I’ve been in a state of excitement and tiredness today. Tired probably because I am full of chocolate haha but excited because I am inspired and uplifted and hopeful for the future. Some days are just like nah – so many things happen where you just want to go and have a moe and not [...]

Tō mātou waimarie kua tae mai ngā reo waiata ataahua kei waenga i a mātou. Kāore he kupu. There are no words for the beautiful waiata that are gracing our space at the moment. I don’t know how many times I have said this year I am in awe, but this time I really am [...]

You know, some people may be disappointed about a National led govt, I certainly was in the first instance but all that aside, we have some pretty talented, charismatic, intelligent Māori in the house! And I think we need to celebrate that. It’s unfortunate that we’re spread across different parties but this is how we [...]

At the end of the day – we are all human. We feel, we laugh we cry. We all have hearts. So why do some think that their lives are more important than others? Why are we so self-indulged? It’s all about us. It’s all about me me me. There is nothing that distinguishes you [...]

Well I’ve just returned home from a 60th birthday and I’ve been having a nohi at the election results. My goodness, why am I not surprised? National are back in the house but I’m happy for one thing and that is my party vote for GREEN counted tonight. No longer can we rely on our [...]

What matters today, right here, right now? So many things swishing around in this brain of mine – a realisation that this year is nearly over and in 36 more days it will be 2012! My goodness – time is so precious, every day we must embrace, each day has meaning, every minute important and [...]

I remember the feeling of selling my first piece of art work, there was nothing quite like that feeling! I can’t remember the exact amount I sold the artwork for, it didn’t matter, but that feeling of satisfaction – wow, unbelievable, awesome, yay me! How does success feel? I remember playing a national touch final [...]

I love it when I talk to our old people – they are just a big kete of knowledge. We visited a lovely koroua today to capture some wonderful kōrero about a traditional Māori way of fishing. It was so beautiful to watch. These gifts handed down from our ancestors – these are real taonga [...]

When you let go of expectation, it’s amazing at how things turn out. I always feel so enlightened after I’ve painted a rock and have totally let go to the process. There is something about letting go that is so fulfilling and so hard at the same time! Most times I think I know what [...]

You will know the truth and the truth shall set you free – I was reminded of these words yesterday, words I had learnt many years ago. I am not religious, but these words of Jesus really touch me deeply. And as a child I actually had a good relationship with Jesus, I thought he [...]

Memories of a Crescent Moon… Sitting high in the sky on a crescent moon is like lying in a hammock, swinging your legs over the side watching the day float by… A crescent moon reminds me of a cup runneth over, full to the brim of goodness… A crescent moon balancing on another crescent moon [...]

Green green green! It’s been on my mind all day today! I love green – it is one of my favourite colours. I haven’t actually used green for a long time on my rocks because I haven’t had green paint so I just had to mix some green paint today to curb my desire for [...]

We were just talking tonight about learning in mainstream school and ahakoa te aha – even though there were so many things not good about mainstream school for us as Māori – I learnt to read, write and spell in english – in spite of everything. I read today that Te Reo o Taranaki won [...]

You know, I really love weeds and just today we pulled all of our weeds out of the garden but not until the weeds had established themselves overtime and grown into big wild bushes! Weeds grow like forests do I reckon – that’s my observation anyway. First these plants grow and then those plants grow [...]

I painted this rock today directly in front of my eyes – I held it up in front of my eyes and I painted it there. I wouldn’t normally do this of course but I had just been to the Osteopath and I was consciously holding my spine in place lol! Let me just explain [...]

Well – one of my lovely friends Jack Gray suggested yesterday that maybe one day, you all should write the kōrero for the rock of the day. And I thought that was a brilliant idea and so did a few others, so I said why not tomorrow which is now today – so here it [...]

Well today I thought I could just come to my blog and start writing my kōrero for the day but oh no – hullo – 8.30pm, no kōrero, 9.30pm, no kōrero and then 10pm is looming and here I am. So I thought bugger it, I will tell you about my lack of inspiration right [...]

Looking back over the past 316 days I’ve come full circle and gone back to painting koru and circles again. It feels kinda nice actually, back to balance, restoring the passion and motivation that kick started me in the first place. When I stop for reflection times like this – each rock a reflection of [...]

It’s been one of those days full of stuff! I don’t know what to call it – a mixed lolly bag, four seasons in one day, ups and downs, a roller coaster ride – haaaaa – āpōpō will be different I’m sure – ceremony, quiet, taking stock, redefining, planning, change, change, change… It’s one of [...]

I ngā rangi tata nei, kua rere atu tōku wairua ki tōku kainga i Parihaka. Me pēhea te timata i te kōrero nei? I’ve just been tuning in back home to Parihaka – Toroānui marae where whānau have gathered for the beginning of Taranaki Tū Mai. I’ve been listening via Te Korimako o Taranaki and [...]

Whenever he sung, he sung from his heart. Michael Jackson for me is THE most amazing artist and musician that has ever lived. No-one in my life time has ever come close to him. And I want to honour him today because as I watch the story of his life unfold, I realise he was [...]

It’s important to tell our stories. Looking back over the past 300+ days I can see the importance of story as a way of connecting with one another, to be inspired or moved in some way and to add to the conversation and share our own stories. It’s the sharing of our stories that helps [...]

I haven’t painted a small rock like this for a while but out of all the rocks that I have painted this year, these tiny ones although small, are the most special to me. One of our friends called in tonight, just to have a kōrero and say hi. It’s those thoughts and small gestures [...]

So many things floating around in my mind… actually, whizzing around in my mind right now! Emotions – sad, angry, helpless, confusion, tears, tiredness, grateful, moved, overwhelmed… Appreciation for life, for those I have in my life. Remind me to never put off spending time, to show someone you love them… never leave a visit [...]

Flying on a plane in the realms of Ranginui today, the bumps and noise and then moments of smooth – I’ve learnt to ride with it although not pleasant at times, but it does not last forever. The Power of Now – this moment is all there is. If I try and will the bumps [...]

I’ve always loved the stars. As a kid we lived in a village away from bright lights and tall buildings (not that the buildings in Rotorua were tall lol) so the stars we could see from our house were amazing. A blanket of magic… I had a wonderful day today (ahakoa te wā pouri) with [...]

The first word that came to mind when I was painting this kohatu was mangopare – the hammerhead shark. A symbol of strength and tenacity. Just as I had finished putting the final touches to this kohatu, I received a phone call from Todd with some sad news. I have no words at this time [...]

I hold the earth in the palm of my hand. I am 100% responsible for my actions. I take responsibility for myself, to treat myself with respect and love. I take responsibility to care for the earth. I have the ability to bring about change. Change begins with me – right now. Arohanui, Jo x

Don’t you just love a bloody good laugh! You know that deep belly laugh that hurts your puku and you just can’t stop laughing for ages! Now I’m not going to tell you what we were laughing about tonight (it’s a surprise and you’ll hear about it in a book later!) but oh my goodness [...]

We’ve had heaps of birds around lately including the tui who are out in full force – I was delighted the other day to see a tui land on our harakeke plant to eat the kōrari (flax flowers) and that was after it had a feed on the neighbours kōwhai tree – my goodness! There [...]