350 days ago

Te Whakapūtanga o te Atua - Day 33

Kiran Reddy from Mount Eden

In the sacred valleys of Aotearoa, beneath the watchful gaze of the maunga and the whispering ngahere, there was a time when harmony within the iwi began to crumble. The values of tikanga (righteousness) and manaakitanga (compassion) were neglected. Greed, conflict, and disregard for the whenua had begun to take root, threatening the balance cherished by the people.

The kaumātua of the iwi gathered at the marae to seek guidance. They performed long karakia, calling upon the atua and Io Matua Kore, the supreme source of all life. As they chanted, a warm breeze swept through the wharenui, and the voice of Tāne Mahuta, the atua of the forest, resonated through the air like a gentle waiata.

When tikanga fades and matekiri (disharmony) arises, Tāne said, Io Matua Kore, through the atua, manifests anew to restore balance and guide the people back to the ways of light.

Soon after, a child was born to the iwi, surrounded by signs of divine blessing. Birds of all kinds gathered at the whare, and the rivers flowed with an unusual clarity. The kaumātua named the child Rongo, after the atua of peace and cultivated lands, believing he would be the one to lead the iwi back to harmony.

As Rongo grew, his wisdom far surpassed his years. He taught the people to honor kaitiakitanga (guardianship) of the whenua, to uphold manaakitanga for one another, and to align their actions with tikanga. He reminded them that life was a sacred connection between the wairua, the whenua, and Io Matua Kore.

When righteousness wanes and shadows grow, Rongo would say, we must remember the teachings of the atua. For in each of us, their spirit is alive, and through us, the balance can be restored.

Under his guidance, the iwi flourished again. They planted trees, nurtured their rivers, and cared for one another as whānau. Balance and peace returned to the land, and the harmony of tapu and noa was restored.

Moral of the Story:

When tikanga (righteousness) declines and the balance of life is disrupted, the divine manifests through those chosen to lead and guide the people. It is our collective duty to listen, to act, and to restore the harmony that sustains all of creation.

More messages from your neighbours
3 days ago

Auckland, why are we so excited about a new store? 🚗🛒

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

I think we’ve all seen the traffic notices and headlines about the new IKEA by now!

So here’s the question: why do we get so excited when a new store opens? Convenience? Curiosity? A reason for a weekend outing? We’d love to hear your thoughts!

Keen for an update? The Post has you covered

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4 days ago

A riddle to start the festive season 🌲🎁🌟

The Riddler from The Neighbourly Riddler

I'm a fruit. If you take away my first letter, I'm a crime. If you take away my first two letters, I'm an animal. If you take away my first and last letter, I'm a form of music. What am I?

Do you think you know the answer? Simply 'Like' this post if you know the answer and the big reveal will be posted in the comments at 2pm on the day!

Want to stop seeing these in your newsfeed?
Head here and hover on the Following button on the top right of the page (and it will show Unfollow) and then click it. If it is giving you the option to Follow, then you've successfully unfollowed the Riddles page.

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13 minutes ago

From Mid-December 2025, mobile providers across Aotearoa will be switching off their 3G networks to make way for faster, more reliable 4G and 5G services.

Brian from Mount Roskill

By the end of 2025, mobile providers across Aotearoa will be switching off their 3G networks to make way for faster, more reliable 4G and 5G services. While this change will bring better coverage and performance in the long run, we know it might mean an unexpected upgrade for some customers—and that can feel like a big step.
If your current mobile phone or device relies on 3G, you will no longer be able to connect to a New Zealand 3G network once the 3G network is switched off. That’s why now is a good time to check if you’re 4G or 5G ready.
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