Waitomo Papakainga were fortunate enough to be a part of beautiful kaupapa during the Waitangi Week Celebrations for 2025.
Our whanau worked alongside the lovely kaimahi of Te Runanga o Te Rarawa in hosting the National Iwi Chairs Forum, including waiata, registrations and whakarite kai. We had the privilege of meeting iwi leaders from around the motu, creating long term relationships on behalf of the wider iwi of Te Hiku o Te Ika as well as demonstrate the hospitality of the haukāinga by way of koha kaimoana, koha rāranga and koha whakairo.
E mihi ana ki Te Rūnanga o Te Rarawa i whakahaere i tēnei kaupapa whakahirahira, i whakaae anoki kia tae mai mātou ki te tautoko i nga whakaritenga.
The Re-Opening of Te Tiriti o Waitangi Whare Tūpuna at Te Tii Marae was another prestigious occasion. Observing the pre-dawn karakia at Tou Rangatira offered an insight into traditional means of building inter-tribal relationships. Led by Ngāti Whatua and Taranaki iwi, the karakia carried through to the newly renovated whare tūpuna, followed by the pōhiri to the kawe mate honouring an ongoing tradition of the haukāinga. There was a high calibre of kaikōrero on the taumata on both sides, with each speaker offering a substantial wero to inspire ngātahitanga amongst te iwi Māori.
Finishing the week off strong with the Waitangi Forum Tent on Waitangi Day – Waitomo Papakainga participated in the Karakia Hura I Te Rā o Waitangi and led the Waitangi Forum with a ngāhau kapa haka performance to start the day of wānanga. Our tāne were awake at 3am to set up and were there doing logistics at the end of the day. Our whanau served manuhiri in the kaumātua and kuia tent for the day, again demonstrating the hospitality of our haukāinga.
Big week for our Waitomo Papakāinga whanau but we enjoyed every moment and always strive to reconnect our whanau by exposing them to kaupapa Māori that will uplift their mana motuhake. E tika ana me mihi ki a Ngāti Kawa, Ngāti Rāhiri me nga kaiwhakahaere puta noa i tēnei wiki whakahirahira o Te Tai Tokerau.