Katie | Matariki 2021

Te Takinga Marae Trust and Nga Marae o Mourea Women's Welfare League held a Matariki@Mourea Whanau day at our marae on Sunday 4 July 2021. It followed our iwi hautapu ceremony at 5am that morning. Around 200 whanau members turned up on a beautiful, sunny crisp winter's morning to learn about the stars [a planetarium on the marae], plant native trees, a maara kai and spring bulbs, enjoy sports and games, listen to a live band, and send messages of love on a diy waka to those loved ones who have passed. Of course, we had kai, free coffee for the parents and free ice cream for the kids. Best day ever! This was a new experience for our whanau who normally come to the marae for tangihanga. Next year, the whanau want to do it all again- only bigger and better!