Kapahaka, a celebrity sports dinner, a concert at the pa and a Kaimoana festival will all feature as part of a dynamic strategy planned by the Mauri Manaaki Tangata (MMT) – the Kāpiti Horowhenua Rugby World Cup 2011 cluster supported by the local Māori business network.
The strategy, which will be launched by Bishop Muru Walters and Tariana Turia at Tukorehe Marae (south of Levin) today (19/5) also celebrates 150 years of Māori Rugby.
Rōhe around Aotearoa are all preparing individual strategies to take advantage of tourism and cultural opportunities during the Rugby World Cup festivities. The Kāpiti Horowhenua cluster is one of the first to launch its programme.
MMT cluster coordinator; Myra Poutama-Reid (Ngāti Tukorehe) has been working for the past six months to develop the strategy and engage with local and regional organisations including Nature Coast Enterprise, the Tenths Trust, Aratahi (the seven iwi chairs), the Greater WRC coordination team, and the Manawatu coordination team.
The manawhenua of the strategy is recognised by eight marae in the region and is summed up in the phrase ‘Mauri tū, Mauri ora mai i Kāpiti ki Horowhenua’ (where we stand proud and achieve well-being). All participating marae will provide information promoting culture and regional tourism (Mauri Ora). They will also offer a four-week schedule of ‘spectacular’ evening events (Mauri Tu).
Fourteen different rugby games will be held between September 11 and October 9, all within three hours drive from Kāpiti and Horowhenua. The seven Wellington games will be supported by three games in New Plymouth and two games each in Napier and Palmerston North.
Te Rōpū Pakihi Kaiwhakahaere Daphne Luke says the strategy aims to take advantage of traffic on State Highway 1 during this period.
She says as the single biggest event ever hosted in AotearoaNZ, the Rugby World Cup tournament provides as a unique opportunity for the Kāpiti Horowhenua region to work together to showcase all aspects of its regional tourism and celebrate its cultural distinctiveness.
“Māori have demonstrated their readiness, their willingness and their ability to take up the wero (challenge) and develop activities that will contribute to the well-being of all peoples in the Kāpiti and Horowhenua Districts,” she says.
Over the four weekends 18 September, 25 September, 5 October and 10 October four marae will provide Mauri Ora. On the Saturday and Sunday of each weekend, they will host events, which will include demonstrations of carving, weaving, performing arts and story telling, historical tours, the sale of local products and manaakitanga (the sale of refreshments and food to visitors.)
Four marae will provide Mauri Tu by hosting of one spectacular event each weekend. This will be held on the weekend night that a game is not being held. The key events, subject to confirmation by Iwi, Hapū and other organising groups, are:
Mauri Tu Marae
18 September
Kapa Haka showcase, contributors from the four Iwi and local groups (all ages) – a new event to be developed.
25 September
A Celebrity Sports Dinner at the Ōtaki Māori Racing Club. This may follow a race meeting providing the ŌMR are successful in their bid to alter their meeting schedule.
5 October
Kuku Rock; A Concert at the Pa. Ngāti Tukorehe holds this event annually and has rescheduled it to suit the tournament.
10 October
Kaimoana Festival – Te Āti Āwa ki Whakarongotai has a strong connection to the sea, Kāpiti Island and the Chathams. These connections will be utilised to host a Kaimoana Festival.
Marae stays will also be offered as will hospitality for camping groups in tents and in campervans. These arrangements are also subject to confirmation.
The powhiri for the strategy launch will begin at 1.30pm with short presentations and afternoon tea to follow.
