I am overwhelmed and moved by all the love and support that I have received from my post, ‘Who am I, Maori or White.’ I can not thank you enough. Love to you all.
To be honest the post was meant for whanau and friends. I wasn’t expecting it to go as far as it has. And my whanau and friends understood where I was coming from. They got it.
At the end of 2020 I withdrew from my roles at the marae. There is a drought of up and coming Kaumatua for my area, and there are those working in isolation needing support. Some wish for me to return to my roles, however I feel that the best way for me to serve my whanau and iwi is to focus on my work with Warrior Kids, my writing and speaking.
A whanaunga said that I needed to have thicker skin. Love you my cousin, however I’m not one for politics.
In all that I say and do I am accountable to my iwi, (Ngāti Kuri, Ngāti Whatua), I am accountable to my hapu, (Te uri o hau), I am accountable to my marae, (Ripia, Naumai, Te hiku O te Ika), and I am accountable to my whanau.
I know my whakapapa, where I belong and who I represent. I love my whanau and I know who I am.
I understand that some maybe upset to see this white fella with a maori name being who I am. However to be anyone else would disrespect my tupuna and whanau. To my grandparents, Aunties and Uncles I was their White Moko, and I am told by my elders that I do them proud. Best keep going then eh.
Thank you again for your love and support.
Ngā mihi nui
Tim
Photo is of me as a boy with some of my aunties.
First published on Facebook and Linkedin July 7th, 2021.
Copyright© Tim Tipene, 2021.
