Te Arawa recently celebrated our own people with an awards programme arranged and co-ordinated by Te Papa Takaro o Te Arawa - and what a night it was. All of those who had given their lives in dedication to academia and sports at school level were acknowledged, as were our most elite senior sportspeople. It is appropriate that we celebrate them all.
I was amazed at some aspects of the evening. Firstly we had some stunning entertainment, with fantastic singers. They were simply awesome - guitars were their only instrument and they were able to deliver such a sweet sound. Maisey Rika attended and did what only she can do. She can really stir the emotions. That aside, I found myself thinking throughout the night just how easy it is for our people to entertain - we really should celebrate that skill.
The rules of the night stipulated that the event was mainly for each school to nominate their own students, but in some categories there were very few students to be seen. Sometimes we suffer from that famous saying "the potato never talks about its own sweetness". Perhaps because of that, some people did not submit their names, tending to bow to embarrassment and humility. Humility, if you will. We should, I think, remember that if we do not celebrate our own achievements, perhaps no one else will either.
It was on that line of thinking that Rangikahiwa Muller and George Thomas were inducted to the "Hall of Fame". Rangikahiwa is well on in years now - she is a familiar face at hui in Ohinemutu but she is also a woman who has worn the famous Silver Fern for Aotearoa in softball. For George, he has achieved at the highest levels not just for Aotearoa, but for the world.
We also had the opportunity on the night to acknowledge Wetini Mitai-Ngatai for his many achievements in kapa haka and Te Whare Tu Taua.
