on not losing

We gathered today as kaimahi of National Library of New Zealand in an all staff hui to pause and acknowledge this time of Matariki mā Puanga. Each of the Directors were asked to reflect on the past year and to share their hopes for the future.

As my role is disestablished on 30 June, I took the liberty of treating it as a farewell address of sorts.

I had told my team that I would be using the core of the words I shared earlier in May, and made a remark that sequels are never as good as the original. After the session, one of them messaged me to say "it was Empire/Aliens level" - which is a comparison I will gladly accept.

The words below are the second half of my sharing - words of Matariki Manako Nui, of looking forward.

We come now to this gathering – just a few days out from that new organisation being stood up.

And we turn to what gives us hope, what we are looking forward too.

What gives me hope is knowing that each of those I had the privilege of leading have roles in the new organisation.

What gives me hope is that five of the direct reports to the incoming Director Digital are those that I have coached, and that makes me very proud.

I look forward to what they lead currently for the Library, continuing across the new organisation. I can do so, look forward that is, because I know these individuals and the care, clarity and courage that is in them.

I have hope in my colleagues, who from 1 July have been tasked with leading this new organisation. There is much to do and many expectations.

Be kind. Be strong. Be uplifting. 

The kaimahi of this new organisation deserve nothing less.

On a personal note -  it has been a humbling and unique honour in being both the first and the last Pacific Islander to hold a place on this leadership team of Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa.

To speak gently to the simple truth - that if we believe Aotearoa New Zealand is a Pacific nation - then what choices as leaders can and must we make.

That reality and those of the Pacific solwara within these institutions give me hope - vinaka and meitaki to each of you.

Those words I’ve had scribbled in my notebook are of course from “Friday Night Lights” and I wanted to finish with the fuller quote from that movie - because I think these words capture some of what I feel as I reflect on what it has meant to lead this team through this year - but also speak to how I hope we can all collectively step forward. 

“To me, being perfect is about being able to look your friends in the eye, and know that you didn’t let them down because you told them the truth. And that truth is that you did everything you could — there wasn’t one more thing you could have done.

Can you live in that moment?

As best you can, with clear eyes, and love in your heart. With joy in your heart.

If you can do that, then you’re perfect.”

In the TV series Friday Night Lights, this speech became simply:

“Clear Eyes, Full Heart, Can’t Lose.”

Here at the end of this season, for my team, for this place and for myself - my eyes are clear, my heart is full and I have not lost.

Here’s to each of you - to continuing to be in the moment, to being perfect, and to never losing.

Thank you, Nga mihi nui, vinaka vaka levu.