Maori Gifts of the Garden from Aotearoa New Zealand.

Interviewed by Tim LynchNovember 3, 2007
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For across Aotearoa there are around 1200 Maraes, (community meeting areas), these are affiliated to the seven main iwis, (tribes), and the many sub tribes
- (hapu).

This is where extensive organic gardens based on permaculture methods will spring up around all maraes where young tamariki, (children) and moku puna,
(grandchildren) under the guidance of their kaumatua and kuia (wise male and female elders) tend the soil of Papatuanuku (Mother Earth) will plant
and grow fresh vital organic vegetables and fruit. This will  bring into being a new industry directly to maori, building self worth, major health
benefits, rongoā, (Maori medicine) eco-tourism, cooking classes, local trading, and set the template for Maori co-operatives to restore and develop
un-used Maori land across the country. Kaitiangtanga (Guardianship).     

With the use of the internet the young web savvy Maori will show their marae, utilising the latest in web cams, and taking people from around the
planet to ‘virtually’ hear a karanga, (call/invite) to journey through the gates, the (whaharoa), into the marae area, to the whare nui, the (large
meeting house), then under the carved mania, (lintel) that is over every door and enter into the inner realms of the building. Where under the decorated
heke's, the (rafters) one can view tukutuku specially (woven wall panelling) and large carved wooden teko teko (humanoid bodies) holding up the main
poles in the building and see that the carvings represent the iwis tipuna, (ancestors) as you follow the whakapapa (genetic lineage) of the present
tribe back to the 13th century, since their arrival from across the Pacific to Aotearoa. (NZ) in their waka (canoes).

Web access will allow the young ones to display their magnificent garden areas, as well as their produce, the abundance of their crops, and the bounty
of their production. Composting and mulching and raised beds with soil full of microflora will be shown as well as methods of growing maori food from
the past. Especially their revered kumara (sweet potato).

Everyone will be proud to be part of this huge co-operative effort. People will come from afar to view such a vibrant sight, and feel the (love),
the aroha of a people at peace, healthy, happy, joyful, singing (waiata) working with the land in a sacred act.

Yes - very soon all Marae will be gardens of health, virtue and life and light. It is coming.

The wairua ( the spirit) will ripple through the land, and aroha (unconditional love) will wash over us allowing the ahi (fire) to remain in our heart
(ngākau).

As for myself, Tim Lynch, my whakapapa, my lineage goes back via my great, great grand mother Hineka, from Ngati Kahungunu Te Wairoa - the iwi from
the Hawkes Bay region of Te ika a Maui, the North Island of New Zealand. Aotearoa.

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Tim Lynch

Tim Lynch, is a New Zealander, who is fortunate in that he has whakapapa, or a bloodline that connects him to the Aotearoan Maori. He has been involved as an activist for over 40 years - within the ecological, educational, holistic, metaphysical, spiritual & nuclear free movements. He sees the urgency of the full spectrum challenges that are coming to meet us, and is putting his whole life into being an advocate for todays and tomorrows children. 'To Mobilise Consciousness.'

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