“If you don’t have a good navigator or someone steering your waka – you’ll crash into the rocks.”
At a time when local government is navigating significant change, Te Hoe Wairua carries a fitting message about leadership, direction and moving together.
The approximately two-metre-long hoe was formally welcomed to Ngāmotu at a pōwhiri at Muru Raupatu Marae on Monday 7 September.
There, mana whenua, supported by New Plymouth District Council, received the Mauri from Wellington City Council and took on the role of kaitiaki for its time in Taranaki.
For Anaru, Strategic Advisor Māori at New Plymouth District Council, the occasion represented more than the transfer of a taonga. He described Te Hoe Wairua as having been reawakened – ready to once again help guide the sector through the challenges ahead.
History of the mauri
Te Hoe Wairua was created for Te Waka Āwhina, a kaupapa established to connect and support Māori working in local government.
Carved by Phillip Nuku (Te Ātiawa, Ngāti Toarangatira) and Te Wheke Society at Maraeroa Marae in Waitangirua, Porirua East, the hoe was presented to Te Waka Āwhina at Takapūwāhia in April 1994. Its surface whakairo is known as Niho Kuri.
The whakaaro was that Te Hoe Wairua would travel from rohe to rohe, passed to the next host of the hui as a tangible recognition that the kaunihera of that rohe had received the tono to bring people together again.
But with in-person events interrupted by COVID-19 the tradition and the handing over of the mauri was paused and for the past few years, the Mauri has been cared for by Wellington City Council.
Anton O’Carroll (Te Āti Awa, Ngā Ruahinerangi me Ngāti Ruanui), Pou Tikanga at Wellington City Council, alongside council colleagues and whānau from Hāwera travelled with the Mauri to Ngāmotu.
The pōwhiri at Muru Raupatu Marae formally transferred kaitiakitanga to Te Ātiawa, who cared for Te Hoe Wairua and ensured it was present throughout Te Hui Taituarā.
Navigating the waters ahead
The symbolism of Te Hoe Wairua was particularly relevant to the conversations taking place at Te Hui Taituarā.
Local government is facing significant change, and the people working within it will play an important role in helping their organisations and communities navigate what comes next.
Speaking to local government leaders at the PwC Leaders Forum ahead of the conference, Mereana Beconcini picked up that same whakaaro.
“You are the navigators and leaders holding the hoe and steering your councils’ waka into the future through these choppy waters and steering into a brighter future.”
For Taituarā, the reawakening of Te Hoe Wairua also has a deeper significance.
At the end of 2025, we released our Te Tiriti o Waitangi Positioning Statement and made a commitment to give effect to Te Tiriti o Waitangi in all that we do.
That commitment is about more than words. It is about how we work, the relationships we build, the kaupapa we support and how we authentically uplift te reo Māori, tikanga and mātauranga Māori through our mahi.
Te Hoe Wairua gives tangible expression to that journey. As a taonga, it holds the mauri of the kaupapa and represents the energy and intention behind where we are heading, while also connecting us with the people and kaupapa that have helped shape Māori participation and leadership within local government over many years.
That connection has deep roots. By 2018, Te Waka Āwhina was formally carried within Te Pae Urungi as a means of empowering and supporting Māori working in local government – a kaupapa that continues within Taituarā today.
Having Te Hoe Wairua present at Te Hui Taituarā was a reminder of the responsibility that comes with the direction we have chosen, to keep building our capability, strengthening our relationships and ensuring our commitment to giving effect to Te Tiriti is reflected in what we do.
The journey continues
With Te Hui Taituarā now concluded, Te Hoe Wairua remains in Ngāmotu under the custodianship of Te Kotahitanga o Te Ātiawa and will be housed at Ngāmotu House.
Te Ātiawa will care for the mauri until the time comes for it to travel again – when Te Hoe Wairua is transferred to the host rohe for Te Hui Taituarā 2027)
And as local government navigates the waters ahead, Te Hoe Wairua reminds us of the importance of knowing where we are heading, who is helping steer the waka, and of moving forward together.
