28/02/2023
Tēnā tātou e te whānau. Hope everyone’s had a great start to the week, We’re still coming down off the Matatini high, getting those kapa haka withdrawal twitches lol. Right from the first pūkāea (traditional Māori trumpet) being blown at the pōwhiri, it was dynamite.
Ohhhhh that pōwhiri. If you weren’t there, all we can say is OMG!! 😳😳😆😆😬😬
On a different (yet same) note, running things like a kapa haka team, a sports team, or in this case, our own whānau business/kaupapa, usually comes with great sacrifice. We often find ourselves forgoing things like comfort, financial security, convention, travel, concert tickets, sometimes even food. Big things too, like relationships, friendships, in extreme cases, one’s own mental health and peace of mind. Living a kaupapa Māori centric lifestyle is definitely purposeful, but very ‘unconventional’ to say the least. Hahaha.
But when your passion aligns with your purpose, from a business perspective, you often end up operating purely on faith. As that’s usually what’s left to keep the waka moving forward on the unpredictable waters of self-employment. Pushing past the FUD (fear, uncertainty, doubt) and finding ways to shift past your previously established horizons (limits) to reach new lands (growth), just like our courageous tūpuna (ancestors) did.
With that whole sermon being said lol, we’re both proud and humbled to say, that our whānau kaupapa, Te Ahurei Māori Tourism, has reached new lands. As we’ve officially been awarded our Qualmark - Bronze Level accreditation (cue applause 👏👏 lol).
For the business/kaupapa, this has been one step of a thousand steps, throughout the long journey, with thousands more steps to come. However, though we say it’s only one step, for us, it’s a hugely significant one. A step that will hopefully open more doors for our kaupapa and allow greater public awareness (domestically and internationally) for Te Ahurei Māori Tourism. Providing us with more opportunities to share our Māori Art Walking Tour of Hamilton CBD experience with new manuwhiri (guests) from all corners of the globe.
Allowing us to share the stories of our magnificent tūpuna and our beautiful home, Kirikiriroa-Hamilton, the greater Waikato region and the people of Tainui Waka. We would like to extend our sincere gratitude and thanks to all the manuwhiri (guests) who have experienced our tour and supported us in the four years we’ve been operating. Also, the many artists who have brought their talents to Kirikiriroa-Hamilton and gifted us their artwork, along with the stories within their work. Additionally, a huge mihi (greeting) to the Māori Tourism bodies and many creative organizations within Kirikiriroa-Hamilton, for their vision and work, to establish and facilitate the many public art initiatives over the years. Without you all, our kaupapa wouldn’t even exist lol.
Boon Arts
MESH Sculpture Hamilton
Creative Waikato
Tainui Waka Tourism Incorporated
NZ Māori Tourism
Last but not least, with all humility, our deepest and most enduring love to the generations of tūpuna (ancestors) from Waikato and the Tainui Waka, for the proud legacy of love, service, integrity and dedication you leave behind. So that we, your children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, may continue and hold fast to the principles and values of kotahitanga (unity) for the generations to come.
Paimaarire.
Ko te Kiingitanga te Mana Motuhake.
Tu te Kiingi ki Waikato.
E ko Kiingi Tuheitia.
Hō!!!
