As the child of two immigrants from different sides of the planet
And as an immigrant myself, having left a place that seemed unsafe at the time
All I have now is my tūrangawaewae (a place to stand)
Here, New Zealand, Aotearoa gave to me that and more.
Aotearoa shares with its people the principles of whanaungatanga (relationships) and manaakitanga (hospitality).
For my children, this is all I can only give to them.
Together with that strong sense of kaitiakitanga (guardianship) that I hope runs deep into their kiwi hearts, they know where they stand is theirs to respect and protect.
My girls know we stand here together with our whanau (family).
And that is why I am bounded by the Māori principles of place, relationships, hospitality, and guardianship.
And that is why I am both thankful and bounded to these principles in my everyday craft of placemaking.