
Tera te haeata takiri ana mai ki runga o Hikurangi
Tera te haeata takiri ana mai ki runga o Hikurangi
This celebration provides the opportunity for tribal members and their manuhiri to welcome in the New Year and the first rays of Tama-Nui-Te-Ra aloft our sacred mountain. It is here among these nine spectacularly carved whakairo, created for Year 2000 Millennium celebrations, where a karanga will welcome in the New Year, followed by a karakia, haka and waiata. At the conclusion of the ceremony korero will be provided about the whakairo, who represent Maui and his whanau, before everyone descends back down the Maunga to the Pakihiroa Woolshed for a BBQ breakfast.
For first-timers or returning attendees, this uniquely cultural and spiritual experience begins with a 3.30am start, assembling at the Pakihiroa Woolshed. Four-wheel drive vehicles are a necessity to make the 45 minute (or 10.5 km) journey up the Maunga where participants gather at Te Takapau a Maui Tikitiki a Taranga.
3.30am Assemble at Pakihiroa Woolshed flat approximately 1.75km along Pakihiroa Road
Click here to see a photo of the area
Health & Safety | Register & Vehicle checks
4.15am Depart for Te Takapau a Maui
5.00am Assemble in parking area adjacent to Te Takapau a Maui
5.15am Dawn Ceremony commences
Karanga |Karakia |Haka | Whakatau
6.30am Descend from Te Takapau a Maui
7.30am Barbeque breakfast at Pakihiroa Woolshed
Due to health and safety requirements, for all those wishing to participate, you will be required to agree to the following rules:
Complete the online registration form here. Participation will be limited to the drivers and passengers of the first fifty registered 4WD vehicles.
The track to the Maui Whakairo is for 4WD vehicles only. It is a very steep farm track with large drop-offs so extreme care whilst driving is required.
Please note that the dawn ceremony is dependent predominantly on weather conditions. If the weather forecast is not suitable, the organising committee will determine whether to cancel and those who have registered will be notified on the afternoon of the 29th December.
For weather updates check the links below.
Metservice: https://www.metservice.com/rural/gisborne#!/ruatoria
ACCU Weather: https://www.accuweather.com/en/nz/ruatoria/248318/daily-weather-forecast/248318
For further information, contact:
Te Runanganui o Ngati Porou Trustee Ltd
Taryne Papuni: 0225011002
Email: dawnceremony@tronp.org.nz