Tekau mā toru - Rāmere 13 Hakihea - Manaakitanga

Day 13 - Friday 13th December - Manaakitanga

He kaupapa mō te rā

Manaakitanga

Into this one word in reo fits an abundance of single english words to translate the inspiring concept of manaakitanga. Kindness, generosity, hospitality, support all offered with respect, care and compassion to people - this is manaakitanga.

Manaakitanga is the first cousin and equally as generous as aroha. It is deeply embedded in all those warm and fuzzy feelings we experience with aroha. The reciprocity of manaakitanga strengthens relationships in whānau, friendships, communities, and very importantly, the environment. When there is a tangi (funeral) at the marae, manaakitanga is a natural way in which others offer support to the whānau with kai (food), kōhā (financial support), working in the kitchen, and many aspects of help & care when it is needed. Manaaki mai, manaaki atu.

He Karaipiture (Bible Reading)

Ruka/Luke 1:39-45

Nā, ka whakatika a Meri i aua rā, ā, haere kaikā ana ki te whenua pukepuke ki tētahi pā o Hūrā; ā, ka tomo ki te whare o Hakaraia, ka oha ki a Erihāpeti. Ā, nō te rongonga o Erihāpeti, i te oha a Meri, ka koiri te tamaiti i roto i tōna kōpū; nā, kua kī a Erihāpeti i te Wairua Tapu. Ā, he nui tōna reo ki te karanga, ka mea, “Ka manaakitia koe i roto i ngā wāhine, ka manaakitia anō te hua o tōu kōpū. Nō hea hoki tēnei ki ahau, kia haere mai te whaea o tōku Ariki ki ahau? Nā, pā kau mai te reo o tāu oha ki ōku taringa, ka oho te tamaiti i tōku kōpū i te hari. Ka koa anō ia e whakapono ana, ka whakaritea hoki ngā mea i kōrerotia ki a ia e te Ariki.”

Soon afterward Mary got ready and hurried off to a town in the hill country of Judea. She went into Zechariah's house and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby moved within her. Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and said in a loud voice, “You are the most blessed of all women, and blessed is the child you will bear! Why should this great thing happen to me, that my Lord's mother comes to visit me? For as soon as I heard your greeting, the baby within me jumped with gladness. How happy you are to believe that the Lord's message to you will come true!”

Whakarongo/Titiro Mai (Listen/Watch)

Mary is a great support of Kererū Publishing. Mary and Caroline are currently working together on a long term writing project as time allows.

Ngā mea waihanga (Create)

Four plait small poi with feathered embellishments make for a great mounting on woven tablemats. The macrame small ‘korowai’ with harakeke (flax) threading beads create the patterned enhancement. In a gesture of manaakitanga these pieces were offered to hang at the Sir Paul Reeves Centre in St John’s College, Auckland.

He Whakaaroaro (Reflect)

So simple and seemingly straightforward, manaakitanga reflects so many of the values we celebrate at Christmas all wrapped into the gift of a single word. This is faith in action, God at work in our lives and in the lives of others. Imagine what our world, our country, our communities and our families would be like if everyone practiced manaakitanga. Combine manaakitanga with manaakiwhenua and that same care and respect extends in a dance of interdependency to caring for the land. God’s people at work in God’s world.

Whakahokia mai (Respond)

Think of a practical way you could offer manaakitanga to someone in your own community today or this week.

Karakia (Pray)

Hei mua koe i a mātou, e Ihowa, hei tohutohu i a mātou mahi katoa; ko koe anō hoki hei whakakaha i a mātou; kia whai korōria ai koe i a mātou mahi katoa, he tīmata, he mea mahi, he mea whakaoti i roto i a koe; kia whiwhi ai hoki mātou ki te ora tonu i te mea e atawhaitia nei e koe. Amine.

Go before us o Lord, in all our doings with your most gracious favour, and further us with your continual help; that in all our works, begun, continued and ended in you, we may glorify your holy name and finally by your mercy obtain everlasting life. Amen.

Subscriber Contributions

A photo of beautiful words about the taonga of reo from Simon via Suzanne.