Te Tii Marae chairman Ngāti Kawa Taituha says remembering those who have passed in the last year was a beautiful way to begin Waitangi commemorations. Photo: Layla Bailey-McDowell / RNZ
The iconic Te Tiriti o Waitangi Marae is once again welcoming manuhiri from across the motu after reopening at last year's Waitangi celebrations.
The marae, commonly known as Te Tii, welcomed iwi from around the country in a pre-dawn pōwhiri on Tuesday morning, one of eleven it will host this week.
The pōwhiri was also a kawe mate, a mourning ceremony where photos of those who have recently died are brought to a marae.
Among those remembered this year were activist Hinewhare Harawira and Ngāti Tūwharetoa Ariki Tumu Te Heuheu. His son and successor Te Rangimaheu was in attendance.
Photo: Layla Bailey-McDowell / RNZ
Marae Chairman Ngāti Kawa Taituha said it was a beautiful moment to welcome Ngāti Tūwharetoa, and the taumata acknowledged the many connections between Waitangi and Tūwharetoa.
"Hepi Te Heuheu opened our whare tupuna in 1977. So that was our connection with Tumu and down to Te Rangimaheu."
Remembering those who have passed in the last year was a good way to begin the commemorations at Waitangi this week, he said.
Governor-General Cindy Kiro will be welcomed to the marae on Tuesday, a first as she has previously only been welcomed to the Whare Runanga on the Upper Treaty Grounds, he said.
Photo: Layla Bailey-McDowell / RNZ
Taituha said there has been some discussion among Ngāpuhi leaders about moving all pōwhiri back to the lower Marae.
"They've seen the beautification of our whare tūpuna, the new carvings, the whole restoration, and it's kind of a reflection on where we're at as a people, as a whānau, as Ngāti Kawa, Ngāti Rāhiri, Te Matarahurahu."
More and more people are gravitating to the marae, he said.
Photo: Layla Bailey-McDowell / RNZ
Although there is still a little bit more work to do, he said, with additional carvings only added to the sides of the doorway of the whare in the last week.
"So there's a big kōrero with that with the quill... and on the other side is a scroll. And so that's to acknowledge our documents, of course. He Whakaputanga, Declaration of Independence and Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
"So it's just again, adding and enhancing the mana of our tūpuna, the signatories, and then down to us, the descendants and here we are today, carrying out all that mahi of our forebearers. Putting in all the effort to set up our next generation. Obviously, that's what it's all about for us."
A sunrise sets over Te Tii beach as Waitangi commemorations commence. Photo: Layla Bailey-McDowell / RNZ
