Poroporoaki ki a Veralyn Pomana Koia Probation Officer, Gisborne
Veralyn Pomana Koia tragically lost her life at home on 19 September 2006. Community Probation Service staff from across the country joined with her colleagues from the Gisborne office in mourning a much-loved and cherished workmate and friend. The loss was also keenly felt by the Department’s Maori Staff Networks with whom Veralyn had played an active role especially within the Central Region.
Shortly before her death, Veralyn had been given the mandate to represent the Central Region networks on the CPS national network group, Te Roopu Kai Koha.
This poroporoaki was composed by her workmates from the Hawke’s Bay/Gisborne area.
E hika ma e hui mai tatou, katahi nei te mamae ka ata rongona iho, enanawe ake ana ki te tira kahurangi, ka horo ra i te whetu, te marama, nate aha koe i rutu, ko te tapatu e toka i te rangi, e hara i te ariki, he huia rerehou, no runga i nga puke, kai hea hoki koe, kia whakawai mai i te paeo te rangi, ka haere o rongo hai homai te aroha, ki te whare, hei hurihuriatu i te rahi o te mate, haere nui atu ra ki raro o nga muri, kia hikoia maie te maru wahine, ka pakupaku koa te tai ki te akau, ka maunu ra ia tetaniwha i te rua, ma wai e takiri o rongo i muri nei, mo o mana ra, ma terangi kia tukua ki raro ra e.
Translation
Oh, my loved ones, let’s come together, for now the sting of pain is racking, tugging at the heart strings of the select, the stars and the moon have fallen, what has brought you down so low, if not a storm that raged in heaven, not the lord, but a huia in flight, seen flying over the hills, why have you not risen above the horizon, your fame has gone forth to evoke aroha at home, and to assuage poignant sorrow, go in your greatness to the nether world, there to be greeted by a band of woman select, the tide is well out to sea, and the dragon has left its lair, who will lead your hands now that you are gone, your prestige and heaven will descend.
This moteatea was composed as a lament for a Rangatira. The word Taniwha is only applied to a great Rangatira. Maori moteatea are described as being monotonous and yet the above words express fittingly the feeling of one in sorrow. Shelley, a great English poet said “Our sweetest songs are those that tell the saddest thought.”
On behalf of the Tai Rawhiti network mai Potikirua ki Heretaunga Ararau Haukunui.
Veralyn Pomana Koia