Our 2023 Theme
Te ariaa matua moo 2023
Our Festival theme
Each year we choose a theme to shape a narrative that unites us around a common focus.
This year, our theme has been gifted by Ngaati Te Ata Waiohua, our Iwi Host.
Each year we choose a theme to shape a narrative that unites us around a common focus.
This year, our theme has been gifted by Ngaati Te Ata Waiohua, our Iwi Host.
Unifying
Regenerative
Life-giving
How can we act in that way too?
United in our whakapapa
Our climate response is strengthened through owning our collective legacy.
For the sake of our tiipuna, we must respond to the charge of being good ancestors, mindful of the ancestors who have paved the way for us.
By acknowledging Wai as our ancestor, we recognise we are connected to each other, place and nature.
Sustained by the live-giving nature of Wai
Wai is both life-giving and life-producing, sustaining individuals, communities and humanity.
Our relationship with Wai is an intimate one. In understanding how it sustains us, we shoulder the responsibility of sustaining it, and Papatuuaanuku, too.
Ko wai taatou | We are water.
Respecting Wai as precious and regenerative
Circular by nature and generous by design, Wai is the exemplar for regeneration.
Wai is a precious taonga. In honour of our relationship to it, and to Papatuuaanuku, we are called to tiakitanga (invited responsibility to be good stewards).
We need to respect and understand the magnitude of the power this tipua has, embracing the principles of kaitiakitanga to become better earth stewards.
Aotearoa is not separated by land, but connected by water.
From our 2023 Iwi Host
Ngaati Te Ata Waiohua are water people. Throughout our entire history we have been surrounded and sustained by the most abundant waterways. To tell our history without Wai would be to not tell our history at all.
Ngaati Te Ata is part of the historical nation of Waiohua. The name Waiohua is shortened from ngaa Wai o Huakaiwaka - the waters of Huakaiwaka (our eponymous ancestor). This year's theme was given by us to firstly recognise the importance of Wai but to also acknowldege this ancestor and the rangatiratanga he had in Taamaki in his time.
Our future is shared
Climate change requires us all to be more connected. Wai is a great entry point for us to do this.
How can we place Wai at the centre of our climate response?
Handing it over to you
We want everyone that attends an event to understand that they are ancestors.
Use what’s in your heart and hands and let this guide how you shape your event.
