Visit from the Ministry of Social Development

Last week, our marae was visited by the Ministry of Social Development here at Nga Whare Waatea. We were joined by Chief Executive Debbie Power, Deputy Chief Executive Marama Edwards, Regional Commissioner Julia (Jules) Lynch, and Manager of Client Service Operations and Marae Co-location, Haupai Montgomery.

It was a sunny day on site as we checked out the different departments and met with all the kaimahi working hard to deliver our many services and support to our community. Te mīharo e te whānau!

Visit from the Indian Retail Business Community

This morning, MUMA had the honour of welcoming leaders and representatives from the Auckland Indian Retail Business community to Waatea. The gathering aimed to discuss solutions and perspectives on crime and offences targeting local businesses. The event commenced with a pōhiri, followed by a hui where ideas were shared on how community providers and leaders can address these concerns to support our whānau and reduce crime in our hāpori.

After the hui, our manuhiri were given a tour of the marae and introduced to the various resources and services MUMA provides to whānau in Tāmaki. Meaningful kōrero was exchanged, and the rest of the evening was spent acknowledging the mahi each rōpu contributes to their local communities.

He mea mīharo te kite i nga rōpu o te hāpori e mahitahi ana mo te painga o te katoa. Na tō raurau, nā tōku raurau ka ora ai te iwi. E mihi ana ki a koutou!

Waatea School Matariki Celebration

Ko Matariki ahunga nui! Waatea School had a fantastic day in the wharekai celebrating Matariki with our tamariki and whānau! The kids played a big role in this year's celebration, being the chefs behind the savouries, sushi bites, crumble desserts, and fairy bread snacks on the table! And, of course, a big thank you to the whānau who came to support and enjoy the hākari with us today and to the kaiako and kura staff who put the whole event together!

Definitely, a mīharo way to cap off the week before the Matariki public holiday tomorrow. Kia pai nga hararei, ā, whakanuia hoki i a Matariki e te iwi!

Welcoming Our New Team Members

He kaupapa whakahirahira e haere ake nei i tēneu ata!

Our marae was honoured to officially welcome our new staff members and their ope tautoko as part of the MUMA team during this morning's pōhiri. We were overjoyed to see so many whānau members who came to support their loved ones, which made the whole kaupapa that much better. Nau mai ki te whānau o MUMA!

First Nations rōpu from Canada

Waatea Marae was honoured to welcome a First Nations rōpu from Canada onto the pae today. The manuhiri and our whānau here at Waatea exchanged waiata, koha and a quick kōrero over a kai iti in the Radio Station as we shared stories of our communities and experiences as indigenous peoples.

The pōhiri was rich in culture and allowed a space for two peoples from different whenua to unite as one, in which we all recognised and acknowledged the similar battles we face as native people. Like many brave Māori relearning their Reo in Aotearoa, members of the First Nations group here today also see the importance of reclaiming their reo and tribal languages.

What a fantastic experience for our kaimahi and Waatea School tamariki, one which we will never forget.

He ahi e kore e mātao!

Kapa Haka Regionals Taamaki Makaurau

Nei raa te whakamaanawa atu ki ngaa kapa katoa i tuu i te papatuuwaewae i ngaa raa kua pahure. Anei a maatou kaimahi, whaanau o Ngaa Whare Waatea Marae. Naa maatou te maringanui i too koutou tuu.

Anoo hoki ki Te Poho o Hinekahukura e kawea nei i too taatou marae.

Big mihi to all the Kapa Haka roopu that performed in the weekend, whether it be competitive or supportive what an amazing regionals Taamaki Makaurau.

A special mihi to our staff who stood for their respective roopu, and an even bigger mihi to our Rangatahi who performed aswell. Kei runga noa atu koutou.

TE ARA WHAKAPAKARI - Rangatahi Careers Day

TE ARA WHAKAPAKARI - Rangatahi Careers Day.

The free event saw many rangatahi engage with and explore different career pathways in Te Ao Māori and hosted multiple guest speakers who inspired the crowd through their journeys and experiences.

Our wonderful staff from Radio Waatea had a blast at their booth, meeting some keen youths and having a yarn with some LIVE on air. What a great day for whānau and the community to connect and network with potential workspaces and opportunities.