Summary

The author reflects on a transformative hiking trip in New Zealand, where they were deeply moved by the Maori culture, particularly the Haka dance and the pounamu stone, both of which symbolize strength, courage, and connection to the earth.

Abstract

The author, a writer and photographer, embarked on a two-week hiking expedition around New Zealand's South Island, expecting natural beauty but finding personal clarity and inspiration instead. They were struck by the Kiwi's respect for their environment and the sacredness of their wild spaces, especially as viewed through the lens of the indigenous Maori culture. The Maori Haka dance, a display of power and unity, profoundly affected the author, evoking a deep desire for inner strength and courage. The author also discovered the significance of the pounamu stone, a type of jade with spiritual importance to the Maori, which is believed to absorb and transfer the wearer's power. The author, who does not subscribe to new-age beliefs, finds personal significance in the pounamu as a reminder of self-affirmation and the courage to face life's challenges. The article concludes with a call to action for readers to support the author's writing and the charity Save The Children, emphasizing the importance of stories and courage in shaping one's life.

Opinions

The author admires the New Zealanders' (Kiwis) reverence for their natural environment and the Department of Conservation's efforts to maintain it.
The Maori Haka dance is seen as a powerful ritual that fosters unity and embodies strength, courage, and determination.
The author expresses a personal yearning for the qualities exemplified by the Haka and the Maori culture, such as confidence and commitment to excellence.
The pounamu stone is viewed as a tangible symbol of courage and a connection to the Maori heritage, despite the author's skepticism of crystal powers.
The author believes in the power of self-affirmation and personal narratives, suggesting that courage is not gifted but earned through facing fears.
The author encourages readers to craft their own stories and live boldly, using the pounamu as a metaphor for personal talismans that remind us of our values and strengths.
The author seeks support for their writing, framing it as a way to inspire others to live courageously, and promotes their subscription service and charity work with Save The Children.

What Do You Hunger For?

The Maoris of New Zealand have the answer

I have just finished a two-week hiking expedition in New Zealand, circumnavigating the South Island with two guides and six fellow trekkers. I expected to find magnificent vistas but found clarity instead.

Traveling to New Zealand has been a lifelong dream of mine. I love the wilderness, mountains, remote rivers, the challenge of long treks, and this country offers all those in abundance. I am a writer and a photographer, and I was crazy excited to be able to photograph some pretty remarkable places in addition to collecting a few stories along the way.

The first thing I noticed upon leaving Christchurch and embarking on the trip was how reverently the Kiwis treat their environment. All their national parks are free, and the Department of Conservation works feverishly to control invasive species. Their wild spaces are sacred, especially in the eyes and hearts of the Maoris. Americans could learn a lot from the Kiwis.

The Haka: Power that will overwhelm you

The Maoris are the indigenous people of New Zealand, having arrived from various Polynesian islands about 700 years ago. You might have seen the professional rugby team, The All Blacks, performing their intimidating ‘haka’ before a match. The Haka is a traditional Maori dance. Here’s an example:

The Haka radiates strength, courage, and relentless determination in a spine-tingling fashion. It is a powerful glue connecting the team members — they never play a match without first performing one.

The first time I saw a Haka performed was in the movie Invictus, starring Matt Damon. As soon as it began, I began to cry. To this day, I can’t witness one and do not feel goosebumps cascading down my arms.

I cried because I wanted that same strength inside me. I wanted the courage and resolute commitment to excellence evident in those men. I wanted to be grounded in the cement of confidence. I was hungry for it.

The Pounamu: I know what you are hungry for

Are you hungry for an unshakable inner citadel? Do you yearn for courage, resilience, and deep connections with others? I believe you do. How do I know? Because you are human — we are all a blend of weaknesses and strengths.

Like you and me, humans are very good at wearing masks. Masks that portray confidence and bravado. What often lingers beneath the surface is a frightened child

About halfway through our hiking tour, I noticed our guides wore beautiful green stones around their necks. When I asked them to tell me the story behind them, they had this to say…

These are ‘pounamu,’ or green stones. They are made of a very specific type of jade called nephrite. Nephrite is only permitted to be collected and carved by members of the Maori tribe. A pounamu absorbs the power of the person wearing it and can be gifted to someone else who will inherit that power.

The pounamu is infused with courage, strength, and the power of the earth.

I cried again. I cry a lot.

The only thing I bought on that trip besides coffee was a pounamu (pronounced ‘poo-nah-mu’).

You can’t touch courage, but you can create it

I do not believe in the power of crystals or other ‘new-age’ ideas. What I do believe in is the power of self-affirmation. Every time I touch the pounamu around my neck, I reaffirm my strength. I matter. I have something to say.

The pounamu hanging around my neck embodies the heritage of the Maori people. Their story is now part of my story. The pounamu reminds me that I owe it to myself to make my life as sensational as it is meaningful.

Nobody can gift you courage, but they can remind you of what is rightfully yours. You earn courage every time you stare in the face of fear or intimidation and perform your own Haka in your mind. You move through the fear and greet courage on the other side.

You earn courage every time you stare in the face of fear or intimidation and perform your own Haka.

Some people have tattoos that remind them of what is important in their lives, and some carry photographs that do the same. I wear my pounamu.

Craft your story carefully

What makes the pounamu so potent is not the stone but the story behind it. As a small child, I remember my grandmother holding rosary beads. Those beads told the story of forgiveness for her, and she felt forgiven every time she touched them.

Stories are good medicine for the soul. Take care in creating them.

Dance your Haku. Design your pounamu and hold it firmly. Live boldly.

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