Nga Rua Wahia

Draw close, welcome, people of the land and of the world, so you can see the source of song, so that you can see the guardians, so that you can see Tohu Kākahi and Te Whiti o Rongomai, the man who brings together the grievances of the country, the man who unfurled the emblem, who planted the seed of peace as a foundation for the world.

I have a passion, maybe that's not the right thing to say.
I have a broken heart for my people, for Maori.
I am Maori, Ngati Maniapoto is my iwi, Tainui my waka.

Stereotypically in this country Maori are no more than heavy drinking, wife beating, children killing mongrels.
Our culture is heavily, heavily dependant on self medication, drinking, drugs.
We are heavily immersed in the gang culture.

My heart has been broken for my people for a while now, too many young Maori hear the stereotypes about themselves, about drinking, smoking, drugs, stupidity, worthlessness.
The worst part of it is so many young Maori believe these stereotypes.
So many people accept these labels forsaking their culture and the beauty within.

On the morning of November 5 1881 the invasion force led by two Members of Parliament, both Cabinet Ministers entered Parihaka. More than 2000 Parihaka people sat quietly on the marae while children greeted the army.

Parihaka is one of the most beautiful examples of peaceful resistance in a world consumed by violence, predating Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr two thousand Maori men and women sit on a marae whilst their tama and wahine greet the men who would destroy, rape, pillage and kill, to see this in comparison to the state of my people today breaks my heart, there is such strength, intelligence, mana, and authority in Parihaka, and the same ideals shown that day are those i wish to emulate in my lifetime and in the ministry I am apart of.

This is the true heritage my people hold in their veins, and this is what i desire to show them, and possibly myself.

Influenced by Shane Claiborne's book Irresistible Revolution, and my experiences this year as a part of the Intermission course at Carey Baptist Bible college
I have decided to move to Nga Rua Wahia at the end of 2010 to start a home of hospitality with the aim of one day becoming a home for Maori youth in the foster care system here in New Zealand.

For the first few years I plan simply to immerse myself in the community hoping to partner or interact with several community groups and churches situated nearby.
Becoming a part of the community rather than a rescuer, making strangers neighbours, and projects people rather than have the mentality of a saviour.
I want my mentality and lifestyle to be scripturally based, so I am currently studying the scriptures in order to ascertain the lifestyle choices I will need to make.

I dont know nearly as much as i would like to about my culture, so my first year down there will also be a year of study at the Wananga in Hamilton, and hopefully close study with Turanga Wai Wai Marae

I hope to achieve this by having close ties to the Marae in Nga Rua Wahia, to churches close by, and by having an open home, open fridge policy.
I plan to get involved in the community through local schools, events, etc.

BYM has also expressed an interest in helping in anyway they can, even in terms of finding people for me to partner with.

I need help with this project, prayer is a necessity, prayer for partnership with churches and organisations down near Nga Rua Wahia, a job down there as well, accommodation, and funding, (funding issues are always tricky arent they) prayer for endurance with this vision, commitment and perseverance
But the most important aspect of prayer is this, pray that the lords will be done rather than my own in this ministry He has chosen me for.

In the book of John we see Jesus gathering his disciples, the scriptures say this "43The next day Jesus decided to leave for Galilee. Finding Philip, he said to him, "Follow me."

44Philip, like Andrew and Peter, was from the town of Bethsaida. 45Philip found Nathanael and told him, "We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph."

46"Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?" Nathanael asked.
"Come and see," said Philip.

Can anything good come from there... yes, out of Nazareth and out of Nga Rua Wahia and out of the blood spilled in Parihaka good can come. Yes.

So my plan is to study scripture, keep in contact with BYM ministries, learn about my culture and try to do what God is prompting in the breaking of my heart.
Prayer would be invaluable, scripture priceless any way you can contribute to this would be muchly appreciated.
Also if this same cause breaks your heart please, get in contact with me Trent_hohaia@hotmail.com.

God Bless i hope to keep you updated with the going on's

Trent