“He atua, he tangata.”
“We are both beautifully divine and beautifully human.”
n Rose Pere
Rangimarie Arikirangi Rose Pere often began her talks by saying, “I come from the future. What do you want to know?” She was a messenger of unity, an educator, a conservationist and a champion of her language, Te Reo Māori. When I launched Crone Speak, my intention was not only to highlight the leadership of wise women, it was also to emphasize how language is an instrument of transformation and regeneration. Rose Pere is my mentor in this regard. I claim her, even though I am not Māori by birth, as my kuia. And she would have welcomed that. You can claim her as your kuia, your mentor, your ancestor, also. She is a shelter for your manifestation as an oracle, a leader, a seer and a writer.
Dr. Rose Pere was a potent force in restoring appreciation of Te Reo Māori as the poetic language system that it is, after the European colonizers tried to make it extinct. They failed, and before Rose Pere died in December 2020, Te Reo Māori was being taught in schools throughout Aotearoa New Zealand and is now spoken with pride in homes, on television, radio, and in films.
Contrary to the stereotype of women as discursive speakers, I celebrate the generosity of vision and conceptual scope of women’s discourse, which is like a wide, generous and warm embrace. Dr. Rose Pere, like the other kuia in this series, Te Puea and Eva Rickard, was multi-gifted, and did not succumb to any attempt to reign herself in. On the contrary, she kept amplifying her reach until the day she died. Rose Pere, Eva Rickard and Te Puea are a sheltering trio that erect a canopy of encouraging protection to nourish all women, whether or not they are Māori. Inclusivity was clearly, unabashedly and consistently Rose Pere’s intention. Her book, Te Wheke: A Celebration of Universal Wisdom, exemplifies that inclusivity. It is a message of peace and aroha, as defined by Rose Pere as, “the presence and breadth of our Divine Source which is never-ending love.” Te Wheke, which means the octopus, is an educational and family health model that is used throughout the world. It is meant to be shared with all cultures. As Rose Pere said, “I would find it terribly boring if only Māori people existed.”
Rose Pere’s life force, or mana, was intended for all women. Long before it was popular to say this, she declared, “I am an awesome being. In my world I am so beautiful that all waters reflect my beauty.” She defined herself as a messenger of the mystery school that informs Māori wisdom and claimed that as a universal transmission.
To tap into that mystery school and hear the voice, feel the lifeforce (mana), and experience the beauty of Rangimarie Arikirangi Dr. Rose Pere, watch this video.
NOTE: This concludes the Kuia Series of Crone Speak for now, but stay tuned for my forthcoming book that expands this series exponentially through the biography of another phenomenal kuia, Rangatira Maata Wharehoka. If you become a paid subscriber to Crone Speak or upgrade to paid, you will receive bonus previews of this book in progress.
Thank you for bringing these Grandmother's to my awareness. I value such wisdom and find it mightily supportive.