MEDIA RELEASE - 7 October 2012

Kiingi Koroki Anniversary Commemorated with River Journey

Kiingi Tuheitia will commemorate the anniversary of his grandfather’s koroneihana (coronation) with a journey down Waikato River by waka taua from Ngaaruawaahia to Waahi marae at Huntly tomorrow (8 October 2012).

Kiingi Koroki, the fifth Maaori king, was crowned on 8 October 1933. The annual Waahi marae poukai is traditionally held on this date. This year Kiingi Tuheitia will herald the poukai with the river journey, an event that is also aimed at acknowledging the tribe’s cultural and spiritual connection to its tupuna awa - Waikato River.
This acknowledgment is being made in the wake of issues surrounding the unresolved rights and interests of Maaori to freshwater and the Government’s proposal to sell state-owned assets which utilise water as a primary resource.

Kiingi Tuheitia will be accompanied on the journey by tribal leaders from throughout the Tainui region as well as Maaori leaders playing a key role in progressing freshwater rights at the national level. Discussion at the poukai at Waahi marae is expected to include the freshwater rights issue, as a follow-on to the recent national hui held at Tuurangawaewae marae.

The waka taua will launch from Tuurangawaewae marae at Ngaaruawaahia, halting at The Point where Kiingi Tuheitia will board. The waka taua will also halt at Taupiri, alongside the tribe’s ancestral burial grounds, for karakia (prayer) services before travelling on to Huntly. Three waka taua – Tahere Tikitiki, Tumanko and Taatahiora – and a fleet of support craft will make up the river procession.

River journey details:
5.30am Waka taua launch from Tuurangawaewae marae, Ngaaruawaahia
5.45am Waka taua arrive at The Point. Karakia. Kiingi Tuheitia boards.
6.00am Waka taua depart.
7.00am Waka taua arrive at Taupiri Mountain. Karakia.
7.30am Waka taua proceed to Huntly.
8.30am Waka taua arrive at Waahi marae, Huntly.
10.00am Poukai commences.

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