Ngā Honongā Tapu o Te Moana nui ō Kiwa - Sacred Connections of Oceania

This year Tangata Whenua (Iwi Māori) Takataapui Pride float has joined with Tangata Pasefika (Oceania – Peoples of Pacific nations). This is the first year we have seen this type of collaboration in the Auckland Pride Parade. As a leading float they have combined under the umbrella of Ngā Honongā Tapu o Te Moana nui ō Kiwa - Sacred Connections of Oceania.

Previously these groups worked on individual floats to promote their nations and communities. The Takataapui (Iwi Māori) community opened and welcomed this partnership, and by general consensus the Tangata Pasefika communities agreed with the decision to ‘stand as one’ in this year’s Auckland Pride Parade.

The float in this year’s parade represents lineage and sacred ancestral journeys throughout Polynesia/Oceania. They are promoters and ambassadors of their culture, traditions, beliefs and values. They revisit their indigenous rituals of yesteryear of celebration and carnival, and they intend to compliment and interweave these into this year’s Carnival Pride theme. Alongside and in support are leaders from hāhi Māori (Māori religious groups), Ratana, Ringatu and Paimarire. These Religious leaders will lead the float with incantations to create a safe passage way for the Auckland Pride Parade 2017.

The purpose of Ngā Honongā Tapu o Te Moana nui ō Kiwa - Sacred Connections of Oceania is to engage, strengthen and reconnect Māori and Pasefika communities to their identity to their Polynesian heritage. They recognise blood ties and interwoven stories of migration patterns throughout Polynesia; and also represent moana (seas) and Tangaroa (sea gods) and the many legendary stories. Their people are the vessel of our Tupuna or ancestors.

Takataapui were once rich with pride and place of ‘people of difference’. Their stories have been forgotten and will need to create new stories as a way or means to reclaim pride and place. Evolution and demands of Western life, Christianity alike are diminishing their value and place in society. They return to tradition and celebrate who we are. Strong, together with pride.

Auckland Pride Parade, Ponsonby Road, Saturday 25th February, from 7:30pm 

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