Tāmaki Makaurau will come to life this weekend when one of its premier festivals returns to celebrate the region’s rich Māori history and culture. The Tāmaki Herenga Waka Festival is a free, whānau-friendly event taking place on 23 January on Captain Cook Wharf and on the water.

Now into its fifth year, the festival is one of the region’s most popular summertime events.

It will showcase Māori heritage and culture of Tāmaki Makaurau with waka sailings, kapa haka, Māori kai, arts and crafts, games, storytelling, and live entertainment from some of the country’s best talent.

The festival is delivered by Auckland Unlimited, the region’s cultural and economic agency, on behalf of Auckland Council, in partnership with Ngā Mana Whenua o Tāmaki Makaurau that represent the 19 iwis of Tāmaki Makaurau.

Richard Clarke, Head of Major Events at Auckland Unlimited, says the festival is a great way for people to discover more about how Māori heritage and culture has shaped the region. The festival runs from 10am-10pm with a laser and fireworks display wrapping up the event.

Here are five ways you can enjoy the festival.

Live entertainment

If you want to see talented Māori performers, songwriters and musicians live on stage, then the festival is the place to be. Do not miss multi-award-winning singer-songwriter Maisey Rika and Seth Haapu, one of New Zealand’s most prolific songwriters. And Aotearoa’s legendary Trinity Roots will treat the crowd with a selection of their well-loved and cherished songs.

Waka Hourua sailings

Waka is widely regarded among iwi as a cultural icon, capturing voyaging heritage and the birth of Māori culture in New Zealand. Festivalgoers will be able to experience this with a waka sailing on the beautiful Waitematā Harbour. Waka tickets will be available for purchase on the day.

Kai

Kai is an important part of Māori culture and plenty will be on offer to tempt your tastebuds. From gelato, pineapple and water ice cream to Chars Kai Basket offering mussel fritters, whitebait fritters, Taniwha burgers, boil up and gourmet fry bread with a pesto topping. Or sample mouth-watering meat grilled and smoked over native manuka and kanuka wood at the Smokers & Grillers food truck. And if you have enough room, hāngi will be on offer thanks to Mama’s Hāngi.

Graffiti art

Another new feature of the festival this year is a live graf art installation. Watch as a blank 50 metre canvas is slowly transformed throughout the day into a work of graffiti art by four local graf artists, Bobby Hung, Kairau ‘Haser’ Bradley, Monty Collins, and Romana Tarau.

Traditional treatments

Learn more about Rongoā (traditional Māori medicine) a system of healing comprising diverse practices and an emphasis on the spiritual dimension of health. It includes herbal medicine made from plants, physical techniques like mirimiri (massage), and spiritual healing.

For updates on Tāmaki Herenga Waka Festival check out aucklandnz.com/tamakifest -TIN Bureau