He Rito is a Māori concept gifted to us to use by Sean Delany of Te Whāriki. Below you will find it’s powerful meaning and its relevance for Baptist churches, and the young people within them.
At the centre of the harakeke (flax) bush, the rito (young shoots) grow up protected and supported by the outer leaves (the awhi rito and tūpuna). Their pakiaka (roots) intertwine with other harakeke bushes, supporting and holding one another up. Māori use harakeke as a metaphor for the concept of whānau (family), with the rito considered as the child or young person, supported by their parents and grandparents.
Hutia te rito ō te harakeke, kei whea te korimako e kō? Ka rere ki uta, ka rere ki tai. Kī mai koe ki au, he aha te mea nui i te ao? Māku e kī atu, He tangata! He tangata! He tangata!
If you pluck out the flax shoot, where will the bellbird sing? It will fly in-land, it will fly seawards. If you ask me, what is the most important thing in the world? I will reply, People! People! People!
“My people, hear my teaching; listen to the words of my mouth. I will open my mouth with a parable; I will utter hidden things, things from of old— things we have heard and known, things our ancestors have told us. We will not hide them from their descendants; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, his power, and the wonders he has done. He decreed statutes for Jacob and established the law in Israel, which he commanded our ancestors to teach their children, so the next generation would know them, even the children yet to be born, and they in turn would tell their children. Then they would put their trust in God and would not forget his deeds but would keep his commands.”
Psalm 78:1-7
This Māori whakataukī describes what happens when the rito is not protected. Simply put, the harakeke will not survive. Similarly, if a whānau ceases to produce and nurture children, it too will die. The saying is an affirmation of the value of people and the whānau which produces and nurtures them.
This beautiful whakataukī couldn’t be truer for our Baptist whānau. One of the greatest roles of God’s people is passing the torch of faith from one generation to the next. To disciple, guide, protect, and nurture the faith of the young so that they may know and live with God. That they may experience His love, goodness, and grace as well as ever-increasing fruit of the Holy Spirit at work in their lives.
This is our hope for our young people, our churches, and the future of our movement of Baptist churches throughout Aotearoa New Zealand.
If you can’t find what you are looking for, help is only an email or phone call away.
Ethan Miller
Youth Catalyst
[email protected]
021 299 2305
Jan Ozanne
National Children & Families Point Person
[email protected]
027 7333 298