Waitangi

Prime Minister Goes South for Waitangi: Hāngī for 10,000, and Tips from a Māori Warden!

From dining on hāngī to profound insights from Māori wardens, this Waitangi Day is set to be a feast for the body and spirit! 🍽️🎉

As New Zealand gears up to celebrate Waitangi Day, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has announced his intention to commemorate this significant occasion at Ōnuku Marae in Akaroa with Ngāi Tahu. Luxon emphasized his commitment to recognizing this day across the country, and his choice of location is sure to resonate with history enthusiasts and supporters of Māori culture alike. His participation at Ōnuku not only highlights the importance of the day but also draws attention to the rich communities that continue to uphold the spirit of te Tiriti o Waitangi through their traditions and practices.

Meanwhile, a celebratory hāngī prepared under the expertise of renowned chef Joe McLeod is set to feed an impressive 10,000 people at Te Tii, symbolizing kotahitanga—or unity. This incredible feat of culinary art showcases the historical significance of sharing food in Māori culture, and the coming together of communities, both Māori and non-Māori, to honour the journey of Aotearoa as a nation. With hāngī being a traditional method of cooking in this beautiful land, the event promises a feast that will not only satisfy the appetite but also nourish connections among attendees.

It's not just the hāngī that holds significance during this festive day; Matarora Smith, a Māori warden, shared her experiences and insights about the emotional and historical weight of Waitangi Day. Her sentiments reflect the deep connections felt by members of the Māori community as they commemorate their ancestors’ efforts in establishing a contract that signifies partnership with the Crown. Such narratives remind us all of the ongoing journey toward reconciliation and understanding in New Zealand, reinforcing the importance of events like this.

On a lighter note, it seems that the heavens may bless the day with good weather, creating the perfect backdrop for mass gatherings across the country. Whether it’s at the tauranga dawn service at Mount Drury or various other events planned nationwide, New Zealanders are set to join together in reflection and celebration. It looks like Waitangi Week is not only about acknowledging the past but also about embracing the future as a unified nation!

To spice up your Waitangi knowledge, did you know that the largest signing of the te Tiriti o Waitangi occurred on February 12, 1840, with over 3,000 Māori in attendance? Additionally, for those who love reading, consider diving into some essential Māori scholarship literature that traces back to some of the first published works in New Zealand! This needs to be celebrated by all Kiwis!