He Māhuri Tōtara in Dunedin
Contributed by Diana Johnston.
For three days in October, Eco Church Aotearoa hosted He Māhuri Tōtara for young adults on Kamau Taurua Quarantine Island in Ōtepoti Dunedin Harbour. It was a rich and grounding time together.
On Friday we were welcomed onto the island by Kuini, Jimmy and Kākahu, mana whenua of the island. They guided us on a hīkoi across the whenua, sharing stories held in the land and its memory. Their kōrero invited us to reflect on our deep connections with creation and how these have been shaped, stretched and sometimes harmed over time. Some stories carried sadness, yet hope shimmered around us too, in the bold flowering clematis and the steady chorus of birds that followed our steps. Later, we explored eco-theology with Selwyn Yeoman, opening Genesis and the life of Jesus, and considering what this means for faith lived here and now.
Saturday was full in the best way. In the morning we helped plant and release native trees alongside volunteers who pour such aroha into the island. In the afternoon we travelled to Taiaroa Head and watched an incredible array of seabirds in their element. Seeing a Toroa/Northern Royal Albatross skim the water and dance on the south-westerly wind left us speechless. That evening we shared our own creation care journeys. Though we came from varied backgrounds, we noticed threads in common. One of the threads that stood out to me was that many of us had been shaped as children and young people by time spent exploring and playing in the natural world, planting seeds of wonder that grew into love and care for the earth.
On our final day we followed a reflective haerenga prepared by Philip Fountain, moving quietly between stations around the island before gathering again in the chapel. Later we shared our reflections from the weekend. I found myself moved to tears more than once. As Tim put it, the wairua was high.
It was a remarkable and deeply special time together.
