Thousands expected at Hui Tau 2021 in Kaikohe over Easter Weekend

Thousands of manuhiri will be heading to Kaikohe this Easter as the Whangārei and Kaikohe Stakes (Northern New Zealand regions) of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints host their Hui Tau 2021 restoration event and celebrations.

Organisers say they are on track to reach 3500 nationwide registrations, with up to 2000 non-registered attendees also expected over the weekend. People will be travelling from as far away as Christchurch, and from all over the North Island.

Kaikohe Stake president Trevor Beatson says all events over the weekend will be open to the public beginning with a mass powhiri to welcome all guests, church services, hangi, plenty of speeches, lots of music, eight kapa haka groups from around the country, and youth who will speak in te reo Māori about their faith, culture and their ancestors.

Mr Beatson says the Church features large amongst Ngāphui communities and families. “My mother went to her first Hui Tau in about the 1940s when she was only six or seven. Having put our hands up a couple of years ago to host this event it’s great that with COVID-19 we can still go ahead, only our international visitors had to pull out. We’ll be streaming sessions to them,” he says.

To find out more about Hui Tau, or to register, visit this link.

If you’re in Kaikohe checking out the events, go and say Kia Ora to Taryn and Lee from TRAION who will have a  Ngāpuhi merchandise stall in the market space for Hui Tau on Saturday 3 April. They plan on being there all day having korero with whānau and promoting iwi registrations.

Pictures below: Photos from Hui Tau events dating back to circa early 1900s.