WAITANGI DAY 2012 - An exclusive 6 night - 6 day Waitangi Day Ngapuhi cultural experience.
Waitangi Day is in essence New Zealand's national day. It celebrates, on the 6th of February, Te Tiriti o Waitangi (the treaty) signed between Queen Victoria and Ngapuhi chiefs in 1840, This forms the basis of modern New Zealand. It was signed in the Far North, in the Bay of Islands at a place called Waitangi.
Every year, Maori tribes from all over the country coverge on the birthplace of New Zealand the "Bay of Island's" and congregate at Waitangi to commemorate the signing of Te Tiriti o Waitangi (the treaty). It is with out doubt the most significant date in the nations calendar.
There are two main aspects to this commemoration
- An early dawn ceremony and service
- A massed flotilla of tribal waka (traditional canoes)
There have been as many as 300 warriors in 20 waka in the last few years.
These waka are filled to the brim with fierce warriors who are selected for their personal prowess and competence. It is indeed an honour for anyone fortunate enough to paddle a waka on Waitangi Day celebrating the Birth of the nation.
For the first time ever in New Zealand's history, tourist's (Manuhiri) are able to participate in this awe-inspiring national day of celebration alongside Ngapuhi warriors This is because our kaitiaki (guardian), Hone Mihaka from Taiamai Tours is also one of the pre-eminent chiefs of Nga Puhi (the fierce northern tribe), and his mana (prestige) allows him to do open areas of his culture to guest's which no one else in New Zealand's Tourism industry can.
Obviously, it is very important for those guests to be properly versed in Ngapuhi traditions, customs, chants and waka paddling so this exclusive New Zealand holiday encounter focuses on an intensive 3-day preparation for Waitangi, followed by Waitangi itself and then a feast day afterwards. In accordance with Maori culture, the accommodation is communal living the entire time on a Ngapuhi tribal Marae with customs, traditions and tribal protocols guiding the entire gathering and encounter.
This is something visitors to New Zealand will tell their grandchildren about. "I lived among the Ngapuhi on a Marae in Northland and paddled a waka taua (war canoe) with Ngapuhi on Waitangi Day", I now understand ........
Available only once a year and with a maximum capacity of only 32 lucky and special guest's this activity is a truly unique, intimate and personal experience away from the hustle and bustle of 1000's of Tourist's
Contact us for more details of this amazing cultural package. A truly once in a lifetime, unforgettable encounter.
Email: administrator@taiamaitours.co.nz
0064 9 405 9990
