‘Sharing the bounty the ebbing tide brings in’

One of the highlights of Waitangi is the annual waka parade and haka display on the shores of Tii Beach at the lower Treaty Grounds.

Among a fleet of about 23 waka was Te Vaka o Tākitimu, which signifies the historical connection Kūki ‘Āirani has to Waitangi.

Mataatua Waka. Photo/Joseph Safiti

Abenzar Wichman from the Whangārei Cook Islands community attends every year with his family to honour that relationship.

When PMN News caught up with Wichman, he had been holding his apa’u drum for over three hours.

“It’s awesome to be involved to welcome the waka onto the grounds and to also send them on their way.

Hundreds of people lined the street and the sand, with spectators from various vessels on the water, as 800 kaihoe (paddlers) performed karakia and haka in front of Te Tiritiri o Waitangi marae.

Kaihoe perform karakia at Te Tii Beach. Photo/PMN News/Atutahi Potaka-Dewes

This ritual is an integral part of mentally, spiritually, and physically preparing kaihoe for the journey ahead.

“For them to display their individual haka from each waka themselves and for the people on the whenua to send them off peacefully as they carry on back on to Te Moana Nui a Kiwa.”

Wichman spoke about carved pou (poles) on the Treaty Grounds created by Rarotongan carvers.

Joey Rapana from Kawakawa, Tearii Kupa-Wichman, Abenzar Wichman, and Chrissie of Whangārei, representing Kūki 'Āirani.

These same carvers were among those who crafted Te Whare Rūnanga marae on the upper Treaty Grounds and were recognised by Ngāpuhi during the welcome for the Pacific General Assembly on Wednesday.

“It’s great to be involved with tangata whenua, and as tagata moana, it is important that we do support them and encourage ourselves to participate in the future,” Wichman says.

Pāpā Ned Peita. Photo/PMN News/Atutahi Potaka-Dewes

Ngāti Hine kaumātua and waka parade organiser Pāpā Ned Peita acknowledged everyone who travelled from far and wide to come to his doorstep.

“Aku whanaunga mai i ngā moutere o te ao, he mihi kau ake tēnei ki runga i a koutou i tae mai rā ki roto o Aotearoa, arā ki runga o Waitangi, arā ki Te Tiriti o Waitangi, arā ki a tātou kua tau mai i te rangi nei.

“In the spirit of celebration, that is the only reason why we have Waitangi Day, which is to celebrate the signing of the treaty and the coming together of peoples," Peita says.

Waka being hauled to the shore at Te Tii Beach. Photo/Joseph Safiti

“It matters not what part of the world you come from, you come under the veil of welcome to our homeland. Our homeland stretches from here to Tahiti, Hawai’i, Easter Island, the Cook Islands, and the Marquesas.

“Tai pari, tai timu. The ebbing tide brings everybody and we share the bounty the ebbing tide brings in.”

A waka hourua - double-hulled canoe. Photo/Joseph Safiti.