Lots for tamariki at Tāmaki Herenga Waka Festival

Tamariki can have lots of fun at the Tāmaki Herenga Waka Festival on Auckland Anniversary Weekend at the ANZ Viaduct Events Centre and Viaduct Harbour.

From dancing and singing taniwha on stage, to te reo Māori cartoons and games, making model waka and paddling real ones, there are a host of activities for the young and young-at-heart.

The free, family-friendly three-day festival includes an extensive programme of music, games and craft activities, storytelling, and waka parades and rides to celebrate the unique Māori history, heritage and contemporary culture of Tāmaki Makaurau.

Five colourful taniwha take to the stage 10.30am on Saturday, 27 January, for the high energy Mahi Pai show. The te reo-singing, NZ Sign Language-signing taniwha use popular waiata (tunes), reo rotarota (sign actions) and kanikani (dance) to entertain people of all ages, with their live show proving a hit of the 2017 Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori.

Taniwha also feature upstairs in the art and fashion zone, with storyteller Pita Turei sharing stories of the Taniwha of Tāmaki Makaurau at 11.30am on Saturday, 27 January.

The new Pipi Mā cartoon will be screening throughout the festival upstairs in the Taiwhanga Hangarau Matihiko (digital space), the latest offering from Kristin and Hōhepa Tuahine, the couple behind Aotearoa’s first te reo Māori talking dolls.

Kids and adults can also check out a range of digital games and apps that help people learn basic te reo Māori and Māori stories and history.

Back downstairs, festival-goers of all ages and abilities can try traditional Māori games using poi, rākau (sticks), and pōtaka (spinning tops), and get a temporary moko.

Kids can pull up a colourful beanbag or dance to their hearts’ content throughout an extensive stage programme of kapa haka and contemporary Māori music across the three days, wrapping up into the Monday afternoon (January 29) finale with online music sensations, Maimoa Music, a collective of talented young musicians included current and former presenters of youth TV series Pūkana.

Outside in Karanga Plaza, Auckland Libraries’ Maui Pātaka Kōrero Kaewa bus will be the base for colouring competitions, bilingual storytime, making your own waka and kete (baskets), Māori makerspace activity and a showcase of Auckland Libraries’ Māori resources and books for people to enjoy.

Kids can also get out on the water in waka (age and adult accompaniment restrictions apply), but get in early if you want to paddle or sail – the experiences book out quickly.

The Tāmaki Herenga Waka Festival is driven by Mana Whenua of Tāmaki Makaurau in partnership with Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development (ATEED) on behalf of Auckland Council.

ATEED General Manager Destination Steve Armitage says the festival is well-suited for its younger visitors: “The festival’s relaxed, welcoming and friendly vibe has been a big hit with families in the first two years of the festival. It’s truly a unique day out – where else in the world can you sail on an ocean-going waka like Moana, listen to exciting stories in te reo Maori and English, and get hands-on with games and craft, all while sampling the delicious kai on offer.”

Festival Mana Whenua Steering Group Chair Hau Rawiri says with Auckland being home to more than 180 ethnicities, the region’s Mana Whenua can provide the platform for the people of Tāmaki Makaurau to learn about and understand each other, and to share the many things all cultures have in common, like music, art, games and good food.

“This is about showing tamariki and mokopuna of all backgrounds that it’s cool to korero and use some te reo Māori, no matter what your cultural identity; to see and do and interact with modern Māori technology, like digital games, or try their hands at traditional things, like weaving, playing with poi or rākau or paddling a waka.”

Waka hourua (double-hulled sailing waka) experiences are open to anyone over the age of five (children eight years old and under must each be accompanied by an adult), while waka tangata experiences are open to everyone eight years old and over.

Waka tangata experiences are free and waka hourua sailings cost $10 per adult and $5 per child.

Waka paddling registrations are available in Karanga Plaza, between the ANZ Viaduct Events Centre and the tidal steps, while waka hourua sailing tickets can be purchased at the festival information stand.

Waka activity is subject to capacity and weather conditions.

• Auckland Anniversary Weekend: Tāmaki Herenga Waka Festival is one of a host of exciting events happening on Auckland’s waterfront and harbour over Auckland Anniversary Weekend (Saturday 27 – Monday 29 January), including the launch of Vector Lights on Auckland Harbour Bridge; Ports of Auckland SeePort Festival and HMNZS Te Kaha and HMNZS Wellington Open Days; Ports of Auckland Sunset Symphony & Fireworks with the Auckland Symphony Orchestra; the Auckland International Buskers Festival; Silo Cinema & Ice Cream Sundae; Queens Wharf Markets in The Cloud; Ports of Auckland Anniversary Day Regatta; and family activities, game and heritage vessels sailings in and around the NZ Maritime Museum.

• For more information about the Tāmaki Herenga Waka Festival and its kaupapa, go to aucklandnz.com/tamakifestival

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