Learning Together

The wānanga began with kawe mate, followed by pūrākau and kōrero about Matariki. Kaikōrero shared kōrero tuku iho and tātai, while tamariki learned to identify the whetū of Matariki.



Learning was practical and intergenerational. Whānau built an ahurewa, harvested and prepared kai using traditional methods, and experienced karakia and takutaku within their proper context. Manaaki, koha and whanaungatanga were practised throughout the gathering.

Returning Hautapu to Kauhanga

Before dawn on Sunday, whānau gathered for hautapu, returning an important practice to Kauhanga after more than a century. The occasion was later featured by Te Karere.

Hautapu was followed by a karakia to reinstall carvings at the māhau of Te Poho o Ngāti Kahu, before whānau gathered for a concluding hākari, acknowledgements and waiata.

Matariki Huihui Tangata created a space for whānau to remember those who had passed, celebrate together and pass knowledge between generations.

Matariki provided the occasion, but Kauhanga, our whānau, our kōrero and our tikanga gave the kaupapa its meaning.