By Dr Iwi Te Whau, Celebrants Aotearoa National Executive member
Navigating our space of influence
The Ode of Remembrance
E kore rātou e kaumātuatia
Pēnei i a tātou kua mahue nei
E kore hoki rātou e ngoikore
Ahakoa pēhea i ngā āhuatanga o te wā
I te hekenga atu o te rā
Tae noa ki te aranga mai i te ata
Ka maumahara tonu tātou ki a rātou.
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.
— By Laurence Binyon’s ‘For the Fallen’
Anzac Day marks the anniversary of the first campaign that led to major casualties for Australian and New Zealand forces during the First World War. The acronym ANZAC stands for Australian and New Zealand Army Corps, whose soldiers were known as Anzacs.
In Rotorua, we reflect on the remarkable life of Sir Robert Nairn "Bom" Gillies KNZM, a New Zealand soldier who served with B Company, 28th Battalion, during World War II.
As the last surviving member of the Māori Battalion, he was knighted on December 31, 2021, and left us on November 7, 2024, at the age of 99. His legacy serves as a beacon of strength, sacrifice, and resilience. This year I celebrated ANZAC at my marae alongside all my elders and whanau.
As celebrants, we are privileged to be part of many significant moments, including times of loss.
2024 was been a year of personal grief for me, having lost two influential people who were instrumental in shaping my journey as a leader in this country. My brother-in-law, Moke Kokoua, always ensured that his daughter and my sister were present for major milestones in our family’s life. Unfortunately, he passed before he could witness his daughter Kiarna’s graduation with a degree in teaching or my own graduation with a PhD in Indigenous Knowledge. The other person, Pastor Tataoro Te Ariki Kura Strickland, was a guiding light in my spiritual walk and a mentor in my theological studies.
Both of these tangihanga (funerals) were incredibly challenging to navigate, especially when I felt a deep sense of hopelessness. Yet, in the midst of sorrow, I held onto the wisdom they shared — the importance of looking after our people. This counsel continues to guide me as I serve in my role as a celebrant.
I am deeply grateful to be able to continue to serve, to encourage, and to celebrate the lives of others — a reminder of why I became who I am today. Even in times of grief, we carry forward the lessons of love, care, and connection, as we honour those who shaped our paths.
