--- title: You are a Sacred Seed descended from the Highest Heavens description: “you are a sacred seed descended from the highest heavens” is a constant source of optimism for Te Rau Kupenga image: https://www.centreforoptimism.com/hubfs/Te%20Rau%20Kupenga%20One%20of%20the%20mantra%20we%20live%20by%20%E2%80%93%20and%20which%20is%20a%20constant%20source%20of%20optimism%20for%20me%20%E2%80%93%20is%20%E2%80%9Che%20kakano%20koe%20i%20ruia%20mai%20i%20Rangiatea%E2%80%9D%20%E2%80%93%20%E2%80%9Cyou%20are%20a%20sacred%20seed%20descended%20from%20the%20highest%20heav.png --- ###### [Check out Our latest insights on Optimism](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog) [![Centre for Optimism_Logo](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/hubfs/Centre%20for%20Optimism_Logo.svg)](https://www.centreforoptimism.com?hsLang=en) - [Home](https://www.centreforoptimism.com) - [Subscribe](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/subscribe) - [Why Optimism?](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/whyoptimism) - [What is Optimism?](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/whatisoptimism) - [The Optimism Principle](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/theoptimismprinciple) - [Need Optimism?](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/services-and-workshops) - [The Optimism Workshop](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/workshop) - [Victor Perton - That Optimism Man](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/victorperton) - [Magnetic Optimism for Organisations](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/magnetic-optimism-workshops) ![Close Icon (3)](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/hubfs/Close%20Icon%20(3).svg) ![Search (2)](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/hubfs/Search%20(2).svg) ###### [Faith](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/tag/faith) , ###### [Maori](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/tag/maori) # You are a Sacred Seed descended from the Highest Heavens “One of the mantra we live by – and which is a constant source of optimism for me – is “he kakano koe i ruia mai i Rangiatea” – “you are a sacred seed descended from the highest heavens” I met Te Rau Kupenga in Samoa a few weeks ago. I asked him what makes him optimistic. Te Rau kindly shared his wisdom*, "I am Maori – the indigenous people of Aotearoa (NZ).  As an indigenous person we live with the context of multiple generations that we descend from and with a clear role, purpose and mission for the future.  One of the mantra we live by – and which is a constant source of optimism for me – is “he kakano koe i ruia mai i Rangiatea” – “you are a sacred seed descended from the highest heavens”. It reinforces who I am, to whom I belong, and the sacred connection I have to those I descend from as well as who come after me."* Te Rau has held several senior executive roles across the New Zealand government, including Deputy Secretary for the Environment and Deputy Chief Executive roles at the Ministry of Education and Housing and Urban Development.  Te Rau co-authored [Mauri Ora – Wisdom from the Māori world.](https://www.amazon.com.au/Mauri-Ora-WIsdom-Maori-World-ebook/dp/B07L3XGW8F)   [![Worth Doing: Our 5-Minute Survey on "What makes you Optimistic?"](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/21889975/3fe2583c-4bf7-44c7-b2c7-b0a950f65f53.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/21889975/3fe2583c-4bf7-44c7-b2c7-b0a950f65f53)   [Written by Victor Perton](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/author/victor-perton) ##### Keep up to date with the latest from Centre for Optimism ##### We appreciate any contribution you can make to help us spread optimism with the world [![Give Today](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/21889975/daed54ec-1173-4b99-9390-e69152e87436.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/21889975/daed54ec-1173-4b99-9390-e69152e87436) #### Here are some similar articles ###### [Hope](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/tag/hope) , ###### [Joy](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/tag/joy) , ###### [Faith](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/tag/faith) #### [Roberto Almada su ottimismo, speranza, fede e gioia](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/roberto-almada-ottimismo-italiano?hsLang=en) [Read Article](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/roberto-almada-ottimismo-italiano?hsLang=en) ###### [Hope](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/tag/hope) , ###### [Joy](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/tag/joy) , ###### [Faith](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/tag/faith) #### [Roberto Almada on Optimism, Hope, Faith and Joy](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/robertoalmada?hsLang=en) [Read Article](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/robertoalmada?hsLang=en) ###### [United Kingdom](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/tag/united-kingdom) , ###### [Christian Optimism](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/tag/christian-optimism) , ###### [Faith](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/tag/faith) , ###### [Islam](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/tag/islam) #### [Faith, Optimism and Wellbeing: Insights from Britain](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/britain?hsLang=en) [Read Article](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/britain?hsLang=en) ## Connect With Us ##### We love to connect with everyone who is ready to open up and share their optimisim. - [![Facebook 2](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/hubfs/Center%20of%20Optimism%20Assets/Facebook%202.svg)](https://www.facebook.com/optimistsvoices/) - [![instagram (6)](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/hubfs/instagram%20(6).svg)](https://www.instagram.com/centreforoptimism/?hl=en) - [![linked in 2](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/hubfs/linked%20in%202.svg)](https://www.linkedin.com/company/centreforoptimism/) - [![youtube (3)](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/hubfs/youtube%20(3).svg)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFd4GnToz3WLasQSfsz_z8w) - [![twitter](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/hubfs/twitter.svg)](https://twitter.com/Centre4Optimism) #### Keep up to date with the latest from The Centre for Optimism ##### Contact Us Call Us: [+61 417 217 241](tel:+61%20417%20217%20241) (Australia) PO Box 5081, Garden City, Victoria 3207, Australia ##### [The Centre for Optimism](https://www.centreforoptimism.com?hsLang=en) - [Why Optimism?](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/whyoptimism) - [What is Optimism?](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/whatisoptimism) - Why be Optimistic? 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