Te Pou o Mangataawhiri has marked its 20th anniversary with a celebration grounded in tradition, unity, and the enduring power of waiata tuku iho.
The milestone event paid homage to the kaupapa that has guided the kapa since its inception. Rather than focusing on competition or recognition, the group continues to centre its purpose on carrying forward the values of those who came before.
Co-tutor, Paumea Walker says the group embodies the teachings of past leaders, emphasising the importance of preserving tikanga and promoting peace.
“Ko Te Pou o Mangataawhiri ki au te whakatiinanatanga o te koorero a Te Puea Herangi e mea ana ki te waha ki te waha i te tikanga me te rangimaarie. Ehara i te mea he roopu haka noa, ehara i te mea te whai i te korooriatanga, te whai i te whakaihuwakatanga te whai o teenei kapa.”
Walker said that visibility haKo te kaihaka o te rārangi wāhine, a Rangi Ngatipa Foster, i kī i whakanuia anō e te huritau te tūranga o te rōpū ki te whakakaha i te kotahitanga i waenga i ngā iwi o Tainui.s never been the driving force. Instead, the focus remains on continuous growth and contribution—whether on stage or behind the scenes.
“I a maatou ka tuu ehara i te mea e whaaia ana kia moohiotia maatou, ehara i te mea koiraa te whaainga, Ko te whaangai ia te waa, ia te waa he whakakapa haka pea, he whakatinana pea i ngaa mahi me kore e kitea i runga i te papatuuwaewae.”
Fellow performer in the women’s line, Rangi Ngatipa Foster, said the anniversary also highlighted the group’s role in strengthening unity among Tainui iwi.
“Kei roto i ngaa koorero a ngaa tuupuna ngaa kura huna. Noo reiraa, ko taa maatou he hahuu ake i ngaa waiata tawhito hei akiaki te reanga whakatipu i te tira hou i eenei rangi nei.”
Ngatipa Foster said the the superpower of the groups success in style and stance lies in the stories of their ancestors of Tainui Waka.
“Ko taa maatou koha pea ki te marea ko te whakakotahi i ngaa iwi o Tainui ki raro i te maru o te Kotahitanga ki te whakanui o taatou Maaoritanga.”