A year of Māori milestones at the Council

This incantation reflects a journey of perseverance of many endeavours to pursue which is that of knowledge and attainment. It highlights the highs, the lows, the peaks, and the dips, the challenges, and resolutions. It speaks to an internal strength we receive from the land. So that we may draw on this connection with the environment and non-mankind beings to guide and realise our full potential.

Formally welcoming you all to the year in review for Mataaho Aronui and the positive impacts we have experienced in championing the beauty of te ao Māori, as well as sharing this with you all.

29 April 2022, Tākai Here signing

The landmark Tākai Here partnership agreement was signed at Pipitea Marae on 29 April by leaders from Te Rūnanga o Toa Rangatira, Taranaki Whānui ki Te Upoko o Te Ika, Te Rūnanganui o Te Āti Awa, and Wellington City Council. 

5 May 2022, Tūpiki Ora Māori Strategy adopted 

Tūpiki Ora is a metaphor for the pursuit of wellbeing, and it establishes the shared commitment of Wellington City Council, Mana Whenua and Māori, to seeking new ways to support our whānau to thrive. The strategy casts its eyes to the far horizon, to ensure that the decisions made in the next ten years benefit mokopuna in generations to come. 

1 September 2022, Tūpiki Ora Action Plan adopted

The Tūpiki Ora Action Plan sets out how the Council will implement the strategy for the 2022-2027 period. The goals and actions are grouped into priorities:

• Te whakatairanga i te ao Māori – Enhancing and promoting te ao Māori
• Tiakina te taiao – Caring for our environment
• Te whakapakari pūmanawa – Building capability
• He whānau toiora – Thriving and vibrant communities

23 September 2022, Mahau app launched

The Mahau app, celebrating te reo Māori in Te Whanganui-a-Tara, was developed alongside our Mana Whenua partners, and built by Kiwa Digital. It’s a free, simple, interactive app to help residents and visitors to Wellington to get started on their reo journey. So far it has had more than 1200 downloads.

Mahau offers:

• Everyday te reo words, phrases and sentences for beginners
• Mana Whenua dialects (Ngāti Toa, Taranaki Whānui)
• Wellington destinations and place names
•  A variety of situational content for common and daily use
• Audio clips for pronunciation
• Build your pepeha & mihimihi features

September 2022, Te Hui Ahurei Reo Māori

Mana Whenua and Wellington City Council – the Arts and Events team and Te Mataaho Aronui - contracted events company Tāwhiri, to provide an exciting programme of events for Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori, September 2022. View the incredible schedule of events.

October 8 2022, First Māori Mayor elected

Tory Whanau won a hard-fought election campaign with a whopping majority. At final count, she received 34,462 votes, compared to the number two incumbent candidate Andy Foster, who received 16,711. Tory has whakapapa links to Te Āti Āwa in Taranaki and she was presented with a raukura at the inauguration ceremony at Pipitea marae.

October 8 2022, First Māori ward councillor elected

Nīkau Wi Neera was elected as our first ever councillor in Te Whanganui-a-Tara Māori ward, with a majority of 67 votes.