Nā Shakayla Andrews-Alapaki tēnei atikara.
Whānau and iwi from across Aotearoa have arrived at Tūrangawaewae Marae as celebrations get underway for the second Koroneihana of Te Arikinui Kuini Nga wai hono i te po.
Among them is Ngāi Tahu, which has returned to Waikato to celebrate Koroneihana and honour those who have passed the last 12months.
HONOURING LOVED ONES FROM HOME AND ACROSS THE MOTU
Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu kaiwhakahaere Justin Tipa paid tribute to those who have died, including renowned tītī pōhā expert Nicholas “Tiny” Metzger of Te Rūnaka o Awarua.
"Tērā te rangatira ka riro i te wā o te hui kāhui rangatira ā-iwi i Tāhuna, ahakoa kāre tōna ingoa i whānuitia ana, ko ngā hua o ōna ringa kua tae ki ngā tōpito o te motu," said Tipa.
"Ko Tiny Metzger tō mātou tohunga mahi pōhā tītī ka riro i ngā wiki tata nei."
And reflected on Metzger's lasting contribution to the continuation of traditional knowledge.
WAITAKI TO WAIKATO, A LASTING CONNECTION
Kīngitanga spokesperson Rāhui Papa said the relationship between Ngāi Tahu and the Kīngitanga spans generations and remains an important part of the movement's history.
Papa reflected on long-standing connections between Waikato and Ngāi Tahu, recalling relationships forged by leaders and kaumātua who strengthened ties between the two iwi over many decades.
"Nā Waikato i hua te whakaaro, nā Te Tairāwhiti i tautoko, nā ngā motu e rua o Aotearoa me Te Waipounamu i tautoko," said Papa.
"E kore e warewaretia te āhuatanga ki ngā mātua, ki ngā tūpuna i a rātou te whakahoahoa o Tā Tipene ki a Tā Robert Mahuta, ki a Koro Wetere mā i roto i ā rātou wā tae noa ki tēnei wā."
KĀI TAHU VOICES STAND IN SUPPORT OF THE KUINI
With Te Arikinui Kuini Nga wai hono i te po representing a new generation of leadership, with rangatahi having also travelled from across the motu.
Among them, Ripeka Pōtiki from Ōtākou, who said attending the event and standing before the Kuini was a significant experience.
"It's a huge experience for me as a Kāi Tahu," she said. "To stand in front of her and tautoko her is a privilege."
Also in attendance was Hana O'Regan, who said she had brought with her the wishes and guidance of her father, Ngāi Tahu claims lead negotiator Tā Tipene O'Regan.
"Ko tāna mai ki au he tohutohu anō, me ōna kaha kōrero mai mō te nui whakaharahara o tēnei mea te kotahitaka me tana mihi ki te Kuini i tana ārahi i a tātou te iwi Māori i roto i ēnei wā."
Koroneihana celebrations continue this weekend as political leaders, government ministers, indigenous leaders from around the world and manuhiri from across Aotearoa gather at Tūrangawaewae Marae. Attention will then turn to Saturday's Kauhau, where Te Arikinui Kuini Nga wai hono i te po will deliver her annual address.
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