Tū Mātau Ora (TMO) & Te Atiawa mini report for NZCT 2025
Collaboration between Tū Mātau Ora and Te Atiawa for Te Rā o te Raukura supported by Wellington Community fund.
Date: 01 February 2025
Location: Te Whiti Park, Waiwhetū, Lower Hutt
Time: 10am – 4pm
Theme: Your health is your greatest wealth—let’s make it a priority together for 2025
Te Rā o te Raukura is a whānau-oriented community cultural festival that has been running since 1997. It has become one of the largest annual Māori Cultural events held in the region, with an annual average attendance around 16,000 people. This year’s focus was “Health is your greatest Wealth”.
Tū Mātau Ora provided a range of Taonga Tākaro throughout the entire event. TMO was the only free interactive physical activity, and also the only interactive cultural activity, and for the whole whānau.
TMO are proud to have been able to provide a traditional Māori activity at one of the largest Māori cultural events!
Helping:
- local iwi Te Atiawa revitalise traditional activities in their traditional spaces
- provide a safe, fun space for the whole whānau, hapū, iwi, the whole community to play together
- Increase knowledge, engagement, exposure and protection of Ngā Taonga Tākaro
- Normalise Taonga Tākaro me ona tikanga
- Increase physical activity
- Whānau connection through play
Above: Poukoki/stilts, Poi Toa in the distance, Pōtaka in gazebo and Tū Toka on whariki in foreground – Te Rā o te Raukura 2025
Above: Prior to the event we invited Police and Health staff to give our Pōtaka a go
The feedback from the day was positive, grateful and encouraging.
Some quotes from the day include:
“This is a cool kaupapa” – Pakeke
“I saw you guys from over there and knew I’d enjoy this” – Rangatahi
“Can you come to my school?” – Rangatahi
“Kia Ora again, we seem to be seeing you guys everywhere” – Kaupapa Whānau
“It’s been 50 years since I’ve been on stilts!” – Kaumātua
“Thank you for entertaining my whānau all day!” – Māmā
“Nan, watch me!” – Moko
“We’ve had great feedback about you guys” – Staff
“Thank you for your amazing mahi with our whānau today, we definitely want you guys back next year” – Organiser
Above: Pōtaka – “I can show you how to do it” – 8 year old boy (in black) teaches a Father, son and daughter how to spin a pōtaka
Above: Sharing mātauranga about the kēmu and the kaupapa of Tū Mātau Ora
Since the event we have made multiple connections and/or re-connections with whānau, staff, schools and other organisations.
We have also unofficially been locked down annually for future Te Rā events.
Tū Mātau Ora is extremely grateful for the support from NZCT, ngā mihi mahana ki a koutou!
The experience from this event has strengthened our whanaungatanga with Te Atiawa, staff and surrounding communities. It has also confirmed a high need and continued want for our services in this space.
Any pātai and comments are welcome, we would be also grateful for your feedback and thoughts on our mahi.
Please get in touch if you would like to experience one of our events first hand, perhaps a team building session?
Kōrero mai!
Mauri ora
Ness & Pita
Kaihautū
Tū Mātau Ora
Tū Mātau Ora 