Te Arikinui Kuiini Nga wai hono i te po is welcoming Indigenous, traditional, and international leaders to Tūrangawaewae for Ngā Whā Pito o Te Ao (four corners of the world), a cornerstone event of her second Koroneihana.
The gathering marks the continuation of a vision expressed generations ago by Kiingi Taawhiao: “Ko ooku hoa, ka ahu mai i ngaa pito e whaa o te ao” – my friends will come from the four corners of the world.
While the Governor-General and members of the diplomatic corps will be in attendance alongside leaders from Fiji, Hawaiʻi, Rarotonga, Tahiti, Tonga, Papua New Guinea, and Argentina, the gathering is fundamentally about the power of Indigenous connection. For the Kiingitanga, the visit is a natural step in the enduring relationships between the peoples of the Pacific.
Speaking on the significance of the event, Kiingitanga spokesperson Rahui Papa emphasised the deep historical and cultural ties being celebrated. “Therefore, we will see the tending of the fires of kinship in this gathering,” he said.
The purpose of Whā Pito o Te Ao extends beyond ceremony; it is a collaborative platform to address shared challenges, from environmental protection and cultural preservation to economic development and intergenerational wellbeing. As Tangaroa Tekeu, representing the Cook Islands, noted, the bond between these nations remains strong: “There’s always this very closeness with the Cook Island peoples and our brothers and sisters over here always call us the elder, the eldest and then we respect that but we always say no no you are the eldest because you are the tangata whenua.”
Mr. Papa highlighted that Te Arikinui believes Indigenous leadership holds critical answers for the global challenges of today. “Indigenous knowledge is not simply something we inherit from our past. It can help us make better decisions about our future,” he added.
For Te Arikinui, the gathering serves as a contemporary expression of the vision of Kiingi Taawhiao, focusing on how Indigenous peoples can create the momentum the world needs by working together around a common purpose.