I am a Taranaki guy. I always will be. At this time of year I reflect on this more than ever.

Every year, we see fireworks light up the sky for Guy Fawkes—a tradition rooted in a centuries-old event in England. But what if we used this day to honour a story closer to home? A story not of rebellion but of peace, resilience, and unity. A story that defines Aotearoa.

Parihaka isn’t just a place in Taranaki; it’s a powerful symbol of courage, dignity, and non-violent resistance. In November 1881, this Māori settlement was invaded by over 1,500 government troops. Their goal? To put an end to a campaign of civil disobedience that had been underway since 1879, a protest against the government’s confiscation of Māori land. Under leaders Te Whiti o Rongomai and Tohu Kākahi, the people of Parihaka responded with a unique, peaceful defiance. As soldiers marched in, children greeted them with songs, and women offered bread, while the white feather, or raukura, became a symbol of their dignity and peaceful resistance.

It’s said that Parihaka’s story inspired global leaders like Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr. And yet, how widely do we know this story here at home? It’s a story that deserves our attention, especially as it shows the power of peace and resilience.

Recently I spent a day on retreat at Back Beach and I came to the message of Parihaka. A key message that emerged from this experience was the importance of language. Understanding and valuing te reo Māori could bridge the divide between Māori perspectives and those of Pākehā. Nelson Mandela once said, “If you speak to a man you speak to his head, but if you speak his language you speak to his heart.” This sentiment resonated deeply—our understanding of each other’s languages and cultures goes a long way in building respect and unity.

Today, in a world often marked by conflict, we have a chance to choose something different in our own corner of the world. As individuals, parents, and leaders, let’s honour Parihaka’s legacy of peace, unity, and resilience instead of celebrating Guy Fawkes. Courage and peaceful resistance are woven into our national identity, shaping both who we are and who we can become.

The black jersey, the underside of the fern and the small kiwi bird. That is who we are. Perhaps we have forgotten in this post COVID world.

This year, let’s use 5 November as a day for reflection. Let’s honour Parihaka’s legacy of peace, unity, and resilience. These values are part of our national identity, shaping not only who we are but also who we aspire to be.

Let’s choose to let Parihaka’s light shine on, long after the fleeting flash and bang of fireworks.

Mā te rongo, ka mōhio; mā te mōhio, ka mārama; mā te mārama, ka mātau; mā te mātau, ka ora.