Papatuanuku Te Matua O Te Tangata - Mother Earth is man’s parent
In 2018 Stewart Bull received his Queen's Service Medal for services to conservation and Māori from Governor General Dame Patsy Reddy.
A person of right mind would never do any action that would compromise the health of their mother, as to do so would disable her ability to give her best to those reliant on her. As we all are!
This brings to mind the well-known proverb, 'you reap what you sow'. So the question we all need to ask ourselves is, “What are we sowing now and what is it that we will reap?” The consequences of that action will not be only for us to bear, but also for the future generations to also bear.
If one looks around, one will notice that Papatuanuku (Mother Earth) is being compromised at this time. Are we doing all the right things to address that pressure, to keep her in good health, to make sure the future generations have the ability to at least partake of the fruits of the Earth as we have had those opportunities? I would suggest not.
This is our watch team, our children and their children are relying on us to do the right thing.
As Sir Mick Jagger once said, “You can’t always get what you want, but if you try, you can get what you need!”
Stewart Bull – QSM
Stewart Bull is a member of the Southland Conservation Board and represents the board on the Murihiku Kaitiaki Roopu. He is also chair of the Rakiura Tītī Committee, as well as a member of Predator Free Rakiura and Predator Free Southland, Whenua Hou Committee, Fiordland Marine Guardians, the Rakiura Tītī Island Administering Body and on the Cra8 Management Board.
Stewart has always had an interest and participated in environment and resource management and has always felt the concept of Kaitiakitanga/stewardship is a responsibility he has an absolute obligation to. Stewart has worked closely with the Department of Conservation and was an honorary fisheries officer.
In June 2018, he was the recipient of the QSM, for services to Maori Community and Environment.
You can read the full Envirosouth magazine as a PDF online here.
