A Glass Full of Water

Walking down from our road for an early morning swim, we saw a neighbour walking towards us with a large plank of wood on his shoulder (As you do). “What are you up to?” I asked with a smile. “Nothing much. The council haven’t fixed the seat by the town hall for ages, so I thought I’d fix it, paint it and put it back all ‘tickety boo’”. Another time he repaired a bus shelter. My job was to keep perfectly still holding a clamp for him. It felt a bit naughty but it was the right thing to do. Kids waiting for the bus on a rainy day no longer get wet. Without help he has removed graffiti and made road repairs. We love the way he sees a need in the community and does something about it. He continues to mow the lawns for a neighbour who has had a recent knee operation. She commented, “How lovely of him. Such a darling.” His knees aren’t the best either, but that doesn’t stop him.  A few months ago he installed a gate across a driveway in another neighbour’s property, so their toddler cou...

Every bit of dumped road sweepings (3.2 tonnes) car tyres and rock hard tree stumps were now gone. All dug out by hand and trundled up the ramp in countless wheelbarrow loads. A kind but dangerous offer from a neighbour to blow up the last stump was declined… This ‘blank garden canvas’ was now ready for soil to be offloaded by the truck load.  Soon afterwards the planting of vegetables and flower plants began followed by daily watering. Seaweed was applied after being chopped up with our lawnmower.  I’m a good weeder and carrier of garden mix and an average planter. (My enthusiastic digging got me in a spot of bother a few weeks ago, when I dug through an internet cable. No more embarrassing details will be divulged).  Val has a great knowledge of gardening and a real aptitude for getting things done. She currently grows tomatoes, broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, beetroot, rhubarb, beans, peas, capsicum, chillies (way too hot for me), spinach, lettuce, cucumber, basil, par...

Last Thursday an unremarkable scene began at a busy pedestrian and traffic intersection in Mt Eden, Auckland. Everybody was minding their own business. Eyes watched the seconds counting down on the traffic light display panels. Boring. Time for a yawn. In a few seconds time it would be the pedestrians turn to flood the intersection with quick steps… 3, 2, 1, buzzer time. Cue the slightly comical green stylised ‘walker’ on the display panel. Pedestrians stepped confidently onto the road. In the next 15 seconds they had one purpose.  Except one person. Same purpose, but not the same physical capabilities. He began his very slow walk to the safety of the other side. It must have felt a long way away and it was extra hard for him as he was struggling to carry his bags. Time waits for no one. People watched. Some must have felt a little anxious for him. 5, 4, 3, … alone. Finally. Someone did something. A stranger joined him in the middle of the intersection. No man’s land. They slowly, ...

My first experience of manaakitanga was during my year as a trainee forest ranger. I was asked by a Māori workmate to take family photos at their home. I arrived late morning, took the photos and was about to leave when Ivan asked me to stay for lunch. What a lunch it was! Plate after plate was placed on the table. Their generosity of spirit and amazing hospitality left a lasting impression on me.  In Māori culture, manaakitanga is most often associated with being welcomed on to a marae and a meal shared with tangata whenua (people of the land) and manuhiri (guests) but as you read on you will see that it is much more than that.  It’s about looking for opportunities to help a friend or loved one. Being generous with our giving and taking time to build relationships with people. Respecting and being loyal to each other when the going gets tough. Being humble and serving others. Encouraging people and looking for the good in them. Showing compassion and love in the best and wors...