Matariki marae visit
Our Waikato/BoP team arranged a visit to Waipahihi Marae for Matariki, taking the opportunity to find out more about the people, culture and legends from the area around our Tauhara geothermal power station project.
Our team were keen to learn more about the culture of the Kaitiaki of the Tauhara geothermal area. The visit was organised through our iwi connector Whakaeke Ritete. Whakaeke is the Cultural Monitor for Contact Energy and sits on the Ngā Hapū o Tauhara advisory board.
We were welcomed onto the marae, then exchanged introductions in Māori and English. After a delicious meal, we were told the legends of how geothermal activity came to Taupō and what Mount Tauhara means to the people of Ngāti Tūwharetoa, followed by an amazing haka performed by two guys from the Tauhara Hapū who work with us on the Tauhara project.
It was a great cultural experience and a great way to connect with the region we’re working in.
