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Nga Kete Matauranga

 

In 1993 the NZAC – Te Rōpū Kaiwhiriwhiri - was gifted taonga at a special conference organized by the Auckland Region who also hosted IRTAC, now called the International Association of Counsellors, [IAC]. During the opening ceremony Pita Sharples conducted a special powhiri where Ngā Kete Matauranga were introduced. He described their origins and significance for Maori:

 

“We are pleased that the kaupapa [conference theme] that you have chosen is ‘to come together’, to decrease the distance between people and between kaupapa and technology and methods. And one of the best ways to do that, as Hans Hoxter – [the late, Founding President of IRTAC] said, is from inside here [points to heart] but then as Counsellors you know that because that is your work. We would like to join with you in adding to your theme. That in our culture, knowledge was in three parts – there are three parts to knowledge, and we have brought for you a symbol, if you like, of the meaning of knowledge in Maori culture which we would like to share with you. Kia ora.


It is said in our culture that Tane was chosen to go to the Twelve Heavens where the Supreme Being, [you may call him or her, God or Jehovah, our name is Io] resides. He [Tane or Tawhaki] brought back this knowledge to earth for us ordinary people… There are three Kete and we have woven three Kete for this occasion. They will be blessed, as symbols only, of our theology, our genesis of knowledge. And we would like that to be shared with you this evening and for you to think of this knowledge so that it can only enhance your discussions and your sharing with each other”.

 

He called for the Ngā Kete to be brought to the stage where the Kaumatua blessed them. Pita explained the significance of each Kete and described the types of knowledge that each contained.

 

 

Kete Tuauri


This is the knowledge we have of the reality behind the colours, shapes, smells, and sounds perceived by our senses. It is the knowledge of the ‘real world’, which is: the seedbed of creation where all things are gestated, evolve and are refined to be manifested in the real world. This world is where the cosmic processes originated and continue to operate as a complex series of rhythmical patterns of energy to uphold and sustain and replenish energies of life of the natural world. Knowledge of the rainbow.

 

Te Kete Aronui


Is the experience and focus of our senses. That lays out ahead in front of us, understanding of what lies behind our sense experience. There is also the notion that there is the experience we have, particularly in ritual, of our oneness with each other and the past. Knowledge of the ancient realms.

 

Kete Tuatea


  • Referred to as the knowledge that is beyond space and beyond time.
  • This is the world beyond any space time framework, it is infinite and eternal.
  • Knowledge of spiritual powers.
  • Nga whatu kura sacred stone spheres also came with nga kete.
  • These symbolises the wisdom that human beings have acquired since time began by seeking to understand life’s journeying through a lived experience and teachings from its lessons.

 

Ngā Kete were accepted on stage by three members: Ruth Anderson (the then President), Sue Webb and Jane Henson. She recalls how “it felt a privilege and a great honour to be asked to do that” (Henson, 2002, unpublished interview). Once blessed, Ngā Kete were placed on a stage backdrop depicting Tane’s journey to the Twelve Heavens. There they stayed until the end of the Conference when they were ceremoniously handed over to Hans Hoxter (the then IRTAC President).


Ngā Kete began its journeys, first with Jane Henson to Tanzania then to London with Hans Hoxter. Its next stop was in Munich for the 1994 IRTAC Conference, where the then President Carol White, with the help of Courtland Lee, gently gathered Ngā Kete to bring them home to Aotearoa. Since then, they have been cared for by the respective hosts of the National NZAC Conference. Each year Ngā Kete is ceremoniously passed over to the next region that hosts the conference. During each conference, Ngā Kete takes pride of place in a respectful and central position, where they appear to watch the proceedings. They are much loved and many sit with them to share time, space and reminisce with them.


In 1994 Ngā Kete journeyed to Dunedin with Carol White. In 1995 they went to Palmerston North to Catherine Love and the Ngati Apa people. The 1996 conference was held in Havelock North, but Ngā Kete stayed with Ngati Apa until later when they were placed in safe keeping with ‘Awhina’ in the Hawkes Bay region. In 1997 a small group from ‘Awhina’, accompanied Ngā Kete to the next conference in Queenstown. The following year a group from the south accompanied Ngā Kete and were ceremoniously greeted by Tai Tokerau. In 1999 Ngā Kete were given a powhiri in Hamilton. After the conference, they were given pride of place in Te Kohinga Marama Marae within the University of Waikato grounds for the year. Many people saw Ngā Kete and queried their presence here. At the Christchurch conference in the year 2000, after a marae powhiri for Ngā Kete, the challenge was given by Heemi Mahara to begin learning more of the procedures of powhiri and the significance of Ngā Kete as an aspect of Māori that must become part of a New Zealand theory of counselling. So, the living organic nature of Ngā Kete began to develop further.


Since 2000, the notion of gifting taonga has been explored more. Previously there had been taonga of nature gifted in each appropriate Kete, now there are more personal handcrafted gifts being included. 

Group discussions continue to happen where the meaning of Ngā Kete are being explored. In 2001, discussions became broader and more complex with a move towards a bicultural journey for the organisation. 2002 saw Ngā Kete return back to Waipuna Lodge where they had been introduced by Pita Sharples in 1993. During the conference dinner of 2002, these questions were posed by Pita;

 

“What have you learnt from Ngā Kete? How has NZAC progressed in its search for bicultural identity? Have you added value to your work and your association with people like these kete? Do you hold more promises for the world like these kete?”

 

Of late, Ngā Kete remain in our National Office for safe keeping, but they continue to sit in pride of place at each conference to remind us of our obligations to the people we serve. Ngā Kete bring us together to search for a path towards partnership for Counselling in Aotearoa.


The care and welfare of Ngā Kete Matauranga are now the responsibility of “Te Ahi Kaa” and “Nga Tumutumu o Te Rōpū Māori”. They ensure that the proper ceremonies and packaging take place at each conference. All members are invited to participate in the ceremonies so they may learn from the gifts within. Each time Ngā Kete are displayed there is a story to read. When they are packaged for storage, another story is written for the generations to come.