Celebrating Vairakau Maori

Teariki Pureau (pictured), Iriea Tangapiri and Puna Kamoe from the Ministry of Agriculture portrayed the making of “vairakau ati” and “maoro akairi kumu” at the official opening of the 2022 Te Maeva Nui and float parade yesterday.

The demonstration of the ingredients and medicine was keeping to Tauranga Vananga Ministry of Cultural Development’s theme of “Te au Vairakau Tupuna o toku Matakeinanga/Enua or the Traditional Medicine of my Community/Island”.

Twenty-six floats were pre-judged in the morning before travelling to the Constitution Park where their performances were judged. The results will be announced next Friday evening.

Tonight, the highly anticipated International Night will be held at the National Auditorium starting at 7pm. It will feature the Filipino Community, Te Pa o Rākaihautū Kapa Haka from Aotearoa, Niue Community, Tuhorangi Ngati Wahiao Kapa Haka from Aotearoa, Samoa Community, Tonga Community, Kiribati Community, Rakaumanga School Kapa Haka from Aotearoa, Indonesia Community and the Fiji Community.