I've written several times about the nonsense that is "wadeable", saying "swimmable" makes more sense - Marama went further and said "drinkable". She reminded us that it wasn't that long ago our waters were a primary food source.
Marama also talked about the harm possible when attempting to redirect the path of rivers and warned that we shouldn't forget or "the river will rise up and remind us who's the boss".
We need to work with nature, not against it, including being realistic about our increased flooding risks in Whanganui in light of accelerating climate change.
Facing facts of how the environment works and the changes happening seems like an obvious place to start. So I was more than disappointed to read the independent Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment issue strong criticism of the 2015 State of the Environment Report.
As one of the kuia at the marae asked: "Why do they think they can pull the wool over our eyes?"
Setting out a clear position on the key environmental issues we're facing to help focus on the most important is vital. Allowing a sloppy report go out - our country's first report under a new three-yearly requirement - reeks of a casual approach, or worse.
On a positive note, one of the things I like about being at a marae for meetings is the presence of children. This week was no different. I like seeing children listening quietly when elders speak, seeing little ones being allowed to run around and giggle without disrupting proceedings, school students being exposed to adult conversations about environmental challenges, and hearing first-hand what their uncles and aunties are doing about it. I wish I'd thought to bring my boys along.
Last weekend I experienced having my own children part of a working event. I attended New Zealand's first "Women Who Get Shit Done" gathering with a group of about 100 women from around the country. There were engineers, artists, entrepreneurs, poets, scientists, policy analysts, mums, students, caf owners, and a splattering of CEOs - it was a shot in the arm to be connected to such inspiring people.
My boys were among 12 children who were incredibly well looked-after by the organisers, at no extra charge, so I and other parents could fully take part in the conference.
As soon as they woke up in the morning, my boys were demanding to get back to the "kids club" and have more fun. And I loved not having to completely compartmentalise my life to be involved.
As Sheryl Sandberg of www.leanin.org says: "Bring your whole self to work. I don't belive we have a professional self Monday through Friday and a real self the rest of the time. It's all professional and it is all personal."
-Nicola Patrick: has worked in the public, private and charitable sectors in Australia and New Zealand. Educated at Whanganui Girls' College, she has a science degree and is the mother of two boys. She is standing for Horizons Regional Council in October.
