BEING A GOOD ANCESTOR TODAY
When I think about kaitiakitanga, I think first of my own tūpuna (ancestors), the ones who came before me and laid down the path I’m privileged to walk today. Not just the ones from a thousand years ago, but even the ones I’ve got to meet.
They worked hard, made sacrifices, and dreamed big, creating opportunities I’ve been fortunate to inherit. I am grateful every day to have been born into a world, into a moment in time, that afforded me so much privilege and possibility.
And I think that’s where this deep sense of responsibility comes from. It’s a drive to take what has been passed to me, to work hard to innovate and improve on it, so I can pass it to the next generation.
People often talk about kaitiakitanga as it relates to protecting our environment. And that’s really essential, but I think it’s only part of the story though.
Yes, we need to care for Papatūānuku, our moana, our air and waterways, our soil, and our food sources. But it goes deeper than that.
For me, kaitiakitanga is about creating opportunities for my people and community, especially rangatahi - young people searching for a place that values their reo, their cultural perspective, and the unique strengths they bring.
I feel this sense of responsibility to create spaces where they can thrive. Places where they don’t have to compromise who they are or leave their identity at the door. Where their reo is celebrated, their tikanga are respected, and their voices are heard.
I want people to feel valued, to know they have a place in this world where they can stand tall, just as they are, confident in their mana.
As a pāpā, there’s a part of me that’s always thinking about the future my tamariki and mokopuna will face. I worry about the world we’re creating for them. Technology, AI and social media, for example, is everywhere - bringing both opportunities and risks.
It’s a balancing act - protecting them from the pitfalls while giving them the freedom to explore, to take risks, and to grow.
I want my tamariki to be creative thinkers, to question the world around them, to stand firmly in their mana. To do that, they need both freedom and guidance - a space to test boundaries, make mistakes, and learn from them, while staying grounded in their values.
My hope is that they grow up proud of who they are, with a strong sense of identity and a confidence that comes from knowing where they come from.
And it’s not just about my own whānau. Being a good kaitiaki or ancestor means thinking about the wider community, about how we can lift each other up. It’s about ensuring that the opportunities we build now will be there for others in the future. Our young people need a place where they can flourish - where their skills and perspectives are not just acknowledged, but celebrated. Where they can find mentors, pathways, and a future that aligns with their values.
Kaitiakitanga is a commitment to shaping that future. It’s about making intentional choices that will create wealth - not just in a financial sense, but in knowledge, in resilience, determination and in pride, with a healthy dose of optimism and an awareness of reality.
It’s about laying down a foundation where our young people can grow into strong, capable adults who know who they are and where they come from.
To be a good kaitiaki, we have to live with this long view in mind. We have to be willing to make sacrifices, to look beyond our own needs, and to ask ourselves what we’re leaving behind. Every small act of kaitiakitanga, every decision, every opportunity we create is part of that legacy.
Kaitiakitanga is a promise to our future and a reminder to keep moving forward with purpose and care - to be great ancestors.
Be the change you want to see. It starts now
Ngā mihi,
Anton