thank you for thanking me

This is the type of email i like to get. Well done to WWF Australia for thanking people - it reinforces all the good aspects of why we do what we do. The title of the email was inspired

"Do you know what you've done this year?"

Nice - made me want to read it ASAP to see if i was in trouble :)

"This is what you've done:

180,000km2 of the Southern Ocean was declared a marine sanctuary

$375 million was committed to halve the chemical pollutants entering the Great Barrier Reef

There will be a senate inquiry into the Montara oil spill off the north-west coast of Australia to ensure that there will be more marine protected areas

1 million km2 of the Coral Sea was declared a conservation zone

Australia's network of protected areas will be increased to help many of our struggling species to survive.

Because of you, WWF has been a part of some remarkable wins for the environment.

Thank you again, we couldn't have done it without you.

I wish you and your family a merry Christmas and much happiness in the coming year.

There is more to achieve in 2010 and we look forward to you standing with us throughout the year.

Greg Bourne

CEO, WWF-Australia"

Greg thank you for thanking me, you set a high standard that i hope others will follow.
 
When we are fighting the good fight it can be easy to just get caught up in the battles and not enjoy the respite. There have been many achievements this year.
 
What are your wins? Where have you made a difference? Who have you helped?
 
It sounds wanky but if you keep track of your achievements or successes then when times get tough you can go back and read about what you have done. That can really help.
 
And when you get a break - like now, you can read and remember all of the contributions over the year. What have I achieved? Where could i improve? Don't get into the 'wrongs' or 'failures' - they just highlight areas to improve.
 
Taking the time to enjoy the successes is just as important as actually achieving the successes themselves.

Good job Radio NZ National, that really does sound like us

I really have to say a big thank you to Radio New Zealand National. The effort that they have put in to get their announcers to speak Te Reo is outstanding. And offers a good example of what can be done. It is so great to hear our language on the radio. Just as impressive is the wide range of audio files available so it is easy to listen again to programmes you missed. Their maori archive is extensive and interesting. The last one I listened to was from Sunday with Chris Laidlaw. He had maori MP's talking about a recent maori parlimentarian conference they had been to. Its well worth a listen.

Te Panui Runaka - it just keeps being great!

Another excellent edition of Te Panui Runaka for Matahi-a-te-tau (May). [sorry about the non-macrons, please just add them in where they need to be]

My favorite bits were the korero from our Kaiwhakahaere. It was great to hear about all of the mahi being done at the highest levels. The role is a balance between looking inward and looking outward and I think that Mark Solomon is doing really well. But we must always be looking to the future for the next generation so that the good work can continue and be built on.

I also really enjoyed hearing from Oraka Aparima Runaka about Ta Tipene O'Regan's korero about our histories and knowledge. I would love to have these and other wanaka from our kaumatua, filmed and put up on the blog, or the TRONT website, so that others can learn as well. Imagine the treasure trove of knowledge that would build up. It would become an online library with password access if necessary. Even a copy of the korero would be good.

Te Ngai Tuahuriri Runanga has more nominations for their appointment committee than places so the candidates were all there with a short bio about them and what they hoped to achieve. This is brilliant. Wouldn't it be great to get all of the candidates in each runaka to do the same. It would increase our knowledge and connection. I wish all candidates well.

News that at easter the 20th anniversary of Mau Taiaha was celebrated by, Te Tohu o Tu, ki Te Waipounamu, at Te Whare o Awhitu, Taumutu was awesome. 180 warriors attended the wananga celebrations and it sounds like it was a massive success. I would love to have video of that on a website somewhere too. The photo montage was inspiring.

So kia ora to the team that continues to deliver an amazing amount of information, every month, for the benefit of Ngai Tahu whanui.

Thanks

Kia ora koutou

Yes, I've toned down the black - kia ora for the feedback. I've just recieved my Te Karaka and Te Panui Runaka - I do have some comments but I'll break them down over a series of posts. It does make my heart sing when they arrive.

Any other feedback much appreciated.

Nga mihi

Marty