Inspired by his tamariki, Ian has set out to better understand his heritage, to learn te reo, and earlier this year, trekked the South Island’s Hollyford Track to connect with his Ngāi Tahu roots.
Ian says this has been an incredibly transformational and enriching experience which has profoundly impacted his life, including his approach to wellbeing.
Inspired by the next generation
My journey back to my Māori roots really began with my kids. They’ve been my greatest teachers. As parents, we think it’s up to us to pass on knowledge, but we can learn so much from the younger generation. My boys, Flynn and Noah, inspired me to explore te reo Māori, tikanga Māori, and the spiritual aspects of our culture.
It really kicked off when a wonderful Māori teacher, Hone Heke Rankin, came into our lives. Through Waka Ama and Kapa Haka, my boys connected to their heritage, and from there our family’s journey unfolded. It didn’t just reconnect me, but also my mother and wider whānau to our roots.
This experience has reminded me how the younger generation can connect us to things we weren’t encouraged to explore when we were growing up. I grew up in a generation where connecting to my Māori heritage wasn’t encouraged and I now have a hunger to renew my sense of belonging.
Returning to our roots
My first marae visit to Ōnuku Marae in Banks Peninsula back in 2019, was an important moment. Growing up in the North Island, I didn’t have much contact with my Ngāi Tahu side. We weren’t discouraged from embracing our Māori heritage, but it wasn’t fostered either. Standing on the marae, surrounded by others from Ngāi Tahu, everything just made sense.
From Ōnuku, our journey led us to Puketeraki, another marae near Dunedin, where my whānau continued to explore our whakapapa (ancestors). These experiences have brought our family closer to each other, to our ancestors, and to the journeys they took that have shaped our lives today.
The power of whakapapa
What I’ve learned is the strength that comes from knowing your whakapapa. It’s a reminder that you’re never alone. You belong to a long line of people, an extended whānau, and a wider iwi. This journey has grounded me in a way that I never fully understood before.
In Māoridom, the concept of ‘whānau’ extends far beyond immediate family. It’s powerful to know that you have a network of support, through your iwi, hapū (subtribe), or marae. That’s one of the greatest lessons from this journey.
A new approach to wellness
Before reconnecting with my Māori roots, I saw wellness in terms of mental and physical health. This journey has introduced me to the spiritual side of wellness, something I never appreciated before. It’s taught me patience and given me a long-term view of life. In Western culture, we often focus on short-term goals – what we want to achieve in one year, five years or ten years. But Māori culture encourages you to think beyond that, and to consider the impact on future generations. Now I think about how the actions I take today will affect my kids and their kids.
This has changed how I approach everything – from my health and work to how I interact with people. I’ve learned to slow down, be patient, and focus on the bigger picture.
Embracing the journey
For anyone looking to reconnect with their cultural roots, my advice is to start today. Life is busy, and it’s easy to stay in your comfort zone, but even the smallest step outside that zone can bring incredible rewards. The biggest challenge is finding the courage to begin.
A tip that’s helped me is listening to Māori podcasts or Māori radio. I don’t speak te reo fluently yet, and we don’t use it at home all the time, but hearing the language even in the background helps me feel more connected and confident. You don’t need to learn every word, but immersing yourself in the sounds and rhythm of te reo can make a difference.
The legacy of connection
When I think about the legacy I want to leave for future generations, it’s all about connection. I want my kids, and their kids, to understand the importance of whānau and whenua (land), and how those connections ground us. It’s about caring for the land so that it cares for us and ensuring that we pass on our culture and values to the next generation.
But more than that, I want to leave them with the understanding that life is a journey. You don’t need to rush. Be patient and remember the rewards of this journey are not just for you, but for everyone around you.
A final message
I’ve been so blessed by the support of my whānau and the people who have guided me on this journey. For anyone starting their own path, know that you’re not alone. There is so much support and encouragement out there, and the huge value of reconnecting with your culture makes it so worthwhile. The journey might be long, but it’s worth every step.
