Manuhaea Mamaru-O’Regan performed a traditional Maori prayer, or karakia, at a national event in Wānaka. This was part of the third national Matariki ceremony, a celebration of the Maori New Year, held at Treble Cone in the Southern Alps.
Members of the Ngāi Tahu tribe were present at the event, reflecting on the revival of their traditional language and prayers. Paulette Tamati-Eliffe, the manager of the Ngāi Tahu tribal council, led the ceremonies. She said it was an honor to host the ceremony in Wānaka, a place of great importance to their ancestors.
Two young members of the tribe, Manuhaea Mamaru-O’Regan and Tumai Cassidy, also participated in the ceremony. They expressed their joy and pride in being able to share their culture with the rest of New Zealand. Cassidy highlighted the importance of reviving traditional practices that had not been practiced for generations.
Dr Hana O’Regan, a Maori language advocate, expressed her pride, especially since her daughter Manuhaea was part of the ceremony. She emphasized the importance of hearing the tribe’s dialect in the prayers.
Edward Ellison, an elder of the tribe, expressed his pride in the young people involved and praised the revitalization of the Maori language. He said that it’s amazing to see the younger generation embracing their culture and language.
