2021: The Year That Was...
"At the end of the day, all that really matters is: How well did you live? How well did you love? How well did you learn to let go?"
- Helen Keller
Kia ora koutou,
With the ongoing global and domestic uncertainty resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic, 2021 was yet another year for us based solely in New Zealand.?Although the official death-rate surpassed 5.2 million, the Economist estimates it is as many as 13-18 million deaths that have occurred as a result of this virus (based on surplus mortality statistics).?This was certainly not a good time to be global vagabonding, especially with a three-year-old in tow.?With the global rise of the Delta variant and newly emerging Omicron - it is likely that 2022 will also be a year of ongoing hardship and uncertainty.?Preying on human entitlement, disinformation, vaccine hesitancy, lack of vaccine equity, shutdown fatigue and societal complacency it is likely this invisible viral menace will continue unabated in its search for new hosts and become endemic within society at large.??
Given all our academic study abroad programs were cancelled for a second year running, like so many of us, it was necessary for me to continue pivoting to other working opportunities.?First and foremost, I completed the second edition of my book 'Papatuanuku's Breath' about?the domestic and global impacts of Covid-19 and the need to keep advocating for the sustainable well-being of our precious planet.?The book was supported by a Creative New Zealand literary grant and if interested the latest edition is available at the following link.
Along with my other books here:
I also partnered up on a research project working with Dr. Taciano Milfont at Waikato University writing a paper entitled:?'Climate Crisis as a Catalyst to Advancing Indigenous Rights.'?The research and writing took most of the year, and given how important the ongoing issue of climate change will be to all our futures, (Covid-19 just a mere subset of the impacts), we were very happy to receive the news that the paper is going to be published by the Indigenous Academic Journal MAI in the New Year.??
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For the most part however, 2021 was a year of raising our son Oliver and introducing him to many outdoor hiking excursions as we chose Nature to keep him as safe as possible from the virus before he can get vaccinated.??Over a series of excursions we gradually made our way walking the coastline of the Kapiti Coast all the way to Levin, (about 90 km from Wellington) and exploring many of the inland tracks in between.?We also got to?explore some more remote parts of New Zealand,??highlights including taking my Dad down to Queenstown, Glenorchy, Milford Sound and Doubtful Sound in February and a trip to Opunake, to visit New Plymouth and the Goblin Forest in Taranaki in October.?The trip down to Doubtful and Milford Sound was particularly memorable as at 87 years old, it was the first time my Dad had had a chance to do the overnight boating excursion through the pristine fiords of Doubtful Sound.?Despite his limited mobility he willed his way through some of the most remote parts of this planet and was rewarded with the majestic peaks,?sheer, ice-carved granite walls, turquoise glacial lakes and cascading waterfalls of?Fiordland National Park.??
Our timing for the journey really couldn't have been luckier as Dad was to sadly pass away just three weeks after our return back to Wellington.?He had been born and raised in Nelson, but given that he worked at his beloved law firm Chapman Tripp for over 60 years had rarely returned to the South Island after his parents passed away 25 years ago - so it was so nice for him to be able to get back to his roots and knock off some long-held travel dreams.?He was the toast of the overnight Doubtful Sound cruise for still traveling at such a venerable age, and even his fellow retirees mentioned that he was like a changed man upon his return to?Seven Oaks Retirement Home in Paraparaumu. Thus, although it was a massive shock to have him leave us in late February, at least he went out on a high.?Him and mum both lived such great, fulfilling lives and as almighty 'totara' of the community taught all us five kids so much.?Their incredible diligence and irrepressible aroha enlightened me as to what it means to stand upon the shoulders of giants.
Hoping that all are safe and well and playing life as best they can despite the challenging hand currently dealt to us by this phase of history, and wishing you all resilience, grace, discipline and positivity for 2022.
Arohanui
Nathan, Jeanette and our rambunctious 'threenager' Ollie.?
For all my photos, popular press articles and weekly online postings from the year see
G FIN, Risk and Compliance Management
2 年Wonderful to hear about the trip to Milford Sounds with your Dad. X
Communications Specialist
2 年I love this quote from one of my favourite people, I love the photo you took of one of my favourite places too, I love the way you have lived your year and I love your words about your dad. Thank you for sharing this Nathan Hoturoa Gray.