Raukura 2007: Leadership amongst Maoridom
January 23, 2008
This is part of a series of posts using reflections produced by staff and participants at the Raukura: Intro to Strategic Leadership Module held at St Johns College, Auckland, in December 2007.
These reflections have been compiled as a Study Guide, and are available in printed form for below cost at $10.00 a copy including postage and handling (contact us for more details). Alternatively, you can download a PDF version here.
Leadership amongst Maoridom
By Ngira Simmonds, Manu Kokiri in Te Manawa o Te Wheke
The practice of leadership amongst Maoridom has always been prominent. Kaumatua and Rangatira have had important roles in the Marae and other aspects of our culture; however in 2007 this leadership is very different from what it traditionally was. Te Haahi Mihinare has been blessed with many great leaders both clerical and laity. In this piece of writing I am going to use people who I believe had a notable style of leadership, similar to that of Jesus that we hear about in the Gospels.
The Maori Queen
Te Arikinui Te Atairangikahu, the late Maori Queen, was a woman of great knowledge, power and humility. In her role she led her people for over forty years, and I recall at her funeral service a quote from the preacher that day, The Most Reverend Te Whakahuihui Vercoe, who said “Forty years ago, I thought the Maori world had come to an end when they elected a woman to be their leader.” For Maori this was a big step in a new direction, and Te Arikinui was the right woman to do that. Like Jesus she was shepherd. She led with dignity and did not hesitate, like Jesus was, while still remaining in control and having the utmost grace.
Parallels can be drawn from her leadership to that of the shepherd. Many of our Kaumatua on our Marae still elect to use this, what I would call traditional style of leadership. A very servanthood style, which in reality, for youth ministry in 2007 within Tikanga Maori, is something hard to do, and to maintain. Nevertheless, I still believe that these Rangatira display a style of leadership that is important, a style that is becoming rarer.
In my job as Manu KÅkiri for Te Manawa o Te Wheke, I think aspects of this style of leadership are required and I endeavour to emulate them as often as possible. I think most people are attracted to a humble leader, such as Te Arikinui was. The humility of Jesus was such that even as he hung on the cross he did not condemn those who had put him there. “Forgive them Father, for they know not what they do” were the words he used, according to Luke’s Gospel. This aspect of leadership as displayed through many of our Maori Rangatira was used by Jesus, and is something that I try to use in my Ministry. It is a challenge and at times I fall short.
Archbishop Hui Vercoe
The other person who I wish to use an example of great leadership is The Most Reverend Te Whakahuihui Vercoe, former Archbishop of Aotearoa-New Zealand and Polynesia, and Pihopa o Aotearoa. Archbishop Hui was most famous for his “honour the treaty” speech at Waitangi in 1990. However he also did a lot of other work amongst Tikanga Maori in the time that he was Te Pihopa o Aotearoa. In a press release in 2005 the Archbishop was described as “impatient, cranky, lacking in good grace, authoritarian, inclined, sometimes to feud.” However the Archbishop was a man of great leadership, and like Te Arikinui, also had some similarities of the leadership of Jesus Christ.
In the Gospel of Luke, chapters 12 and 13, Jesus makes some very radical statements. However I believe that at this point in Jesus ministry he is aware of His task and His calling. I believe to some degree this applies for Archbishop Hui. He was aware of his calling and was not afraid to tell it how was. Like Jesus, Archbishop had strong convictions, and at times was very quick to judge. However the leadership that they both display is something that we can learn from. To not back down, be strong in our faith and calling from God. Both these men did that. As leaders we are required to make decisions that at times will not please everybody, but a decision must be made, and a good leader makes the decision and sticks to it. Archbishop Hui displayed this quality.
Leading like Christ
Both these leaders in Te Ago Maori, Te Arikinui Te Atairangikahu, and The Most Reverend Te Whakahuihui Vercoe, had very different styles of leadership. They were at opposite ends of the spectrum. However similarities can be drawn from both of them to the leadership of Jesus. This to me, in my context, tells me that Jesus was a great leader, and I believe that all must strive to lead like He did. Obviously we will fall considerably short of that of the Messiah – however, I believe that we must aim to be “Christ like disciples.”
As the Youth Enabler of Te Manawa o Te Wheke, both these people have influenced my ministry and style to which I undertake it, and aim to lead youth in my Amorangi. Leadership is something that changes with time, both personally and culturally. In 2007, leaders within Maoridom have different qualities that are required for the tasks ahead of us. With the guidance of God, and using Jesus as an example of great leadership, I believe that we of Te Pihopatanga o Aotearoa can pave a way forward into the future for our people of Aotearoa.
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