July 18, 2009

Matariki 2009 Te Papa

This year Matariki, the Maori New Year, was celebrated in style at Te Papa over a fun filled jam packed wonderful 18 days. Lynn timed it very well indeed to arrive at such a special time of the year, and we did what we have done for the last few years and headed to Te Papa to be part of the event.

We had been so busy all week so we ended up only seeing the last day of the celebration, but it was well worth it. Te Papa was packed with people all there to embrace what was happening. We watched the Kaumātua Kapa Haka from the main foyer, each kaumātua group celebrates an iconic composer from the 20th century including Kohine Ponika, Sir Apirana Ngata, Sir Kingi Ihaka, and Tuini Ngawai. Among the performers were the children and mokopuna (grandchildren) of these composers, providing a living link to these well known waiata (songs) and haka.

Not only that it was for the first year ever streamed live to people all over the world via the wonders of the Internet.

Here is a little video of some of the day, enjoy – we certainly did.

Written by: Marrisa

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