The Etiquette of Requesting Whakapapa
From time to time I receive requests for whakapapa, usually from whanaunga. I am pleased to help with whakapapa queries if I am able to. It is important to me to reciprocate the aroha and generosity I received from my elders and teachers when they shared whakapapa with me. In stating that I am pleased to help people with their requests, however, I also wish to say that it is important that the manner by which requests are communicated to me are important. Let me explain. Whakapapa is sacred. I do not mean sacred in that only the very few have a right to it and that it is some deep, heavy thing. Rather, I mean that it needs to be taken seriously. It needs to be cared for properly. It needs to be cherished and honoured. And it needs to be passed on in due course to the right people, in the right circumstances and with aroha. Unfortunately, with the rise of social media, the internet and email, requests for whakapapa have come to me through these channels and the custom of 'kanohi ki