www.wakamaori.co.nz OCTOBER 6-23, 2011 AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND

Waka Maori is a series of events being held in a unique purpose-built 70 metre long venue that follows the form of a waka. It will be a stunning architectural addition to the colour and vitality of the Rugby World Cup 2011.

The programme of activity includes formal

dinners seating up to 210, staging for

concerts and performance events, and a

Maori business showcase. It also includes

an artisan village to display Maori arts such

as weaving, carving and ta moko, and

contemporary arts such as clothing design.

There are two streams of activity at Waka Maori.

The first stream is a formal programme. This includes

opportunities for building business connections, concerts,

dinners and five performances each day.

The second stream is a planned series of ‘street’ events around the

waka where people will be able to so such things as meet former All

Blacks and Maori All Blacks, engage in story telling, participate in

learning waiata and learn to use poi.

The informal programme also includes the Maori Club Rooms where

visitors will be able to watch games on big screens and enjoy true

Maori hosting and entertainment.

Waka Maori will be held at Te Wero Island on

Auckland’s waterfront near Viaduct Harbour

from 6 October to 23 October 2011.

Waka Maori is the place where the guitars

will come out and people will take away the

experience of having fun and being warmly

welcomed into a group of people who are proud

to show their culture and what it is to be Maori

in the 21st century.

The waka is designed to be disassembled at the end of the Rugby

World Cup and used as a venue for other events both within New

Zealand and offshore. It fits into two shipping containers and is also

modular in design so it can be made smaller if required.

The waka pavilion will be constructed of New Zealand-made glue-

laminated timber with a cover of architectural tension membrane –

the same material being used on the Cloud building on Auckland’s

waterfront. It will have air-conditioning and heating, staging, lighting

and sound, and catering facilities.

m a n y p e o p l e a s o n eWAKA

www.wakamaori.co.nz OCTOBER 6-23, 2011 AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND 1

Waka Maori

Activity Te Waka Pavilion

Experience Programme

Meet former All Blacks

The Waka design

Looking towards Te Wero Island

THE OPENING CEREMONY

Waka Manu – our opening ceremony - is filled with colour, music and dance. It’s a mix of traditional and contemporary from the

time the first visitors are welcomed to Waka Maori, and the last visitors leave late in the evening. The key event for Waka Manu is an

inspiring showcase of Maori business, sport, arts and culture with key Maori, business and community leaders over a five-course

fine dining menu designed by a world-renowned Maori chef.

The entire programme for Waka Manu will be culturally authentic as well as creative and contemporary, and gives a taste of what will

be on show at Waka Maori throughout the Rugby World Cup.

LIVE PERFORMANCES

Every day begins with a powhiri in its traditional glory – a ceremony to touch at the heart of every visitor.

All are welcome to participate, and afterwards encouraged to engage with the hosts and talk about what they’ve seen, see how the

powhiri fits within wider ceremony on marae, and they are sure to be moved by this experience. Whaikorero, or waiata, visitors can

listen, learn and participate as much as they like.

Throughout each day there will be at last five live performances ranging from impromptu street theatre and kapahaka through

to evening concerts with nationally-recognised bands. There’s an exciting line up of artists guaranteed to appeal to international

visitors as well as those from closer to home.

ARTISANS VILLAGE

Here at the Artisans Village visitors will watch experts in their craft showcase their unique talents. Ta moko or Maori tattooists, flax

weavers, wood carvers, artists and fashion designers will all be sharing their skills and talents and love for Maori art in and around

four magnificent whare. Quality art works and branded merchandise will be for sale.

A CELEBRATION OF MAORI RUGBY

Maori and rugby are synonomous and few rugby fans will be unaware of the great Maori rugby players who’ve represented this

country over many, many years. The Maori Rugby Club at Waka Maori recreates the atmosphere of New Zealand rugby clubs and is

a great place to enjoy watching games live on the big screen. The highlight for international visitors is the opportunity to meet and

chat with Maori rugby players they may have watched at games in their own country. Old rugby playing friends will gather here to

catch up and hold reunions. Here’s the die-hard rugby fan’s golden opportunity to rub shoulders with Maori rugby’s elite.

PROMOTING MAORI BUSINESS

Maori are smart business operators involved in exciting and innovative activities around the world. Our Waka Umanga programme

stages events in conjunction with the nearby Cloud venue to leverage opportunities for business visitors in New Zealand to link up

with those movers and shakers in Maori business.

Key sectors will be showcased – fishing, tourism, creative arts and entertainment – under the umbrella of Te Puni Kokiri,

the Ministry of Maori Development.

Waka Maori is comprised of five components staged in and around the purpose-built waka-like pavilion

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www.wakamaori.co.nz OCTOBER 6-23, 2011 AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND2

Waka Maori is underpinned by some important values.

MANAAKI or HOSPITALITY

It is culturally important the tribal group whose home is traditionally in a specific area provides a welcome for guests to that area.

Each day elders of Ngati Whatua will welcome visitors to Waka Maori in a traditional ceremony called a powhiri. Ngati Whatua has

also been responsible for the stunning teko teko or carvings that stand at the four corners of Eden Park.

DISTINCTIVENESS

Waka Maori will show how Auckland is a vibrant, proud and confidently diverse global destination.

The city is the demographic ‘cultural capital’ of the South Pacific and Waka Maori will be alive with the Pacific feel.

WHANAU

Waka Maori invites visitors to Auckland to experience Maori

people, beyond the haka. Maori are multi-faceted: pioneering,

edgy, innovative, friendly, spiritual, and culturally strong. Our suite

of programmes will bring all these exciting aspects of being Maori

to the hearts and minds of our manuhiri or visitors.

LEGACY

Waka Maori is designed to have a useful life long after the Rugby

World Cup. There are organisations booking Waka Maori for

future use. Costs are available on request.

AUTHENTICITY

Maori culture (traditions, language, contemporary life) is shared

with visitors through formal interactions, for example, powhiri,

staged traditional and contemporary dance and art performances.

Equally important are informal exchanges that could be as simple

as a casual chat with security and staff.

www.wakamaori.co.nz OCTOBER 6-23, 2011 AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND 3

You find us here!

Find us at Te Wero Island, Viaduct Harbour, Auckland, New Zealand

from October 6 to October 23, 2011.

www.wakamaori.co.nz OCTOBER 6-23, 2011 AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND

m a n y p e o p l e a s o n eWAKA

For updates and more information on WAKA MAORI,

please refer to the contact details below.

info@wakamaori.co.nz

www.wakamaori.co.nz

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Carved Gate at Te Wero IslandAerial view of Te Wero Island