Wairoa Hōpūpū Hōnengenenge Mātangirau

Our awa, Wairoa Hōpūpū Hōnengenenge Mātangirau is affectionately known as “the long, bubbling, swirling, uneven waters” and connects our maunga, to the wai Māori of Whakakī-Nui-A-Rua and feeds the chain of coastal lagoons that sustain our whānau, hapū, and marae. It carries the mauri of our tupuna, our wai Māori, our whenua and taiao and the stories of our tīpuna. For generations, whānau and hapū have gathered kai, practiced kaitiakitanga, and upheld tikanga along its riverbanks. Today, we continue to honour the awa as a living ancestor, protecting it so its life force will endure for our mokopuna.