LABOUR WEEKEND | 24-26 OCTOBER | WAIRAU
Established in 2009, Te Tapuwaetahi o Rangitāne is a three-day festival celebrating all things Rangitāne.
Previously known as the Rangitāne Ahurei, the name of the event was changed to Te Tapuwaetahi o Rangitāne in recognition of the whakatauki
“Tapuwae tahi o Rangitāne-nui-a-rangi”
which speaks of the single footprint of great Rangitāne of the heavens.
After more than a decade, Wairau is proud to once again welcome the wider Rangitāne whānau from
Tamaki-nui-ā-Rua, Wairarapa, and Manawatū.
The festival has long been a space for our people to reconnect, share stories,
strengthen whakapapa, and celebrate the richness of Rangitānetanga.
Over the weekend, the four iwi will compete against each other in a variety of activities.
On Saturday night the Rangitāne Tū Mai Rā Awards Dinner will be held at the Marlborough Events Centre.
Te Hītori o Rangitāne o Wairau Hīkoi – Sunday’s hīkoi will visit sites such as Pokapoka, Wairau Bar and Pouwhenua around the rohe.
Sunday evening – Housie & Quiz night at Ūkaipō and Tamariki & Rangatahi Movie Night at Events Cinemas Blenheim.
Registrations are now open and will close on Saturday, 20 September 2025.
Your registration includes: Saturday Hākinakina; Tū Mai Rā Awards Dinner;
Te Hītori o Rangitāne o Wairau Hīkoi; Housie & Quiz Night; Tamariki & Rangatahi Movie Night.
You can also pre-order your merchandise at our Shopify store.
All merchandise must be ordered by Friday 15 August.
Please note we can not accept late merchandise orders.
Merchandise will be packaged as whānau, or individual orders and will be available for collection
after registering at Ūkaipō on Friday afternoon (4pm 24 October).
If you are not attending Te Tapuwaetahi o Rangitāne at Labour Weekend you can still purchase merchandise,
however, these orders will be shipped one week following the event. We appreciate your patience.
Join us for an evening of recognition, connection, and celebration as we honour the outstanding contributions within our iwi.
Please note the venue has limited capacity, so we encourage prompt registration to avoid missing out.
EVENING SCHEDULE:
6:00pm – Doors Open
Throughout the Evening – Dinner, awards ceremony
8:30pm – This part of the evening is reserved for Pakeke (18+).
We kindly ask tamariki and rangatahi (17 & under) to wrap up their night.
Parents and caregivers, please ensure your tamariki get home safely and are appropriately supervised if you plan to stay on.
11:00pm – Ka Mutu te pō
TŪ MAI RĀ AWARDS:
If you would like to nominate a Rangitāne iwi member for a Tū Mai Rā Award, the available categories are:
Rangitāne Leadership Award
Outstanding Rangitāne Business
Rangitāne Contribution to the Arts
Rangitāne Rangatahi Leadership Award
Contribution to Māori Education
Rangitāne Sports Excellence and Achievements
Services and Contributions to Rangitāne Iwi – Te Kaihāpai-o-Iwi
Award nominations must be submitted by 20 September 2025
Stay tuned for the full programme in August. For now, here’s a sneak peek of what’s in store.
FRIDAY 24 OCTOBER
12:00pm – Pōwhiri at Omaka Marae
4:00pm – Registrations & Merchandise at Ūkaipō
6:00pm – Kai mō te pō & Whakawhanaungatanga
SATURDAY 25 OCTOBER
8:30am – Hākinakina at Marlborough Boys’ College & St Mary’s School
(categories & grades to be confirmed)
6:00pm – Rangitāne Tū Mai Rā Awards Dinner at Marlborough Events Centre
SUNDAY 26 OCTOBER
9:00am – Te Hītori o Rangitāne o Wairau Hīkoi
Afternoon – Wānanga, Whakapapa and Evaluations at Ūkaipō
5:00pm – Poroporoaki
6:00pm – Housie & Quiz Night at Ūkaipō
Tamariki & Rangatahi Movie Night at Event Cinemas Blenheim
WAIRAU
Taylah Leger-MacDonald
Event Manager
Email taylah.leger-macdonald@rangitane.org.nz
Deedee Wickens
Event Coordinator – Logistics
Email events@rangitane.org.nz
TAMAKI-NUI-A-RUA
Ataneta Paewai
Cultural Advisor
Email ataneta.p@xtra.co.nz
WAIRARAPA
Raumahora Waata
Pou Ahurei Matua
Email raumahora@rangitane.iwi.nz
MANAWATŪ
Chris Whaiapu
Email chris.whaiapu@slingshot.co.nz
WHĀNAU VOLUNTEERS
We’re looking for helping hands from our Rangitāne o Wairau whānau to support with a few roles over the weekend.
If you’re keen to be part of the manaaki team, just fill out the form—we’d love to have you on board
TRAVEL & ACCOMMODATION ASSISTANCE
Please note that travel and accommodation support will not be provided for Rangitāne o Wairau whānau attending the event.