"Mother - Goddess Papatuanuku,
Sacred Vessel from whom all life flows.
Help us your rainbow children
to listen and venerate you.
Help us to understand.
If we have no Mother to sustain us
we will surely perish.
Then there will be no future for us,
or our Mokopuna.

Oh rainbow children, listen to the cries
of our Sacred Mother.
The poisons of man are deep within her soils.
They enter our bones and blood,
indeed to the very hearts of man.

Dearest Mother Goddess Papatuanuku.
Let us your rainbow children,
learn ways not to harm you.
Let us always love and cherish you,

On the 22nd of July (Maori language week) I attempted to fly to Kaitaia to visit some isolated schools.
The weather was very stormy, so landing at Kaitaia airport was impossible. After a wild journey and equally scary landing, I was back in Auckland. Later in the day Air New Zealand flew us to Kerikeri, and fortunately a calm landing!!!

The gift of Mamaku is a non-fiction story, set in the present time. Yet one of the central characters is a very special man, from a time long ago. He is a Tupuna, or ancestor, to the first people of this land, Aotearoa.
The story has many facets, and not all are noticed at the first reading. The story is loved by people of all ages, from two years, to ninety years.

The illustrations show things which are symbolic, and at the same time are very real.

SPINA BIFIDA - is sometimes called a neural tube defect. This means a person is born with something wrong with their spine. Spina bifida makes walking difficult.

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I have written a poem, which I would like to dedicate to disabled children everywhere.
This poem makes a special plea, for more compassion, and a more humanitarian approach
to disability and the care of such persons.
There are many ways, the quality of life of such children can be improved.
Everyone has the right to love and to be treated with dignity. All life is precious.

We had a wonderful book launch at TE TUHI ARTS CENTRE Pakuranga on June 5th which is the first day of Matariki, Maori new year.
The launch was hosted by Tangata Whenua, and other pacific folk also took part in the ceremony.Local school children sang beautifully for us, and visiting young Pacific folk
also sang for us in a most accomplished way.

Bruce Barwell, President of the NZ Homoeopathic Society passed away suddenly on the 29th May 2008. He was highly respected in NZ and Internationally.

It was with deep sadness a few days ago, I learned Bruce had passed away. I had been talking to him on wednesday, like many other people I expect. He sounded tired, but that was not unusual as he was a man always available to his patients round the clock.

"THE GIFT OF MAMAKU", is written for children from about eight years. However, younger children from about two years, love being told the story and looking at the pictures.

This is a true story of unconditional love, and has many facets. A Tupuna from long ago, enters the story and becomes very important, to the central characters, a mother and her sick daughter.

Welcome to the Blog for "The Gift of Mamaku". Please feel free to write any comments or ask questions. I would love to hear from you.

Robina Adamson