Gary Cook - Journeys into the Mystery

Secretland2

Journeys intothe Mystery

by

Gary JCook

2002 Integrity ResearchFoundation

Photography: Gary Cook

Author: Gary Cook

Published by the SecretlandProject

PO Box 8756,

Symonds Street,

Auckland,

NEW ZEALAND

www.secretland.co.nz

FIRST SMASHWORDS EDITION

November 2012

Copyright 2012 SecretlandProject. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may bereproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in anyform, or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying,recording or otherwise without the prior written permission of TheSecretland Project.

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To the many who have helped tobring this book into being, and to those who have walked with me:Raywyn, Barry and Cushla, Noel and Julie, Jan, Patrick, Greg andRose, Arthur and Lyn, Martin, Mick, Toni, Kynan, Brendon, Nicola,Wayne, Ashton, Martin, Dr Bill, Gordon, Merv, Ron, John, Doug andTrish.

CONTENTS

In the past it was a rareoccurrence, a moment to pause, when someone took their courage intheir hands and stood tall to challenge the established tide. Yet,it is happening more and more today, and it is healthy for there isoften decay in the established way. That's the danger in life, theclosing down that happens when the established view, the opinionsof the 'experts' become fact, and the only view.

Gary Cook's journey into ourpast is a worthy one. It opens doors into a history that has beenclosely sealed for too long. It is not a hard-edged history, for itis a gentle exploration of the land and its secrets. Above all itis a personal journey within which he places fact and artefactalongside perceptions that are purely intuitive. While for thescientist there are dangers in that there are also great strengths.Many of the greatest discoveries of science have come from suchflashes of insight. There is much to explore at the interface ofscience and spirit.

Barry Brailsford

Why this book?

My journey started many yearsago when I first experienced deep longing for the security ofspiritual roots and a path to divine wisdom. I searched for amarker or a guide. I was well aware that I had little in-depthknowledge of my ancestors. From this understanding grew a desire tolearn more of the history of the development of the human race.Deep within all of us there is a strong desire to know of ourcultural roots and where our ancestors came from; to discover ourown unique ancestry and, at the same time, learn of our distantrelationships with many people. There is a strong desire to givemeaning to our existence and contemplate our origins. Eventually, Istepped on to my pathway to follow my own spiritual journey; toremain steadfast to my vows and live in the distractions of thisincredible creation is a continuous challenge.

The world of today stillpresents many great mysteries and I have been presented with thechallenge to explore and disseminate information of the legacy leftby the early comers to New Zealand; to bring alive the history andthe information that was short on facts and long on story. One feltthat there was more depth to the history of New Zealand than wewere told; that the arrival of the ancestors of present day Maorihappened only 600 to 700 years ago. Over a period of years, duringwhich I attended rural schools, many of my classmates were of localiwi, and I collected snippets of information. I found itinteresting that some elders and parents offered a version of theirfamily history that contained stories of earlier arrivals.

Over the years, pieces ofinformation came my way that gave further substance to many earlyarrivals, and pointed to a deeper New Zealand history. Theseinteresting and seemingly unrelated snippets of information werefiled in the recesses of an ever inquiring and curious mind. Attimes information would surface of people and unexplained placenames that existed in the landscape. I could never quite understandwhy Maori myth, legend and whakapapa were not considered factualenough to be an accepted part of the history. I knew there was atreasure trove of knowledge, kept safe and secure by the few, to beshared one day with the many.

My journey, which has led tothe writing of this introduction, started one memorable day in June1995 when I read a book review. The article captivated me. Itdescribed the exciting work undertaken by historian BarryBrailsford, who was invited to sit with the elders and share sacredknowledge of our past that was revealed for the first time. Thebook was Song of Waitaha: The Histories of a Nation.

My hands trembled as I liftedthe paper wrapped wooden box that housed a treasure, a taonga, yetto be revealed. I cleared my office desk with one hand, gentlyplacing the box in the centre. My fingers traced the outline ofsquare cut bone and inlaid greenstone set on the lid. I wondered atthe skill and craftsmanship of this wondrous work, made from threedifferent timbers from the forests of this land and assembled bythe hands of those who are descendants of the ancient people.Carefully, I lifted the lid. It was a perfect fit; light, yetstrong and timber hard to the touch. The inside revealed a texturedwrapping paper made from the flax plant. As I pulled the paperaside, a note was revealed, addressed to me. It read:

'Ki a Gary. Nga Mihi Aroha Ki aKoe;

May this taonga bringunderstanding and peace to our peoples.

Thank you for your trust andpatience. Arohanui.'

BJ. Brailsford

The note alsotold me that I had received book number 79. I then eased the volumefrom the box. The heavy book was leather bound with a deep incisedmotif on the front cover. The cover was deep tan in colour, themotif displaying ancient symbols. Little did I realise at thismoment, that the first touch of the book was the second step on ajourney that would span many years and cover great distances. Ajourney that would take my wife, Raywyn, and myself to many places,to experience a completion that allows us to share the wonder andjoy we have both felt on our quest. The book I then held in myhands was Song of Waitaha: The Historiesof a Nation . The story of the earlycomers, as held within the pages, was to inspire me to seek thetruth behind the writings. My journeys would allow me to travel theland, and share :findings with the wider world.

My subsequent meeting withBarry Brailsford was a coming together of two like-minded people.We shared much of common interest and belief. A belief based on anearnest desire to take the wisdom of the elders and present thisgift to all who would listen. To tell the stories from within thisland and share the vision. To gift the wisdom of the past to thepeople of the present, so they may shape a better future.

We were both to :find therewere those who saw our intention as entirely self-seeking, topromote personal gain. There are none quite so blind as those whocannot see the truth when it is placed before them. The stories Iwrite are not mine. I claim no ownership. I share, in wonder, thatwhich I discover. My personal views are separated from anypolitical or racial bias. My magazine articles, books and lecturesare the means by which I bring a deeper, more meaningful history toa wider audience. A history that I have not invented, but havepartially resurrected.

The stories that follow havebeen selected from a series of 27 magazine articles, firstpublished in Rainbow News. The contents reflect the work of manypast and modern day researchers.