A marae is a place that embodies Māori culture and for new migrants in Tauranga a special pōwhiri hosted just for them was a chance to experience just that.
For the second year local iwi authority Te Rūnanga o Ngai Te Rangi and its leaders hosted the formal marae welcome ceremony and a lunchtime feast for around 300 migrants and their families at Whareroa marae.
The Pacific Island group at Whareroa Photo: Justine Murray
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"A pōwhiri is the ultimate expression of manaakitanga towards new immigrants to New Zealand"
-Race Relations Commissioner Meng Foon
Prathima Rao is the secretary of the community organisation Multi-Cultural Tauranga which comes under the umbrella of the Multi-Cultural Association - she moved here 20 years ago. The powhiri was also a chance for her to reflect on what her sense of belonging is after becoming a recent NZ citizen.
"It's not something we really think of, you can love two countries. We feel welcomed by everyone."
-Prathima Rao
Beverley Vokia-Scarlett at the marae Photo: Justine Murray
Multi-Cultural Tauranga was established 30 years ago and in the early years it ran annual festivals. As more migrants move to the Bay of Plenty the organisation focused on services to help new migrants settle in.
Esther Martin in Tauranga Photo: Justine Murray
According to the last census there are eighteen thousand pacific islanders that reside in the Bay of Plenty. Esther Martin, CEO of The Pacific Island Community Trust Bay of Plenty attended the powhiri too. She says part of theTrust's work is to connect migrants with the health services.
“We heavily support our season workers that come through and work out in the orchards. There’s a huge Pasifika community or Kiribati mainly in Te Puke. (We support) their health needs, social needs, pretty much anything" she says.
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