07/09/2025
On Thursday, a group of kōhine from Hukarere Girls’ College and tama from Te Aute College made their way to Ngāruawāhia for the first Koroneihana of Te Arikinui Kuini Ngā Wai Hono i te Pō. We had the special privilege to tautoko Te Pīhopatanga, Archbishop Don Tamihere, during the karakia service on Friday.
This haerenga was led by Rev Zhane Tiopira Tāhau, supported by Rev Dorothy Smith, Hukarere Wharenoho Lead Supervisors Hinauri Tiopira Tāhau and Zara Unahi-Hale, and Hukarere’s Co-Presiding Member Whitney Olsen-Miller. Both Deputy Principals, Whaea Tracey (Hukarere) and Matua Chance (Te Aute), accompanied the roopū also.
A heartfelt thank you to the Ford-Takiri whānau, St Luke’s Church, SWPICS, and the Cook Island Community in Tokoroa for their manaakitanga in hosting us all overnight. We arrived to a warm Cook Island welcome, were served a beautiful hot kai, and sent off with on-the-go breakfast packs to sustain us for the day — your aroha and generosity made this haerenga possible!
During the celebrations, we were especially moved by the powerful words of Te Arikinui Kuini, in her first kauhau:
“Being Māori is not defined by having an enemy or a challenge to overcome. Being Māori is speaking our language. It is taking care of the environment. It is reading and learning about our history. It is the choice to be called by our Māori name. There are many ways to manifest being Māori, not just in times of protest.”
What an apt reminder for our tamariki and rangatahi — that being Māori shines through everyday actions, through identity, history, language, and kaitiakitanga, long after the formal events conclude.
It was a momentous occasion, allowing our tauira to stand in kotahitanga with ngā iwi o te motu, while being immersed in the tikanga and traditions of the Kiingitanga — an experience they will carry with them forever.
