So, a fish who tears the net and gets free – and who, in doing so, allows other fish to escape as well. I think of these ika as individuals who recognise that sometimes we need to challenge the status quo and do things differently.'
That image, of a fish tearing a net, provoked a kaupapa Māori framework for exploring individuals’ contributions to the development of tikanga around kai, and for critique flowing from aroha. Importantly, this kaupapa takes an inclusive approach, recognising that the issues relating to kai are complex. There is strength in diversity, and a plurality of perspectives gives us more resources for creating a better future for tātou katoa, and for addressing challenges.
|
Kaiwhakatipu | EditorPhilip (Piripi) McKibbin (Ngāi Tahu) is an independent writer. He holds a Master of Arts in Philosophy from the University of Auckland and diplomas in te reo Māori from Te Wānanga o Aotearoa. He is an animal lover (he tino pai ki a ia ngā naki me ngā takahē), and it was his concern for animals that initially motivated him to try vegetarianism. These days, he is vegan – for the animals, for the environment, and for his health. He is passionate about te reo Māori, which he tutors; he also helps to organise Kapa Kōrero, a reo Māori conversation group, in Tāmaki-makau-rau, where he lives. Recently, he and his friends have been sketching and developing the Politics of Love, te Mātāpuna Aroha, a vision of politics which centres love. His book, Love Notes: for a Politics of Love, is published in the U.S. by Lantern Books.
|
Ringatoi | ArtistHuriana Kopeke-Te Aho (Tūhoe, Ngāti Porou, Rongowhakaata, Te Āti Haunui-a-Pāpārangi, Ngāti Kahungunu) is a self-taught artist whose work is primarily influenced by their Māori whakapapa, takatāpui identity, and political beliefs. Huriana says, 'I wanted to create images that reflected the beauty and diversity of te taiao.' They hope that profiling some of Aotearoa's unique species will bring attention to the need to protect and preserve these taonga. Among the species represented are harakeke, kōkako, pīwaiwaka, kekeno, tuna, tohorā, karo, and kōwhai. The kōwhaiwhai pattern represents growth in unity. 'My interpretation of that is that it takes many of us doing our part to protect and preserve te taiao,' they say.
|
|