Reflections during Matariki
Matariki 2021 has been particularly special for Mr Marshall (Cookie) Cook. "This year was different for me, my focus was mainly on remembering my father who passed last year. That’s part of Matariki, remembering lost loved ones from the previous year. Thi
12 August, 2021
Affectionately known as ‘Cookie’, he has spent his entire adult life serving the Air Force. Formerly in uniform, his primary role now is Material Planner within the Fleet Planning Unit and he also serves as the Māori Liaison Officer at Whenuapai.
“I was very humbled when I was asked to take on the role of cultural advisor. It’s a perfect opportunity to share my culture with my people, those people are the RNZAF.
“To guide us into the future as a culturally diverse organisation is amazing. It’s helping us move forward in sharing that information so that it’s not a scary thing to delve into different cultures.”
For Māori, the appearance of the star cluster Pleiades signals a time of remembrance, joy and peace. It is a time for communities to come together, celebrate and share kai.
“Matariki is a time to share kai and time with people, the biggest memory of Dad was that he was a provider of food.
“Dad’s name was Hori Hern. He was a third generation military man, after he left the Army he spent most of his time chasing deer, pigs and crayfish, he lived off the land. In recent years he dedicated a lot of time to teaching others to garden, be self-sufficient, hunt and catch kaimoana. He liked not having to rely on the supermarket too often,” he says.
The life of Mr Hern really did embody the spirit of Matariki and he died doing what he loved most.
“Dad passed away while he was at work. He was working on a project to reduce erosion of the Waiapu River. He passed away on the job site. He was doing what he loved in the bush and the only thing that was different was he wasn’t chasing pigs.
“He was training a crew of rough diamonds and polished them in to an efficient team, giving them the skills to provide for themselves and their whānau.”
“I look almost exactly like my Dad, so I see him every day, which was hard when he first passed.”
This Matariki was also about passing down knowledge to Cookies’ 7-year-old son and his school mates.
“On 2 July about 500 of us went to the top of Mt Atkinson in Titirangi at dawn to commemorate Matariki with school, staff, families and kaumatua. Then we went back and shared a big breakfast, it was an important community gathering and gave a lot of learning for my son.
“It’s teaching about the future, about what our connection to the land means. It’s teaching him that Matariki is more than just a public holiday.”
Published in Air Force News #238
Helping others top priority for Auckland Air Force Medic
People
RNZAF career extends Tauranga woman’s family legacy
People
RNZAF helps Devonport woman keep flying career alive
People
NATO award for Army Officer's Afghanistan work
People
Sailor's input to United Nations Command
People
RNZAF 85: Aircraftman Kanapa Kerr
People
RNZAF 85: Pilot Officer Kiwi Walker
People
RNZAF 85: Flight Sergeant Kim Harrison
People
RNZAF 85: Warrant Officer Viti Flanagan
People
RNZAF 85: Sergeant Joyce McGee
People
RNZAF 85: Squadron Leader John "JV" Voice
People
RNZAF 85: Wing Commander Terry Knight
People
RNZAF 85: Flight Lieutenant Jack Hall
People
RNZAF 85: Flying Officer Arthur "Joppy" Joplin
People
Defence Adviser in Fiji
People
NZDF financial head acknowledged by accounting peers
People
Deployed to Solomon Islands
People
Welcoming 2022 in South Sudan
People
Back-to-back maintainer
People
Women in Science
People
Army Officer smashes Guinness Book of World Records kettlebell challenge
People
Air Force dream becomes a reality for Taranaki woman
People
Navy offers Whangarei teen a dream opportunity
People
Newly graduated Waikato man has eyes on the sky
People
Navy STEM programme launches Upper Hutt student into medic career
People
Joining the Air Force a family affair for Northland man
People
Wellington sailor continues family naval tradition
People
Kaitaia Sailor celebrates commissioning to Naval Officer
People
Canterbury volunteer shows care for Op Protect personnel at Christmas
People
Westport sailor embraces new career as Navy Education Officer
People
Reflecting on being WOAF
People
'Incredible journey' to top Air Force leadership role
People
Zone out with axe throwing
People
Former soldier earns wings in return to military
People
Outstanding leadership by NZ Army Officer in Afghanistan recognised
People
Air Force leadership role brings challenge and opportunity
People
Dedication and innovation praised at Chief of Defence Force Awards
People
Exemplary soldier is NZDF Person of Year
People
Managed isolation stalwart named NZDF Reservist of the Year
People
Cadet of the Year an inspiration to the next generation
People
Sailor of the Year recognised in year of challenges
People
Navy Diver recognised for developing diversity
People
Pandemic management while in US posting earns top safety award
People
Allrounder wins NZDF Civilian of the Year award
People
‘Wellness' supporter named Defence Volunteer of the Year
People
Hard line against bullying earns instructor Soldier of the Year title
People
Defence HUMINT: An Airman’s Story
People
Passion for the job recognised by Airman of the Year award
People
NZDF opens up different world of legal challenges
People
RNZAF’s longest-serving woman signs off after years of progress
People
Operation Monitor: deployed to the Republic of Korea
People
Bonded to heritage
People
Navy Reserves keep Upper Hutt man's love of the sea alive
People
Bay of Plenty woman making the most of her time in the Navy
People
Flying dream achieved with late change in career flight path
People
Cook Islands sailor proud to deliver vaccine support
People
Graduate's father inspires Air Force career
People
Mother the inspiration for Air Force career choice
People
Variety with ‘the team’ attracts former Cricketer to Navy
People
New Plymouth woman swaps hospo for hootchies and hot spots
People
Swapping the Bomb Squad for an RNZAF Squadron
People
Perseverance pays off as Tauranga man achieves RNZAF dream
People
Mother’s inspiration sets Lower Hutt man on Navy medical career
People
Hercules way finder flying in the family footsteps
People
Navy offers aviation career for Palmerston North man
People
Keep it real
People
NZDF medical officer joins Australian response to Fiji Covid surge
People
Defence Force at the heart of historic Women’s Super Rugby match
People
Riverton man embraces opportunity of Army medical career
People
Ōtaki woman embracing change for RNZAF medical career
People
RNZAF Skyhawk history-maker calls time on illustrious career
People
NZ Army promotes first female General List Officer to Brigadier
People
Inspiring Mums
People
The long wait for the Red Diamond
People
Gisborne high flier aims to make a difference in new career
People
Queenstown woman tops RNZAF recruit course
People
Career change for new RNZAF recruit
People
RNZAF offers Nelsonian a second chance at aviation engineering career
People
Taupō Army Cadets eyes the sky after groundwork
People
Invercargill-born Army Band trumpeter returns to roots
People
Chasing goals and being a mum
People
Take your moko as a friend for life
People
Taupō siblings make it four Navy generations
People
Law graduate takes the helm of a navy career
People
Commendation for former Army Sniper
People
