Leading from the front issuu

Penal Abolition) are testimony to his commitment to a
fairer, more just and inclusive society. Similarly, Pat’s tenacity
and eternal optimism are evident in his ongoing
drive to have the true history of Aotearoa taught in all
schools and to promote the Te Araroa Trail — not just as
a tourist venture, but as a vehicle to offer hope and opportunity
to at-risk youth.
But what amazes me most about Pat, is the vision
he had 57 years ago to buy and rejuvenate a piece of
bare land at Puketitiri (at a time when planting trees was
hardly fashionable, let alone spoken about). In this relatively
remote spot he and his family planted what is an
amazing native forest of his own — the ‘little sister’ of
Balls Clearing. What a treasure and a legacy to leave for
future generations.
Pat’s actions in support of people in need will always
be admired and remembered and his prophetic courage
to speak out and challenge the powers-that-be are
equally inspirational, but perhaps his most tangible and
lasting legacy will be his foresight and environmental
wisdom encapsulated in this age-old whakatauki from
tangata whenua:
‘Whatu ngarongaro he tangata, toitū te whenua’ — People
disappear, but the land remains.
Painting by Marilyn Scott’s husband John Ruth, Seascape at Dawn II.
182
Restorative Justice – for an unjust justice system