Year 12 student Olivia Shore went on a haerenga to Northland where she had many amazing experiences.

Earlier this term, Year 12 student Olivia Shore had an opportunity to go on a haerenga to Northland where she had many enriching and amazing experiences. Here, she shares some reflections about her journey.

The haerenga

At the start of the year, Matua Chadwick sent an email out to students of the school who were connected to the Northland iwis about an opportunity to go on a haerenga. We talked about it as a family and decided that it would be an awesome opportunity for me to learn more about my whakapapa and explore my culture.

On the trip, there were seven girls ranging in age from 16 to 23 from all around the South Island, along with three wahine leaders and guides. We arrived in Opononi, Hokianga late on a Wednesday night, and the next day we did a guided tour through Manea and the footprints of Kupe. We then travelled to Peria, in Kaitaia on Friday via Tane Mahuta, where we stayed on a marae for three nights. We also travelled to Cape Reinga and walked to the lighthouse, and also went to Matai Bay and stayed in a house owned by the family of one of the wahine and guides on the trip.
The following week, we travelled to Kerikeri, and visited the treaty grounds for a few hours and looked through the markets and the set up for the following day. On February 6 on Waitangi Day, we woke at 2:30am to get ready to leave for the dawn service where we witnessed a spectacular sunrise. We spent the day from 4:30am to 6pm at the treaty grounds and the following day, we spent our last full day relaxing and exploring Kerikeri.

Being at Waitangi on Waitangi Day

Being at Waitangi for Waitangi Day was an absolutely incredible experience, and it was amazing to see so many people of Māori descent and everyone who came and participated in Waitangi. Because of the current political situation, there were more people at the treaty grounds than ever before, with numbers estimated at around 90,000 people. Members of northern iwi and important Māori figures participated in a two-week-long hikoi from the top of the North Island to Waitangi. We got to join in towards the end and march onto the treaty grounds with our flags. Seeing the speeches of some of the leaders was emotional and inspiring, and we also got to watch the waka arrive on shore and perform the haka. I was not expecting so many people to be at the treaty grounds and seeing everybody stand together and echo the same call, ‘Toitū te Tiriti’ was truly inspiring.

Highlights and insights

The highlights of the haerenga for me were being at Waitangi on Waitangi day, the connections and people I met on my journey, and travelling to Cape Reinga, the site of departure for Māori spirits and the most spiritual place in Aotearoa New Zealand. During the journey, I learned about the proper customs for staying on a marae and participating in a pōwhiri. I also learned about Māori mythology and past legends, and I was told stories about my iwi and the people of Te Tai Tokerau. I also enjoyed learning more about my whakapapa and whānau with the help of Kaumatua and Whaea.

Looking ahead

The haerenga was an amazing opportunity that taught me so much, and a trip I will remember forever. I look forward to further learning about my whakapapa and continuing to expand my knowledge.Photos supplied by Olivia Shore