Iwi and Hapū Prepare for Busy Holiday Period on Ancestral Lands

Iwi and hapū across the motu are preparing for an influx of whānau returning home for Christmas and New Year, with many marae hosting hui, tangihanga, reunions and kaupapa cultural events.

Marae committees say the return of whānau highlights the ongoing importance of marae as centres of tikanga, language and intergenerational connection, but also places strain on volunteers and limited resources.

Several iwi have reminded visitors to respect tikanga, local tikanga-based protocols, and environmental responsibilities-particularly in coastal and wāhi tapu areas.

Despite the pressures, kaumātua say the return home is vital. “This is how we keep our people connected to who they are and where they come from.”

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