Coronation celebrations offer cultural connection

Saturday morning saw the start of the annual Koroneihana celebrations at Ngāruawahia’s Tūrangawaewae Marae.

The event, commemorating the coronation of Kiingi Tuheitia in 2006, started with an early morning karakia and flag-raising, before the programme of cultural activities began.

Despite the intermittent rain, casting a rainbow over the marae, members of the public came from far and wide to watch kapa haka, cheer on sports teams, or enjoy the kai on offer in the expo tent.

Haani Huata, a professional trainer at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa, was looking forward to watching the day’s performances by groups from around the country who managed to secure a sought-after spot entertaining the Māori King and visitors.

Haani has been coming to Koroneihana every year for “as long as [she] can remember”.

Her ties to the Kiingtanga are special: As a child her nan, mum, and siblings would set up the kitchen, while her grandfather was minister to the Māori Queen, Dame Te Atairangikaahu.

She was also the youngest of 17 women to receive a mokopapa (facial tattoo) to honour Kiingi Tuheitia’s ascent to the throne in 2006.

That’s why she says it’s important for her and her family to keep coming back each year, “to hold up the tradition and support” the next generation.

Meanwhile, across the road at Paterson Park, the Koroneihana sports kicked off with the ki-o-rahi tournament, a traditional game which can trace its origins back to ancient times.

Heremaia Samson, a co-ordinator for Koroneihana Sport, said that there was growing interest in ki-o-rahi, especially over the last few years.

“Being a traditional Māori game, [it is] fitting to include it as part of the Koroneihana celebration.”

In addition to showing support for the Kiingitanga movement, Heremaia said that the teams are drawn to partake in the ki-o-rahi tournament because “a lot of our whanau are starting to really connect” to the game.

Kieran Barry, a first-time visitor to Koroneihana, was among the ki-o-rahi spectators on Saturday morning.

Originally from Ireland, Kieran has been studying Te Reo Māori and said that being at events like Koroneihana “hugely” impacted his learning.

“Almost everything about Māoridom is new to me in the way that it functions, so just understanding tikanga is hugely important to me.”

Koroneihana 2019 activities ran from  August 17 – 21 to mark the 13^th anniversary of Kiingi Tuheitia’s coronation.