I am so proud of what makes NZ unique and growing up in a predominantly Maori area, I was always so respectful and appreciative of Maori and Maori culture. I was fortunate that in our school we were taught Maori vowels, greetings, poi and games. And that was five decades ago. As a seventh generation pakeha I was late in learning that my ancestor when he came to NZ lived with Ngati Toa on the kapiti coast and had an enduring relationship with Te Raupahara. He had a Maori wife with which he had 8 or 9 children. Like so many whalers he deserted her and went on to marry an incoming english woman and sire our family line. When I discovered this I was filled with shame on behalf of my family and have been since trying to establish who is Maori wife was. Rumours have it she was one of Te rauparaha's daighters. We know Sid Jacksons family are our blood line but have much still to determine in our search. It is a long journey that I am determined to travel. As an elected local government official I continued to learn more about New Zealands Maori heritage instigating Maori culture events like Matariki and embracing Maori partnership projects with local iwi. My children all participated in Kapahaka as the 'whitest white haired' kids the Awataha Urban Marae had seen but emerging them in Maori culture was important to me and therefore they now are carrying on those same values to their own children. I am currently learning Basic Maori and finding out more about Kind Country Maori history having moved here recently. I want to lead by example and help educate Pakeha as ignorance, breeds contempt and disrespect.