“Ka Tū Te Tītī – the return home”
Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu held their bi-annual Hui-ā-Iwi in Invercargill from 22-24 November 2019. This is a three day event dedicated to all things Ngāi Tahu – it is a celebration of whanaungatanga and Ngāi Tahutanga; about remembering and connecting as iwi, hapū and whānau. In 2019 this was hosted by the four rūnaka of Murihiku Southland, Awarua, Oraka-Aparima, Waihopai and Hokonui. Hui-ā-Iwi is also a w ay for whānau to kōrero with the Te Rūnanga leadership group in the open forum and to hear leaderships report back on the Annual Report.
Having four rūnaka working collaboratively together on such a large event was a first for the iwi, with event management by Mīharo Murihiku. Held at ILT Stadium whānau ‘returned home’ from all over Aotearoa, from Australia, and from even further away, with attendee numbers peaking at 3,500 on day 2; with a further 10,000 whānau watching a live stream of the event.
A highlight of the event was an interactive Tītī installation. By the end o f the Hui, there was a flock of Tītī flying, all decorated or written in by the whānau attending. This installation was possible with the support of Community Trust South.
The partnership and collaboration of the kaupapa Māori organisations in Murihiku supported the efforts of the four organising rūnaka, and Te Rūnanga o Ngai Tahu in providing information and advice on the support available within the region, positively celebrating everything Māori and highlighting all that Murihiku has to offer.
