We celebrated for a week, starting with poi making workshop on Monday. On Tuesday we remembered those who had passed by planting trees along the Opāoa river. Celebrating the present was again the focus on Wednesday with harakeke whetu making workshop followed by a shared campus lunch. Back to the future on Thursday with a walk to the Opāoa Bridge, the relatively new northern entrance to Waiharakeke. The Opāoa Bridge features a stunning seven-metre pou whenua carved by Reg Thompsett as well as interpretation panels that share the history of the mana whenua of Te Wairau. And finally, a few hardy souls joined Te Rūnanga a Rangitāne o Wairau to observe Matariki as it rose above The Wairau Bar early Saturday morning.