A few years ago, we all saw photographs of a beautiful little baby across our TV screens. But this baby had been terribly abused by a group of people.
The question was asked how was it that adults could do what they did to just a small child. She was just a baby unable to parry the blows or respond to the verbal abuse.
What was to follow, was that families came together indeed some of those were of Ngati Rongomai. A plan was prepared where every effort was made to learn from the experience. The focus was to be on education, and over time the marae was opened up to house a school.
Here we are now some five to six years on and we have Te Wharekura o Ngati Rongomai. It is a small school but there are so many benefits that have come for the children, families and to the people of Ngati Rongomai. They get all of the worldly knowledge along with the songs of our ancestors, the ability to speak and call, to perform and participate in recreational activities. This is their educational banquet. The students stand proud, yet humble. The school has achieved many great achievements despite its size so Ngati Rongomai, take a bow. You are all to be congratulated from students to teachers, the families and indeed the tribe. Some good has come from a time of sadness. The White Ribbon campaign has hit the road recently. Dr Pita Sharples and myself are ambassadors for this campaign. So what is it all about? It aims to bring attention to domestic violence against women and children by men, it is that simple. Here is the pledge this year. "I promise never to commit, condone or remain silent about violence towards women."
So here is the challenge to us all. While you are reading this article at home or work, read it out loud so others can hear. Then they can hold you to account for what you have said.
