Maia
Maia grew up with by alcohol being linked to having a good time with whānau. After an uneasy experience with her son, she wants to put a a stop to the culture of harm around her.
This interview includes candid recollections of the impacts alcohol have on whānau and relationships, including parents and their children. There are references to bullying and hospitalisation. It may bring back memories of similar stressful events for some people. Please seek help if you need it at any point.
Chapter 1
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"… you see some people who saw alcohol as just in times of celebration and that was it. But there were those who would carry it on through their daily lives, because always at home it was always in the fridge and it was always in the cupboard."End Quote
Chapter 2
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"With my brothers it became part of life. If you didn’t drink you were boring."End Quote
Chapter 3
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"When you’re in that situation at a party, when you’ve got your mates around, it’s very hard, even though you know that’s the wrong thing to do, it’s very hard to say no."End Quote
Chapter 4
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"That was my desire for my children: to be able to find that right path. If you go off that path, then hey, let's pray for you that you’ll get back on the right path."End Quote
Chapter 5
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"That was probably the worst, most hurtful time for my whole being, of seeing your son beaten up like that because of the alcohol."End Quote
Chapter 6
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"He talks really deeply. I sort of think that that’s the Māori and that’s the wairua coming out. His own sort of spirituality that comes out."End Quote
Chapter 7
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"The most devastating is the physical, verbal and emotional harm that is done, not forgetting the spiritual separation. The mana, integrity, and mauri/special character of the person is diminished."End Quote
Related kōrero
- Maia's son Dave talks about his side of what happened. Listen to Dave's story.