Stars align at ‘super-special’ Matariki celebration in Tolaga Bay

Whānau from across Tairāwhiti travelled to Ūawa/Tolaga Bay on Friday to take part in Matariki celebrations after a challenging couple of years dealing with weather events and cyclones. 

The Tātaitia Rā Matariki Festival began early in the morning when about 200 people gathered on the beach to take part in a whāngai i te hautapu ceremony, stargazing, kōrero about Matariki and a fire performance from Kelly Blackwell. 

Co-organiser Hana Parata-Walker said the whāngai i te hautapu ceremony was a chance to reflect on those who had passed and share aspirations for the future. 

Before lunchtime, people gathered at Te Rawheoro Marae where a flag ceremony was led by Padre Arch-Deacon William Gray. 

“It was an occasion to mark the homecoming of a special flag from World War I making its way back to Tolaga Bay after being purchased by a collector and being gifted back to the community,” Parata-Walker said. 

Following the ceremony was an afternoon of live music performances from reggae bands Tomorrow People and Corrella with support from AH35 and 2Milebay, and Robert Alaalatoa from Papakura’s Got Talent. 

During Tomorrow People’s performance, they pulled Tairāwhiti musician Chad “Boogieman” Chambers out of the crowd and on to the stage to perform their 2012 collaboration Souljah Feeling. 

Tomorrow People presented Chambers with a plaque celebrating the single hitting double platinum status. 

“It was super-special to be done while on the East Coast,” event co-organiser Dexter Waru said. 

It was a highlight to see the smiling faces of rangatahi as they sang along to some of their favourite Aotearoa music live in their small town, he said. 

Along with the music, there were festival stalls showcasing local arts and crafts, food and interactive displays. 

The weather was a bit of a concern as the day dawned but it stayed calm enough for the event to go ahead. 

“We were competing against a number of factors, including winter weather, fog and cancelled flights, but the community spirit was there,” Waru said. 

Parata-Walker said hosting it at Te Rawheoro Marae this year was special and around 800 people attended. 

“It really made the flag ceremony and concert meaningful. Being along the banks of the Ūawa River and under the shade of our whare wananga. We think our tipuna Hingangaroa would have been proud,” she said. 

The organisers thanked the sponsors and “our village”, who helped make everything happen.