It was a last minute decision to go to the Hui-ā-Iwi 2015. On Thursday 20 November we booked our tickets and the next day we flew out. We were glad that we made the flight.

On the morning of Friday 21 November, after throwing some clothes into a suitcase, the four of us, Tāua Amiria Whiterod, myself (Emma Whiterod) and the tamariki, Manawanui and Kiritiaho, boarded the plane bound for Dunedin. Another whanauka from Ōtaki, Alistair Murchie, had already landed in Te Waipounamu. [Read more…]

Te Matatini 2015

Some of our whānau were lucky enough to make the journey to Te Waipounamu for Te Matatini. Here Tāua Amiria shares some of her thoughts from the event:

“It was a wonderful opportunity for Ngāi Tahu, Ngāti Māmoe and Waitaha to return the manaakitanga that was received post-quake. He Ngākau Aroha was felt throughout the festival. [Read more…]

Kāi Tahu ki Ōtaki me Horowhenua

Waiata practice, Tuahuru Marae, Māhia
Gael and her daughter, Te Riria, travelled from Ōtaki to Māhia for the weekend practice session of Te Matatini waiata in the North Island. Puamiria and Liz presented on all aspects of Te Matatini and the haka pōwhiri and waiata tautoko that the hau kāika will be performing. It was a wonderful weekend of whakawhanaukataka, learning and kai reka. Ka mihi ake ki te whānau i tiaki nei i a mātou kā uri o Tahu. Ko te tohu o te rakatira ko te manaaki.