Ka hikimata te tapuwae o Tangaroa, ka whaimata te Tapuwae o Tangaroa, ko te Tapuwae Roa e tū nei!
Yesterday was a special day for us as we marked the end of our chapter as Te Pūtea Whakatupu Trust with a whakamoe ceremony at the Whairepo Lagoon in Te Whanganui-a-Tara.
We recognised the 20 years of our trust, acknowledged the whakapapa of the fight to create it, and then proceeded to a new taumata under our new ingoa: Tapuwae Roa.
Our name compels us: pay heed to the trails that we follow, left for us by our ancestors, and like a stone dropped into a pond, be deliberate about the ripples our impact creates for future generations.
Following formalities, we were joined by those who have been a part of our journey over the years for parakuihi, where we shared moments of reflection, gratitude, and anticipation for the exciting path ahead.
Thank you to all who played a significant role in this journey:
- Our Tohunga Che Wilson, Rahui Papa Tekou, and Rikirangi Gage who gifted us our new identity
- Norm Dewes, Rangimarie Parata Takurua, John Tamihere, Henare Edwards, and Hon Willie Jackson who shared their kōrero with our film and Rawiri Tapiata of Moko Media for the videography.
- Hori Te Ariki Mataki of Ariki Creative who designed our Tohu
- Te Ohu Kaimoana for their tautoko
- Madison Henry and Vincent Egan of Maui Studios for capturing the day
As we embrace this new chapter, our purpose is stronger than ever; whāngaitia matua te tuakiri Māori. Tapuwae Roa is not just a new name, but a renewed promise of our unwavering commitment to drive tikanga-led social change and achieve the visions dreamt by our tipuna.
