Get the most out of this celebration of the Māori culture of Tāmaki Makaurau.

The 2017 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. It offers an opportunity for Mana Whenua to share their culture and supports the identity and aspirations of local Māori.

The second annual Tāmaki Herenga Waka Festival –  a free and family-friendly celebration of the unique Māori history, heritage and contemporary culture of Tāmaki Makaurau – is taking place at the ANZ Viaduct Events Centre and Basin on Auckland Anniversary Weekend, 28-30 January 2017.

The festival includes performances by established and emerging contemporary Māori artists and Auckland’s top kapa haka groups, workshops and talks, Māori crafts and kai, traditional games and healing, tā moko demonstrations, and storytelling.
The on-water programme includes tribal waka races, have-a-go waka experiences and sailings.

Tāmaki Herenga Waka Festival goes ahead rain or shine. Don’t forget to bring sunscreen and a hat, although there is plenty to do inside the ANZ Viaduct Events Centre when you need a break from the sun. Make sure you also bring some money to grab some of the amazing kai or to take a trip on a sailing waka.

For first-time festival goers

  • On Saturday, 28 January, the festival starts with the arrival of waka at 7am, a rare chance to see multiple waka on the waters of the Waitematā Harbour, followed by a powhiri in the ANZ Viaduct Events Centre at 8am.
  • Take the chance to get up close to the only active iwi waka tauā (traditional war canoe) in the Tāmaki Makaurau region, Te Kotūiti.
  • Don’t miss 80 kaihaka, kapa haka performers from Te Waka Huia, performing in tribute to the group’s founders and champions of modern kapa haka, the late Dr Ngapo ‘Bub’ Wehi and his wife Dr Pimia Wehi, 10.30am on Saturday.
  • Check out some of New Zealand’s brightest musical stars teaming up with emerging musicians in collaborations designed to nurture the next generation. The established musicians are Troy Kingi,; Whirimako Black; Ria Hall; Seth Haapu; Rob Ruha; Ranea Aperahama; and Majic Paora. The emerging talent includes Aporonia Arahanga; Sherydon Ngaropo; Kaaterama Pou; Ngapera Aperahama, Te Punawai and Teone Hotu.
  • Try your hand at traditional Māori crafts and games, learn some words of Te Reo Māori or find out about using traditional Māori plants for healing in free workshops.
  • Register early to have a go at paddling a waka or sailing on a double-hulled ocean-going waka – these activities are so popular, they book up fast. Sailings are $10 per adult and $5 per child.
  • Try hot hangi, mussel fritters, creamed paua, fried bread or boil-up – with pork, potato, kumara, pumpkin and fresh watercress.
  • Get a temporary moko.
  • Find a perch on the Karanga Plaza steps, Te Wero Island or in the grandstand of the Viaduct’s Market Square to watch the fiercely contested tribal waka races on Saturday.
  • You can pick up a programme and map at the festival – or check them out online at aucklandnz.com/tamakifest

For returning festival-goers

  • Bring some friends who haven’t been before.
  • Come early on Saturday for the waka arrival at 7am and the 8am powhiri.
  • Don’t miss the tribute to Te Waka Huia founders Dr Ngapo and Dr Pimia Wehi (10.30am Saturday), or the closing tribute to Prince Tui Teka, Maui ‘Dalvanius’ Prime and Sir Howard Morrison, with performances by Patea Māori Club, Howie Morrison Jnr and Troy Kingi (4pm Sunday).
  • Check out the story-telling on Level Two in the ANZ Viaduct Events Centre – iwi telling their own stories, Whale Rider actor Rawiri Paratene telling Māori legends, and the Auckland Museum Story Lab where you can create your own story.
  • Remember to sign up early for the activities that book out fast – the rongoā Māori hands-on traditional healing sessions, the waka paddling and sailing experiences.
  • Have a look at Auckland Art Galley’s The Māori Portraits Pop-up Exhibition and listen to curator talks to learn more, on Level Two.
  • Listen to performances from Troy Kingi; Whirimako Black; Ria Hall; Seth Haapu; Rob Ruha; Ranea Aperahama; and Majic Paora, each teaming up with emerging stars including Aporonia Arahanga; Sherydon Ngaropo; Kaaterama Pou; Ngapera Aperahama, Te Punawai and Teone Hotu.
  • Become part of the festival – do a Facebook livestream video.

For kids

  • Have a go at rākau, pōtaka and poi games.
  • Weave a flax flower.
  • Get a temporary moko or tattoo painted on your face.
  • Dance in front of the main stage, where there will be singers, kapa haka performers and a DJ.
  • Listen to stories upstairs on Level Two, and join Auckland Museum educators as they help you to create your own stories through kōrero, music and art. Get up close to ta moko (tattoo) instruments and taonga pūoro (Māori instruments) and be inspired by taonga from the Auckland Museum collections.
  • Share ice-cream in half a watermelon or pineapple.
  • Watch the exciting tribal waka races on Saturday.

For parents

  • There are loads of child and family-friendly free activities at the Tāmaki Herenga Waka Festival.
  • A host of staff and volunteers from Te Wānanga O Aotearoa, He Oranga Poutama Ki Tāmaki Makaurau and Auckland Museum are on hand to teach children traditional crafts and games, and to create their own stories.
  • The waterfront is very busy on Auckland Anniversary Weekend, so just in case you get separated, write your mobile phone number on your child’s arm or hand and snap a photo of your child in the day’s outfit when you arrive.
  • Agree on a meeting place if family members get separated.
  • The Lost Kids tent is just outside the main festival entrance of the ANZ Viaduct Events Centre.
  • With a registered AT HOP card, children aged 5 to 15 years pay just 99 cents for bus and train travel for all of Auckland Anniversary Weekend.

For being social

For travelling to and from the festival

  • The ANZ Viaduct Events Centre and Viaduct Basin are located in the heart of Auckland city on Auckland’s waterfront. They can be easily reached from any part of the city, by foot, bike, car or public transport.
  • Make your journey to the festival a hassle-free one by planning your trip beforehand.
  • The Tāmaki Herenga Waka Festival is a 10-minute walk from downtown Auckland’s Britomart Station and Ferry Terminal.  Plan your journey or download a timetable from Auckland Transport at at.govt.nz.
  • Public transport is the best way to get to the festival, whether it’s a bus, train or ferry. It’s often easier and quicker.
  • The festival is also easily accessible from the cycleway network.

What: 2017 Tāmaki Herenga Waka Festival
Where: ANZ Viaduct Events Centre and Basin
When: Saturday 28, January, 7am – 6pm; Sunday 29, and Monday 30, January, 10 – 6pm
Cost: Free entry

This celebration of Māori heritage and culture of Tāmaki Makaurau is driven by Mana Whenua of Tāmaki Makaurau, in partnership with Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development (ATEED).

Tāmaki Herenga Waka Festival is one of a host of exciting events happening on Auckland’s waterfront and harbour over Auckland Anniversary Weekend (Saturday 28 – Monday 30 January), including Ports of Auckland SeePort Festival and Sunset Symphony & Fireworks; Silo Cinema – Mayor’s Choice and Silo Sessions; Cloud Market on Queens Wharf and HMNZS Te Mana Navy Ship Open Day ; Auckland International Buskers Festival; Ports of Auckland Anniversary Day Regatta; family activities and heritage vessels sailings in and around the NZ Maritime Museum; and on Monday, enjoy walking and cycling on some traffic-free streets during Play Streets in Wynyard Quarter.

The groups that comprise Tāmaki Makaurau Mana Whenua are:

  • Waiohua – Tāmaki Alliance
    • Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki
    • Ngāti Tamaoho
    • Te Kawerau-ā-Maki
    • Ngāti Te Ata Waiohua
    • Te Ahiwaru
    • Te Ākitai Waiohua
  • Marutūahu Tribal Group
    • Ngāti Maru
    • Ngāti Paoa
    • Ngāti Tamaterā
    • Ngāti Whanaunga
    • Te Patukirikiri
  • Ngāti Whātua Tribal Group
    • Ngāti Whātua
    • Ngāti Whātua o Kaipara
    • Ngāti Whātua o Ōrākei
    • Te Uri o Hau
  • Ngāti Manuhiri / Ngāti Rehua Tribal Group
    • Ngāti Manuhiri
    • Ngāti Rehua
  • Ngāti Wai
    • Te Iwi o Ngāti Wai
  • Waikato
  • Waikato-Tainui
Major events
Media release
Melanya Burrows
Senior Communications Advisor – Major Events
+64 9 365 0614
+64 21 986 710
[email protected]