Merepeka Raukawa-Tait: Farewell to a great man

Dr Apirana Mahuika

Both events happened this week and the contrast couldn't have been more different. The passing of a great New Zealander, Dr Apirana Mahuika, and the court appearance of 17-year-old Hendrix Hauwai. The three-day tangi of Dr Mahuika saw a continuous stream of hundreds of people travelling to Tikitiki to pay their respects and tributes to his achievements.

They came from all corners of New Zealand with some returning from overseas. Eminent New Zealanders, respected tribal elders and leaders from other iwi and thousands of his own Ngati Porou people.

Such was the mana of Dr Mahuika. They paid homage to a man who was greatly respected and admired by Pakeha and Maori alike. A learned man who loved his country, his people and the wider New Zealand society.

Dr Mahuika, like the great leaders before him, never thought short term.

They knew the desirable New Zealand this country will be in 200 hundred years depended on their hard work that had to be sustained over many decades. Those who worked with Dr Mahuika, and heard him speak so eloquently in both languages, knew him as a man of vision and foresight. Who always stressed the importance of education to Maori so as to ensure they took their rightful leadership roles in New Zealand. Be that in business, academia, the church, government departments or politics.

And when you look at the significant national and business leadership positions Ngati Porou occupy you can see this clarion call was fully embraced by Dr Mahuika's own people. He was a man of action. Governments come and go but a tribal leader, of the largest iwi in New Zealand, accepts that during his lifetime he has to continue to build the platform for the wellbeing of future generations.

Dr Mahuika's potential would have been identified at an early age. He would have been nurtured, mentored and supported for the leadership roles that were to come his way. He was able to realise his potential for the benefit of all New Zealanders.

At the other extreme we have the short life history of 17-year-old Hendrix Hauwai.

He appeared in court last week for assaulting good Samaritan Lucy Knight. A mother of six children. Not one person, family member or anyone else for that matter, showed up in court to support the young man.

The judge was right to say: "Your mother and father should be standing in the dock with you for sentencing".

But why limit it to just his mother and father. This young man has whakapapa. Something Maori are always quick to highlight and claim.

The judge should have continued: "where are your whanau, hapu and iwi. Those who also have a responsibility to ensure your wellbeing and that you reach your potential?".

I suspect Hendrix wouldn't know what potential is. When no one tells him "you are a favoured son" that "you can be and do anything you put your mind to" then he probably thinks life now is probably as good as it gets. You have to constantly hear positive messages, and start to believe them from a young age. Otherwise nothing much happens. You can't tell me this young man was born bad. Very few people are.

But his life has already turned the wrong corner. He was sentenced to five years in jail.

Hendrix Hauwai had potential. He could have been nurtured and mentored for greatness too.

Why not? He could have made a significant positive impact on this country. I hope some of the hundreds who travelled to Tikitiki will spare some time over the next five years to pay Hendrix a visit while he's in jail.

Being abandoned by whanau is bad enough, but when hapu and iwi can't be bothered then a bleak future stretches ahead.