Wāhine in the Limelight at Waitangi
Three Te Ope Whakaora wāhine took centre stage at the official Waitangi Day commemoration services this year after being called onto the mahau (verandah) of Te Whare Rūnanga meeting house to lead the congregation in waiata (song) and himene (hymns). Tracey Cooper reports.
Kiriana Hakopa (Kirikiriroa [Hamilton] Corps), Terena Goodwin (Manurewa Corps) and Te Reikura Tamanui (Kirikiriroa Corps) were invited by the Anglican Bishop of Te Tai Tokerau (and Rūnanga co-chair), the Right Reverend Te Kitohi Pikaahu—Bishop Kito—onto the mahau, where they sang beautifully and became a central part of the service’s televised livestream.
Around 50 other Salvation Army whānau, along with hundreds of others in the congregation, joined them in singing ‘Te Miharo’ and ‘Ngā Whakamoemiti’ in support of the official roles played by Territorial Commander Commissioner Janine Donaldson and Chief Secretary Colonel Jennifer Groves.
Leaders at Waitangi
During the two official commemoration services (at 5am and 9am on 6 February) Janine delivered a reading from Isaiah 2:2–4, ‘A Promise of Triumph’, while Jennifer —attending her first Waitangi Day commemorations after more than a decade serving overseas—led the congregation in prayer.
Jennifer says it was a wonderful opportunity and a great experience to be at Waitangi. ‘It has been amazing,’ she says. ‘Just to see the unity amongst people and the desire to be together to celebrate and to recognise what today actually means to this nation. I’m just feeling incredibly blessed to be with people who are like‑minded and who want to honour what has gone before.’
Equally, Janine says she relishes the time she spends at Waitangi. ‘We connect with each other face to face,’ she says. ‘There’s something about the land, the way it steadies you, the way it reminds you that others stood here long before. And there’s something about us as a people shaped by the water that surrounds these islands. You feel it as soon as you arrive at Waitangi.’
On her second visit to Waitangi, the day carried a deeper pull. ‘What really stood out to me this year was hearing again how closely the Church was involved in those early Treaty discussions. Before 1840, missionaries were already living among Māori, speaking te reo, translating ideas, helping to bridge two worlds. Their role was complicated, but they were there at the beginning, when the first conversations about partnership and protection were taking shape. Hearing that history acknowledged so plainly gave the moment unexpected force. It brought the past closer.’
Gathering of whānau and friends
Dozens of Salvation Army officers, soldiers, adherents and kaimahi (workers)—and their whānau—travelled from Taranaki, Kirikiriroa Hamilton, Booth College of Mission in Upper Hutt, Territorial Headquarters in Wellington and other locations to attend the commemorations marking 186 years since the signing of the Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
Whānau either camped at the Waitangi Holiday Park or found other accommodation in nearby Paihia, Haruru Falls or Kerikeri. At the camping ground, tamariki (children) played, whānau prayed, and the central tent area became a hub for gathering, talking, eating or simply resting, with kaumātua (elder) Wayne Moses leading several Bible discussions and karakia (prayer).
On Wednesday, many of our whānau had the exciting opportunity to try their hand at paddling a waka. After a few introductory lessons on land, they successfully hit the water, with the waka gliding through the harbour effortlessly. It was a first‑time experience for many and one that will remain in their memories for a long time.
The following day, Bishop Kito led whānau onto Te Tii Marae for a pōwhiri (welcome), where The Salvation Army was joined by other church groups and a rōpū of tauira (students) from Anglican Māori Boys’ School Te Aute College, who
also sang beautifully during the official services.
The pōwhiri was followed by a hāngī at the marae and the opportunity to mingle with other church groups in attendance and catch up with old friends.
Commitment to Waitangi
The next morning brought an especially early start, with whānau needing to be in place at Te Whare Rūnanga in time for the 5am dawn service, followed by only a short break before the 9am service. However, it was important for The Salvation Army to maintain its commitment to Waitangi, Jennifer says. ‘Because I think it shows that we want to be one with the people and we want to be part
of a genuine occasion of bringing the nation together.’
Janine agrees it’s crucial for the Church to continue in its role, remain engaged with Waitangi and set an example for others.
‘I can’t think who said it—and I’ve said it too—but wouldn’t it be great if the Church, if The Salvation Army, if people, could be seen as a way forward for nations facing cultural challenges,’ she says. ‘Wouldn’t it be great if people could actually look to Aotearoa New Zealand and say, “Look at them”?’
It would!
