On the 24-26 February some of our kaumātua attended a Hui Fono in Wellington. The theme this year was Hoe-Foe-Fohe-Oe-Voce, Journeys of the Past, Present and Future. This hui runs every year and the kaupapa is about Adult and Community Education (ACE). Our tāua are the Māori kaumātua for Hui Fono and had the opportunity to visit Te Papa and take part in the back of the house tour (Taonga Māori), which was an eye-opener for them all. The tāua also had time to visit the Gallipoli Exhibition which was very moving for them. The Hui Fono whānau hold our kaumātua in high regard and respect for their tautoko to the kaupapa. The next Hui Fono will be held at Waitangi for their 10-year birthday celebration.
‘Hui Fono Whakataukī…He Waka Eke Noa’
This whakataukī is about an experiential journey which everyone may embark upon. This relates to a waka not being owned by one person but used by all within the whānau and hapū in this context. It also relates to a means of transportation of knowledge, whakapapa, taonga, tikanga, kawa, kai, and tāngata (living and dead).
Our tāua with the Hui Fono whānau.
The hui fono whānau.
Our beautiful tāua at their hui.