Te Ao Māori News

Parliament suspended as Māori MPs perform haka joined by public gallery. #teaomāori #aotearoa #treatyprinciplesbill #hīkoimōtetiriti #haka

🤩🤩🤩 GOOSEBUMPS!! In a special moment witnessed by thousands in Whakatū / Nelson's Trafalgar Centre, the room erupted into waiata to close out the beginning of the national secondary schools kapa haka competition. #māori #teaomāori #aotearoa #kapahaka

Nga Wai Hono I Te Po Paki has succeeded her father Tuheitia Paki as the head of the Kiingitanga. The decision, affirmed by iwi leaders, makes Ngawai Hono I Te Po the eighth in an unbroken line of succession, stretching back to Waikato chief Pootatau Te Wherowhero, who was crowned the first Māori King in 1858. As the youngest of Kiingi Tuheitia’s three children, Nga Wai has bypassed both of her older siblings to become the head of the kiingitanga, though the successor does not necessarily have to be one of his children. Nga Wai has been constantly seen by the late Māori king’s side at events in recent years such as Koroneihana and Hui-aa-motu. The revelation of Nga Wai acceding the throne came this morning during rā nehu - the burial day of Kiingi Tuheitia - ending years of speculation over who would succeed him. In recent years, her main responsibility has been the oversight and maintenance of the Kiingitanga collection, which contains more than 3000 taonga. She is also well versed in Te Ao Haka, first attending Te Matatini at age three and performing for the first time 13 years later. She has also served as a member of the Waitangi National Trust board since 2020. #teaomāori #aotearoa #kiingitanga #ngawaihonoitepo

Pro MMA fighter Te Hakaraia o Te Rangi Wilson passed away on Tuesday at the age of 26. He maimai aroha ki a koe Hakaraia 🖤

In a powerful debut at Rhythm & Vines 2024, the modern reggae band Corrella made a lasting impression, including November’s globally viral parliamentary haka led by MP Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke, in their New Years Eve performance. The young Hauraki-Waikato MP told Te Ao Māori News how honoured she is for the acknowledgement from the band. “Really really humbled... it almost feels surreal hearing your voice, because I’ll never have the voice to be a singer but nevertheless thank you Corrella after a challenging year for many.” #aotearoa #teaomāori #rythmandvine #hanarawhitimaipiclarke

Tohunga toi Fred Graham (Ngāti Korokī Kahukura), who was previously awarded Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the 2018 New Year’s Honours and the New Zealand 1990 Commemoration Medal, has now been appointed Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit. He is one of 35 Māori who made the New Year’s Honours list 2025. #aotearoa #teaomāori #art #contemporaryart

The 2025 New Year’s Honours list has been announced, celebrating the achievements and service of individuals who have made a meaningful impact in their communities. Among the 190 recipients across Aotearoa, 35 are Māori. Here is the 2025 New Year’s Honours list featuring the Māori recipients. #aotearoa #teaomāori #tereomāori #newyearshonours #māori

This year has been packed with incredible moments, though not all of them took place here in Aotearoa. Some of the most memorable stories of 2024 came from Māori whānau making waves across the globe. If you’re spending the holiday season at home,Te Ao Māori News is bringing the world to you, showcasing the accomplishments of our people around the world. #aotearoa #teaomāori #tereomāori #māorikiteao

“Nā koutou i tangi, nā tātou katoa.” When you cry, your tears are shed by us all. As 2024 comes to a close, many of us will reflect on the memories we share with those who are no longer with us. Te Ao Māori News is also taking a moment to honour and remember the people we’ve lost this year. #aotearoa #teaomāori #tereomāori

The manu - a classic summer pastime and Kiwi way of life - is making a splash across the motu this year, with thousands of keen bombers taking to the water in this year’s Z Manu World Champs. The first competitors from Te Waipounamu took the plunge last week at the inaugural Nelson Manu Champs. “Nelson did the South Island proud - the atmosphere was fantastic,” says event organiser Scott Rice. Kingston Preston Walker claimed the Youth Manu Male division title and earned bragging rights among his friends. “We just go to the pool every day and manu,” says the Nelson Boys College student, attributing his win to plenty of practice and a bit of luck. “When I surface and the water splashes back on my head, that’s when I know I’ve nailed it.” Manu enthusiast Hads Te Huia says the artform is more than just a splash - it holds cultural and spiritual significance, as water is a source of life. “Being Māori, our ancestors have always been in tune with our taiao,” “[The water] can be very tapu place but if you respect it, it’ll take care of you.” #teaomāori #aotearoa #manu #zmanuworldchamps #manuworldchamps

The sunny skies of Christmas Day have been darkened for Boxing Day as the east coast of Te Ika-a-Māui comes under an orange heavy rain warning. MetService has issued Orange Heavy Rain Warnings for Te Tairāwhiti and northern parts of Te Matau-a-Māui, with significant rainfall expected over the next 24 to 28 hours. Tairāwhiti/Gisborne Period: 6am Thursday, 26 December – 6am Friday, 27 December (24 hours) Forecast: Heavy rain from the east to northeast will set in this morning, shifting to a southerly direction later in the day. Rainfall totals are forecast to reach 100 to 120mm, with higher amounts possible in isolated areas. Peak rainfall rates of 15 to 25mm per hour are expected from this afternoon, with thunderstorms possible. Northern Hawke’s Bay (including areas north of Ahuriri/Napier) Period: 9am Thursday, 26 December – 1pm Friday, 27 December (28 hours) Forecast: Rainfall totals are predicted to reach 110 to 130mm, particularly in the ranges. Peak rates of 10 to 20mm per hour are expected, with heavy rain likely to continue in the Wairoa District into Saturday. MetService notes: There is minimal likelihood of upgrading these to Red Warnings. A 12-hour strong wind watch will also be in force from 1pm Friday December 27. #teaomāori #aotearoa #tetairāwhiti #tematauamāui #nzweather

Meri Kirihimete ki ngā iwi me ngā hapū katoa ❤️💚