For the first time, Waitetī Marae played host to Ngāti Whakaue Whakanuia, welcoming thousands of whānau and descendants from across the nine marae of Ngāti Whakaue for a day filled with waiata, mōteatea, poi and haka and aroha.
But while the hosts were ultimately awarded Te Aronga o Whakaue, the festival’s highest honour, the significance of the occasion extended well beyond the performances on stage.
Since its inception in 2014, Ngāti Whakaue Whakanuia has provided a platform for Ngāti Whakaue descendants to reconnect with their marae, strengthen their knowledge of whakapapa and pass the traditions of their tūpuna to future generations.
For Hurungaterangi kaiako, Ruakiri Fairhall, that purpose remains at the heart of the kaupapa.
“It’s about our reo, it’s about connecting, it’s about whakapapa, it’s about bringing encouragement to our whānau.”
Fairhall said the festival was particularly important for whānau from Ngāpuna, who continued to show up and participate despite the challenges facing their community.
“Our whānau at Ngāpuna, they need a lot of support, but the good thing about our people back home is they give everything a go. This is what it’s all about, and we keep going back year after year.”
That same sense of belonging was echoed by Te Papaiouru “Super Koro” and respected kapa haka legend, Trevor Horowaewae Maxwell, whose participation was an opportunity to acknowledge the community that had embraced his whānau.
Although Maxwell has longstanding connections with Ngāti Rangiwewehi, he and his whānau have spent much of their lives living in Ōhinemutu.
“For me and my tamariki, performing for Te Papaiouru is to give something back to Ngāti Whakaue, who’ve looked after us living there.”
Maxwell described the atmosphere at Waitetī as a beautiful celebration of the iwi.
“It just gives you such a beautiful buzz. So happy for our marae here at Ngāraranui, Waitetī.”
For Tūnohopū uri Kanapu Rangitauira, the greatest achievement was seeing different generations of Ngāti Whakaue standing together.
“Ko te whanaungatanga te mea nui. Ko te whakatupu i ngā reanga hou, ngā tamariki, ngā mokopuna, i waenganui i a tātou.”
Whanaungatanga is the most important thing, he said, particularly nurturing the next generations of tamariki and mokopuna within the iwi.
That intergenerational connection was especially meaningful for Te Kuirau performer Rehua Selwyn, who took the stage at Ngāti Whakaue Whakanuia for the first time with his daughter.
“I haria taku tamāhine ki runga i te atamira, nō reira ko te tūnga tuatahi tērā.”
Selwyn said his group’s performance was about carrying the histories of Te Roro o Te Rangi, Tūtānekai and Te Kuirau Marae, while bringing descendants back together.
“Ko te whāinga matua, ko te whakakotahi i ngā uri.”
For him, the greatest reward was returning home to stand among his people.
“Koinei taku tūnga tuatahi i te Ngāti Whakaue Whakanuia, nō reira koirā te hua, ko te hoki mai ki te wā kāinga, ki ngā uri, ki te iwi o Ngāti Whakaue.”
A celebration carried through grief
Behind the colourful performances and celebrations was an enormous effort by the Waitetī Marae organising committee, whose preparations were repeatedly interrupted by the passing of loved ones.
In the month leading up to the festival, the marae helped facilitate four tangihanga, including that of longtime trustee and respected rangatira Tamahau Palmer.
Waitetī māngai kōrero Karl Leonard acknowledged the challenges of preparing for the festival while also fulfilling their responsibilities to those who had passed.
“Kua mutu te tū, kua tutuki ngā mahi o ngā wiki kua pahure.”
Leonard said the numerous tangihanga had left little time for practice, as the marae continued to farewell their loved ones, including Tamahau Palmer, Henry Whakaue, Rosie Khan and Richard King.
He also acknowledged Dudu Lite, a descendant of Ngāti Ngāraranui and Tūteaiti, who was being laid to rest in Tūhourangi on the day of the festival.
For Leonard and his whānau, standing on stage was as much about honouring those who were no longer with them as it was about celebrating those who remained.
That sentiment was shared by Te Koutū representative Rangitiaria Tibble, who said their performers also carried the memories of loved ones onto the stage.
“Tēnei mātou ngā uri o Tumahaurangi, o Karenga. I mauria mai ō mātou mate, kia tangihia tahitia ki ō tātou mate katoa i te rangi nei.”
She acknowledged several whānau members who had passed, including Nanny Haehaetu, Nanny Patsy, Nanny Dolly and Koro Alec Wilson, as well as the mother of Ricky Bishop and Koro Anaru Te Amo.
Their tributes reflected another important dimension of Ngāti Whakaue Whakanuia: a gathering where the living celebrate their whakapapa while remembering those who have paved the way.
Despite the challenges, the host committee delivered an event that welcomed hundreds onto their marae.
Organising committee representative Wallace praised the collective effort.
“The preparation has gone absolutely fantastic. The team has worked really hard over the last few weeks. Their organising of Whakanuia has been brilliant.”
But he was clear about what the occasion truly represented.
“It’s not just about the kapa haka. It’s about our whakapapa, it’s about who we are, our identity.”
Te Aronga o Whakaue returns to Waitetī
At the conclusion of the festival, Waitetī Marae was presented with Te Aronga o Whakaue, the carved taonga awarded to the group or marae that best exemplifies the ideals and aspirations of Ngāti Whakaue Whakanuia.
Carved by Ngāti Whakaue uri, Paki Wilson, the taonga recognises more than excellence in performance. It represents the values of whakapapa, whanaungatanga, manaakitanga and the collective responsibility to uphold the identity of Ngāti Whakaue.
Waitetī joins a distinguished line of previous recipients, beginning with Paratehoata Te Kohea Marae in 2014, followed by Te Koutū Marae in 2016, Waikuta Marae in 2018 and Te Kuirau Marae in 2024.
The festival also honours the legacy of Ngā Toki Kākātarahae, including Joe and Pare Hakaraia, Tenga Rangitauira, Kima Hakaraia and Hamuera Mitchell, whose contributions to the cultural traditions of Ngāti Whakaue continue to inspire successive generations.
For Waitetī Marae, receiving Te Aronga o Whakaue on their own whenua, while hosting their iwi for the first time, was a fitting conclusion to months of hard work, sacrifice and service.