I went to the Hillcrest High School Maori Achievement Awards Evening this evening. It was great to see so many young people being celebrated for their academic, sporting, cultural and community achievements. One of the guest speakers was Norm Hill, proud son of Rāhui Pokeka (Huntly – former capital of Aotearoa!) environmentalist, conservationist and humble man. He talked of the values his mother instilled in him and his six siblings as they grew up in a state house in Huntly one of which was humility. He also talked of the responsibility of those in power to empower others to meet their potential. He finished with this message which I think says it all.
“Whāia te iti kahurangi, ki te tuohu koe, me he maunga teitei. Pursue excellence – should you stumble, let it be to a lofty mountain.”
