Watene Nepe
A People, A Mountain, A Faith
For me, for all of us.
Indeed, Hikurangi is me, from night to day, from darkness to light.
My mountain is not one that shifts; rather, it stands firm and steadfast.
I am a descendant of Waiapu, the river that flows ever forward, carrying with it the wisdom of our ancestors, the resilience of our people, and the life force that nourishes all who stand upon its banks.
Like the great waka Nukutaimemeha, which rests upon the sacred waters that have long carried the lineage of its descendants from the ancestral homeland of Hawaiki Tipua, so too does this legacy endure—navigating the vast ocean of time, knowledge, and identity.
As the saying goes, the weka cries at the base of Raukūmara, and the kiwi calls at the foot of Hikurangi.
I am Watene Nepe, sending forth this greeting with excitement and unwavering commitment to forging an environment and journey that is not only enriching but transformative for all.
Like the steadfast Hikurangi, I stand resolute in shaping a path that nurtures, uplifts, and inspires—a journey woven with the wisdom of our Atua, the breath of our tūpuna, and the boundless potential of those who walk alongside us.
May this be a space where minds and spirits flourish, where the echoes of tradition meet the aspirations of tomorrow, and where all who embark on this voyage are compelled to immerse themselves further, drawn by the depth, the beauty, and the infinite horizon that awaits.
