Support fires up as Te Matatini mauri meets Māngere

It was full house at Mataatua Marae in Māngere last night to welcome the mauri, the ceremonial representation of the spirit of Te Matatini.

Rangi McLean from Manurewa Marae, which has hosted the kōhatu for the past month, says the tono to host the mauri actually came from the Mauke Cook Islands dance group, which lit up the event.

"They put on a huge fire dancing extravaganza last night which was something that added value, in my opinion, to the mauri o Te Matatini and the wairua and the environment that is generated amongst our marae that are supporting this kaupapa," he says.

Other marae are lining up to hold the mauri before the region hosts Te Matatini in early 2021, with it set to go to Ngāti Te Ata at Tāhuna marae near Waiuku next month and Piritahi Marae on Waiheke in July.

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