From the karanga of Hape welcoming early waka voyagers, the open invitation from Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei to William Hobson to establish the settlement of Auckland in 1840, to becoming the beating heart of contemporary Tāmaki Makaurau, the Waihorotiu valley has always been a place renowned for the extension of manaakitanga, for welcoming and extending hospitality to visitors, to guests and to ourselves.
The ancient citadels Te Ngahuwera, Te Rerengaoraiti and Te Horo Roa standing above, the bountiful Wai o Horotiu river flowing along the valley floor to meet Te Waitematā, the abundant ngahere of the valley teeming with life and song, the generations upon generations of footprints left by Mana Whenua over the millenia; all part of a native and natural landscape now lost beneath the modern City Centre’s urban form, removed from our sight.
But not from our memories. Or our future.
Tūrama is an open invitation to all of Tāmaki Makaurau to revisit and re-imagine the Waihorotiu valley. You will be welcomed and farewelled by atua, dance on the sparkling waters of Te Waitematā and Wai o Horotiu, celebrate art works by icons of Māori art and design, meet the manu of this place, and come face to face with an 8 metre high representation of resident kaitiaki Horotiu.
Start your Tūrama journey at the intersection of Queen and Shortland Streets with a uniquely designed and crafted waharoa denoting where the waters of Waitematā and Wai o Horotiu merged. Then, make your way up to Aotea Square for a stunning visual display as a taniwha appears on the Auckland Town Hall.
Prepare to be amazed at the celebration of light, form, scale and life that has been developed for Tūrama by the creative team of Angus Muir Design, Graham Tipene (Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei, Ngāti Kahu, Ngāti Hine, Ngāti Haua, Ngāti Manu) and Ataahua Papa (Ngāti Korokī Kahukura).
Te Kaunihera o Tāmaki Makaurau and Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei are proud to bring Tūrama and the Waihorotiu valley to life as part of Matariki ki te Manawa, for all of Tāmaki Makaurau to enjoy.
For the full line-up of Matariki activites and events visit our Matariki at Auckland Live page.
