“Living in Iceland was the result of the typical young Kiwi OE adventure. It started in 1976 as three friends flying to England to extend our horizons” says Gary.
Selfoss is a small town that sits on the banks of Ölfusá river in Iceland. It’s a centre for commerce, farming and small industries in South Iceland and is home to around 7,000 residents. It’s not the first place you’d imagine you’d find an owner of Māori land. But it’s exactly where you’ll find 64 year old, Waimate-born Gary Te Maiharoa.
“Living in Iceland was the result of the typical young Kiwi OE adventure. It started in 1976 as three friends flying to England to extend our horizons” says Gary.
“My roots are to the Waitaki and surrounding area and our Waihao marae. The primary hapu is Te Runanga o Waihao of Waitaha, Kāti Mamoe and Ngāi Tahu.”
But now Iceland is the place Gary lives with his wife Johanna Höskuldsdóttir.
“I’m married to an Icelander. We have four grown-up children. Two girls, both born in New Zealand and two boys born here in Iceland. We (also) have six grandchildren ranging in age from 1 to 19”.
Gary currently works for a plastic-pipe company in Iceland. But he’s also dabbled in a number of other industries in his time there.
“During my 35 years here, I’ve worked a wide range of jobs. From fish factories, stints on the sea, salmon farming, net making & repairing, sales, building, and running our own family pizza/fast food business. Unfortunately (the family business) didn’t make it through the hard bank crash period here, after five good, fun years”.
The link to home
Like many Māori, the connection to his whānau and whenua hasn’t diminished despite living so far away.
“I have a large extended whānau in New Zealand. For Māori living abroad, so far away – of course it’s hard. Especially when circumstances lead to a long and virtually permanent absence from dearly loved whānau and our precious Māori culture” says Gary.
Gary is one of the many Māori landowners who’ve made use of My Whenua, with three of his Te Waipounamu blocks administered by Te Tumu Paeroa.
“My Whenua is great. (It’s) excellent to be able to see all the information about the land. It’s useful and keeps me informed on all matters involving it”
To Gary, his connection to his whenua in the South Island is something very special to him. And his yearning for home doesn’t wane.
“I don’t know how to explain the feeling I have when I think of my land. It’s so important and precious to have this connection and it’s not about money. It’s something within that draws me to it. The desire to uphold the respect for our land that our ancestors held, and their values.”
Gary Te Maiharoa - Māori land owner
Register for My Whenua
If you’re an owner of Māori land that we administer, stay connected to the land by signing up to My Whenua today. Find out details here or watch the video below.
If you wish to share your kōrero, you can contact us through media@tetumupaeroa.co.nz