Te Rā Kīngitanga Ki Kirikiriroa
Nau mai, haere mai! We welcome staff and students to this year's Kirikiriroa Kīngitanga Day celebrated at The University of Waikato happening on Thursday 17 September.
Kirikiriroa Schedule
Rāpare 17 o Hepetema 2026 | Thursday 17 September 2026
Kaikōrero Matua | Keynote Speaker
9.15am, Te Āhurutanga, Student Hub, The Pā
Ko te reo te mauri o te mana Māori
Reclaiming Mātauranga, Identity and the Future of Our People
This lecture offers a glimpse into Te Kahautu’s 30 years of research into te reo Māori, tikanga Māori, mātauranga Māori and kapa haka. It presents te reo as the root of tikanga, tikanga as the foundation of mātauranga Māori, and kapa haka as the vehicle through which this knowledge is brought to life.
More than a language, te reo is the mauri through which all people can understand the Māori worldview and deepen their appreciation of Aotearoa, the ancestral homeland Māori have shared with all who now call it home.
Through kapa haka, whakapapa, histories, values, belief systems, iwitanga and ancestral knowledge are expressed, revitalised and transmitted, connecting the living with those who have passed and carrying Māori identity, knowledge and aspirations forward for future generations.
He uri nō te Raupatu, he toa nō te Rauora!
Kapai!
Whilst being incredibly fortunate to have our keynote speaker, we also have a range of meaningful kaupapa kōrero and ngohe (presentations and activities) that are free for staff and students. Some events will require registration and may happen at the same time as others, so we recommend checking the schedule early and planning your day.
During these presentations and activities, we encourage everyone to try Taana's Mussel Fritters and Sweet As Kai food trucks which will be operating outside FG Link Building, Gate 8. We're also inviting everyone to check out our Kokonga Kēmu (Games corner) which will be running on the Mezzanine Floor out the front of Te Pua Wānanga ki te Ao Faculty of Māori and Indigenous Studies.
|
Wā | Time |
Wāhi | Location |
Kaupapa | Activity |
Kaupapa Kōrero | Synopsis |
|---|---|---|---|
|
8am |
Te Hikinga o Te Kara Raising of the Flag |
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|
8.10am |
Karakia for Te Rākau Kotahi, School of Law, Politics and Philoshophy |
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|
8.30am |
Mihi whakatau Welcoming address |
Please be seated in Te Āhurutanga, The Student Hub, by 8.25am. | |
|
9.15am |
He Puna Pūrangiaho Professorial Lecture Professor Te Kahautu Maxwell |
Ko te reo te mauri o te mana Māori - Reclaiming Mātauranga, Identity and the Future of Our People. | |
|
10am |
Paramanawa Break for morning tea |
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|
10.45am |
Session 1 |
We have an extensive range of lectures and presentations happening across S Block. |
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12pm |
Kai o te rā nui Break for lunch |
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|
1pm |
Session 2 |
S Block will hold more presentations for Session 2 - from learning about the origins of Kīngitanga Day, to a presentation from Te Rāwhitiroa Bosch centred around Māori Storytelling. There is something for everyone. |
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2.30pm |
Kua kēhi Kīngitanga Day concludes |
Ngā Kaupapa Kōrero - S Block Presentations
The Legacy of Te Puea Hērangi
Wāhi Location: S.1.01 (opens in a new tab)
Kaikōrero Presenter: Matutaera Herangi
The vision Te Puea had for her whānau and people has created a legacy that has enabled future generations to thrive hum together as one hive. Rooted in papakāinga life and sustained by whānau enterprise, descendants ōf Te Puea continue to carry out her dreams for Indigenous people here and across the globe.
Kōrero Māori i ngā wā katoa, i ngā wāhi katoa
Wāhi Location: S.1.02 (opens in a new tab)
Kaikōrero Presenter: Dr. Paora Stucki (opens in a new tab)
A move away from a grammar-based approach to indigenous language revitalisation.
Welsh history, language revitalisation and cultural resilience
Wāhi Location: S.1.03 (opens in a new tab)
Kaikōrero Presenter: Cardiff University (opens in a new tab)
As one of the University of Waikato's strategic partners, Cardiff University returns to Waikato to share their knowledge of Welsh history, language revitalisation and cultural resilience.
Tīmatangia Te Rangahau - Session 1
Wāhi Location: S.1.04 (opens in a new tab)
Kaiārahi Kaupapa Facilitator: Dr Mahonri Owen (opens in a new tab)
Kaikōrero Presenters:
- Kihi kihi (opens in a new tab)
- "Maa te Whakaaro te Reo e Whakairo, maa te Reo raanei te Whakaaro e Whakairo?" A research project within the Reo Program of Te Tohu Paetahi.
- Tui MacDonald (opens in a new tab)
- Wāhine Māori entrepreneurs and business growth in Aotearoa
- Dr Apriel Jolliffe-Simpson (opens in a new tab)
- Improving practitioner decision-making and responses to reduce crime and harm
- Michaela Anderson
- Upholding the integrity of taonga species in whānau enterprise
Kanapu CHESS
Connect, Hihiri, Exchange, Support, Sign-up!
Wāhi Location: S.1.05 (opens in a new tab)
Kaikōrero Presenter: Professor Poia Rewi & Ahere Hapi-Harrison (opens in a new tab)
The latest and greatest connection and navigation platform has just been released! Kanapu Connect aims to improve knowledge, access, and connection for users within the research, science, innovation and technology (RSIT) sector.
The platform forms part of the suite of activity aimed at increasing Māori capability, knowledge and experience in the RSIT Sector. Nau mai, whakahiko mai. All participants should bring a device - Phone, iPad, Surface Pro, laptop is best!
When Indigenous Worlds Meet
Wāhi | Location: S.1.01 (opens in a new tab)
Kaikōrero | Presenter: Montana State University (opens in a new tab)
In 2026, our first delegation of Māori cowboys and cowgirls headed across to Montana to connect with our Indigenous whānau on their own whenua. What happens when Māori and Native American whānau put their minds together? Come and find out!
Māori Storytelling He Whaturoa mō Te Ao Māori
Wāhi | Location: S.1.02 (opens in a new tab)
Kaikōrero | Presenter: Te Rawhitiroa Bosch (Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Kahu ki Whangaroa)
An important way to assert our mana motuhake is to assert our mana kōrero, our story sovereignty, our role in telling our own stories about our people, our culture, our kaupapa and our visions and aspirations for our collective future. Te Rawhitiroa will share kōrero on Story Sovereignty and the mahi they are doing growing Te Kāhui Whaturoa, a constellation of Māori storytellers and content creators to help tell our stories now and into the future.
Kīngitanga Origins
Wāhi | Location: S.1.03 (opens in a new tab)
Kaikōrero | Presenter: Whetū Taukamo
This presentation is an introduction to the Kīngitanga movement, aimed at those with little or no prior understanding. We will explore the origins of the Kīngitanga and its evolution. The presentation will highlight connections between the Kīngitanga and Te Whare Wānanga o Waikato and includes a short campus walk to some significant features. This presentation is identical to that in the Te Aurei (formerly Kanohi ki te Kanohi) Onboarding programme.
Tīmatangia Te Rangahau - Session 2
Wāhi | Location: S.1.04 (opens in a new tab)
Kaiārahi Kaupapa | Facilitator: Professor Tangiwai Rewi (opens in a new tab)
Kaikōrero | Presenters:
- Arihia Virtue (opens in a new tab)
- Ngā kakano ō Moana nui a Kiwa: A hope for equity in Education
- Seamus Hughes (opens in a new tab)
- A qualitative exploration of nurses’ views on Māori health equity
- Danielle Smith
- Re-imagining traditional housing tikanga in the twenty-first century: urban papakāinga
- Moe Edmonds (opens in a new tab)
- A critical examination of the effectiveness of Tiriti o Waitangi training in health services
Connecting Iwi, University and Students through ICT Projects
Wāhi | Location: S.1.05
Kaikōrero | Presenters: Dr Alvin Yeo & Professor Annika Hinze
Through two papers in the MinfoTech programme, students worked with iwi and community partners on real-world projects, co-designing and developing prototypes that address locally identified needs and opportunities. The resulting collaborations create shared value for iwi, students, and the University by generating meaningful community outcomes, enriching student learning, and strengthening enduring partnerships through community-engaged education.
Ngā Ngohe | Activities
Poi Making workshop
Wāhi | Location: Pā.G.30 Lecture Theatre
Kaiārahi Kaupapa | Facilitator: Te Manawanui Puke
Paehono rēhita | Link to register
Join us for a relaxed, hands-on poi making session — come craft your own set of poi. We’ll provide all the materials and guidance you need, so no experience is necessary — just bring your creativity and curiosity!
Kia mōhio mai koutou — registrations are essential and spaces are limited, so be sure to sign up early to secure your spot.
Note: Spaces are limited at 50 participants.
Fried Bread Making workshop
Wāhi | Location: Te Kohinga Mārama Marae, Gate 4
Kaiārahi Kaupapa | Facilitator: Yvonne Gage
Paehono rēhita | Link to register
Nau mai, haere mai for a hands-on Māori fried bread session where you'll learn to make this beloved Aotearoa classic while exploring its history and significance in Māori communities. A staple at marae, whānau gatherings, and celebrations, fried bread reflects the resilience, adaptability, and manaakitanga of Māori through shared kai.
Kia mōhio mai koutou — registrations are essential and spaces are limited, so be sure to sign up early to secure your spot.
Note: Spaces are limited at 20 participants.
Mahi Māreikura tours
Wāhi | Location: Level 2, Te Manawa, Student Centre
Kaiārahi Kaupapa | Facilitator: Hawea Apiata
As a part of our acknowledgement of Kīngitanga Day in the Library, we are offering some guided tours through our special collections, including our taonga Māori collection - Mahi Māreikura. The Mahi Māreikura archive holds the collections of three esteemed Māori scholars - Dr Pei Te Hurinui Jones, Professor Bruce Biggs, and Dr Maharaia Winiata.
Registrations aren't essential. Meeting point is outside the Level 2 entrance to Te Manawa.
Te Piringa Tours
Wāhi | Location: Te Piringa, Faculty of Law, N Block
Kaiārahi Kaupapa | Facilitators: Te Whakahiapo, Waikato Māori Law Students' Association
Come and learn some of the cultural history of Te Piringa, Faculty of Law with Te Whakahiapo.
Taonga Puoro workshop
Wāhi | Location: Te Āhurutanga, Student Hub, The Pā
Kaiārahi Kaupapa | Facilitator: Temepara Smith
Experience taonga puoro through unique sounds, traditions, and stories, celebrating their cultural significance and Kīngitanga Day at the University. This is a great opportunity to learn more about the ancient art of taonga puoro.
Poi Making workshop
Wāhi | Location: Pā.G.30 Lecture Theatre
Kaiārahi Kaupapa | Facilitator: Te Manawanui Puke
Paehono rēhita | Link to register
Join us for a relaxed, hands-on poi making session — come craft your own set of poi. We’ll provide all the materials and guidance you need, so no experience is necessary — just bring your creativity and curiosity!
Kia mōhio mai koutou — registrations are essential and spaces are limited, so be sure to sign up early to secure your spot.
Note: Spaces are limited at 50 participants.
Te Piringa Tours
Wāhi | Location: Te Piringa, Faculty of Law, N Block
Kaiārahi Kaupapa | Facilitators: Te Whakahiapo, Waikato Māori Law Students' Association
Come and learn some of the cultural history of Te Piringa, Faculty of Law with Te Whakahiapo. No registrations required.
Taonga Puoro workshop
Wāhi | Location: Te Āhurutanga, Student Hub, The Pā
Kaiārahi Kaupapa | Facilitator: Temepara Smith
Experience taonga puoro through unique sounds, traditions, and stories, celebrating their cultural significance and Kīngitanga Day at the University. This is a great opportunity to learn more about the ancient art of taonga puoro.
Kīngitanga Day Volunteers
Our kaitūao/volunteers are the heartbeat of Kīngitanga Day - helping everything run smoothly and efficiently all day long!
The Volunteers Form for 2026 has now closed. Please watch this space for when the call goes out again.