2026
Papamīharo
A place for whānau to rest, play, kōrero, and make memories together during Waitangi week, 2026.
Papamīharo is made for mokopuna, by mokopuna from across Te Taitokerau, with the support of ĀKAU Foundation and in collaboration with artists, practitioners, and partners.
Grounded in the principles of taakaro (Indigenous play), Papamīharo is deeply connected to te taiao and mara hupara — nature-based play spaces that nurture curiosity, movement, and imagination. This kaupapa offers a place for whānau to rest, play, kōrero, and make memories together during Waitangi week.
Papamīharo is a fully immersive experience where mokopuna can see reflections of themselves — their ideas, their energy, their creativity. Hundreds of taonga taakaro — including poi, rākau, and tama taiki — have been created by mokopuna from across Te Taitokerau and are woven throughout the space.
Papamīharo will be installed at Te Tii Marae during the Waitangi Day Festival, from 4–8 February 2026.
Grounded in the principles of taakaro (Indigenous play), Papamīharo is deeply connected to te taiao and mara hupara — nature-based play spaces that nurture curiosity, movement, and imagination. This kaupapa offers a place for whānau to rest, play, kōrero, and make memories together during Waitangi week.
Papamīharo is a fully immersive experience where mokopuna can see reflections of themselves — their ideas, their energy, their creativity. Hundreds of taonga taakaro — including poi, rākau, and tama taiki — have been created by mokopuna from across Te Taitokerau and are woven throughout the space.
Papamīharo will be installed at Te Tii Marae during the Waitangi Day Festival, from 4–8 February 2026.
What’s On — Papamīharo Activations
Hālau Wa‘a — Live Construction
28–30 January 2026
In the lead-up to the opening of Papamīharo, Mama Tee Henderson from indi-geniUS MIND(s) will be creating a Hālau Wa‘a — a traditional Hawaiian long house (hālau) built for the care and maintenance of outrigger canoes (wa‘a).
Constructed from rākau and paracord, the Hālau Wa‘a will become a major component of the Papamīharo space.
The Hālau Wa‘a will house a mōkihi, created by Hihiaua Cultural Centre. A mōkihi (also known as mogi or moki) is a traditional, lightweight raft used by early Māori to travel across freshwater waterways throughout Aotearoa.
This mōkihi was created as part of Te Rōpū Ruru Mōgi ki Hihiaua in April 2025. Manuhiri are welcome to observe the process as this space takes form.
28–30 January 2026
In the lead-up to the opening of Papamīharo, Mama Tee Henderson from indi-geniUS MIND(s) will be creating a Hālau Wa‘a — a traditional Hawaiian long house (hālau) built for the care and maintenance of outrigger canoes (wa‘a).
Constructed from rākau and paracord, the Hālau Wa‘a will become a major component of the Papamīharo space.
The Hālau Wa‘a will house a mōkihi, created by Hihiaua Cultural Centre. A mōkihi (also known as mogi or moki) is a traditional, lightweight raft used by early Māori to travel across freshwater waterways throughout Aotearoa.
This mōkihi was created as part of Te Rōpū Ruru Mōgi ki Hihiaua in April 2025. Manuhiri are welcome to observe the process as this space takes form.
Opening of Papamīharo!
4 February 2026
Join us to mark the opening of Papamīharo with a day of activity, creativity, and celebration.
Highlights:
10:00am – Kōhanga Reo from Te Taitokerau open the space.
12:00pm – Ngāpuhi artist Wayne Youle works with mokopuna to create elements for the space, come along and add your mark to the Papamīharo kaupapa.
Throughout the day – Taakaro activations with Tatuu Roa and Wiremu Sarich, weaving play, movement, and imagination through the space.
Whānau and mokopuna are welcome to come and go, taking part at their own pace.
4 February 2026
Join us to mark the opening of Papamīharo with a day of activity, creativity, and celebration.
Highlights:
10:00am – Kōhanga Reo from Te Taitokerau open the space.
12:00pm – Ngāpuhi artist Wayne Youle works with mokopuna to create elements for the space, come along and add your mark to the Papamīharo kaupapa.
Throughout the day – Taakaro activations with Tatuu Roa and Wiremu Sarich, weaving play, movement, and imagination through the space.
Whānau and mokopuna are welcome to come and go, taking part at their own pace.
Mana Mokopuna & Ngāpuhi Iwi Social Services
Thursday 5 & Friday 6 February 2026
Mana Mokopuna – Children's Commissioner and Ngāpuhi Iwi Social Services bring fun activities to Papamīharo for mokopuna and whānau across both days.
Activities include:
Creative workshops!
Digital scavenger hunts!
Kēmu!
Kōrero!
Panel discussions for mokopuna!
The Children’s Commissioner will be present at Papamīharo on these days and welcomes kōrero with mokopuna and whānau — an opportunity to share whakaaro, experiences, and aspirations.
Thursday 5 & Friday 6 February 2026
Mana Mokopuna – Children's Commissioner and Ngāpuhi Iwi Social Services bring fun activities to Papamīharo for mokopuna and whānau across both days.
Activities include:
Creative workshops!
Digital scavenger hunts!
Kēmu!
Kōrero!
Panel discussions for mokopuna!
The Children’s Commissioner will be present at Papamīharo on these days and welcomes kōrero with mokopuna and whānau — an opportunity to share whakaaro, experiences, and aspirations.
Ngā mihi
We acknowledge the mokopuna, whānau, kaiako, artists, practitioners, organisations, and partners who have contributed their time, whakaaro, pūkenga, and aroha to this kaupapa.
Ara Whakamaua Kaikohe — twelve mokopuna in alternative education and their supporting kaiako — whose involvement formed part of ĀKAU’s OHU KŌKIRI initiative. Ara Whakamaua mokopuna influenced decision-making and creative processes throughout Papamīharo.
We acknowledge the support and funding of Creative New Zealand, SkyCity Trust, Next Gen, and our long-term partner Foundation North.
Papamīharo is a multi-generational kaupapa, strengthened by partnerships with Mana Mokopuna – Children's Commissioner, Tatuu Roa (Wiremu Sarich & Anna Tripp), Ngāpuhi Iwi Social Services, and Te Taitokerau Maternity.
We acknowledge the creative contributions of artists Mama Tee Henderson and Wayne Youle, alongside our extended creative team from Wairau Māori Art Gallery, Whenua Warrior and Alicia Courtney.
We honour mana whenua and our ongoing collaboration with Te Tii Marae.
Ngā Kura
Hiwa-i-te-rangi, Northland College Teen Parent Unit
Kaikohe West School
Ohaeawai Primary School
Te Kura Kaupapa Maori O Kaikohe
Rawene Primary School
Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Hokianga
Kaikohe Intermediate School
Te Kura Taumata o Panguru
Waima Primary School
Ara Whakamaua Kaikohe
Ngā Kohanga Reo
Te Puna Reo o Manga Tangaroa
Nga Toa Iwi Whenua Kohanga Reo
Te Kohanga Reo o Kaikohe
Te Kohanga Reo o Taurangi
Te Kohanga Reo o Te Kotahitanga
Te Kohanga Reo o Okaihau
Te Kohanga Reo o Te Ariki
Ngā Kaihoahoa
Tatuu Roa (Wiremu Sarich & Anna Tripp)
Wayne Youle
Indi-genius Minds (Mama Tee Henderson)
Alicia Courtney
Wairau Māori Art Gallery (Larissa Macmillan and Geva Ngāpō Downey)
Taioro Studios (Te Aroha & Reo Dunn)
Kura Aho (Kaikohe)
Johnny Pedro
Ngā Kaitautoko
Te Tou Rangatira Pou
Ministry of Education
Foundation North
Te Tii Marae, Waitangi
Ara Whakamaua Kaikohe — twelve mokopuna in alternative education and their supporting kaiako — whose involvement formed part of ĀKAU’s OHU KŌKIRI initiative. Ara Whakamaua mokopuna influenced decision-making and creative processes throughout Papamīharo.
We acknowledge the support and funding of Creative New Zealand, SkyCity Trust, Next Gen, and our long-term partner Foundation North.
Papamīharo is a multi-generational kaupapa, strengthened by partnerships with Mana Mokopuna – Children's Commissioner, Tatuu Roa (Wiremu Sarich & Anna Tripp), Ngāpuhi Iwi Social Services, and Te Taitokerau Maternity.
We acknowledge the creative contributions of artists Mama Tee Henderson and Wayne Youle, alongside our extended creative team from Wairau Māori Art Gallery, Whenua Warrior and Alicia Courtney.
We honour mana whenua and our ongoing collaboration with Te Tii Marae.
Ngā Kura
Hiwa-i-te-rangi, Northland College Teen Parent Unit
Kaikohe West School
Ohaeawai Primary School
Te Kura Kaupapa Maori O Kaikohe
Rawene Primary School
Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Hokianga
Kaikohe Intermediate School
Te Kura Taumata o Panguru
Waima Primary School
Ara Whakamaua Kaikohe
Ngā Kohanga Reo
Te Puna Reo o Manga Tangaroa
Nga Toa Iwi Whenua Kohanga Reo
Te Kohanga Reo o Kaikohe
Te Kohanga Reo o Taurangi
Te Kohanga Reo o Te Kotahitanga
Te Kohanga Reo o Okaihau
Te Kohanga Reo o Te Ariki
Ngā Kaihoahoa
Tatuu Roa (Wiremu Sarich & Anna Tripp)
Wayne Youle
Indi-genius Minds (Mama Tee Henderson)
Alicia Courtney
Wairau Māori Art Gallery (Larissa Macmillan and Geva Ngāpō Downey)
Taioro Studios (Te Aroha & Reo Dunn)
Kura Aho (Kaikohe)
Johnny Pedro
Ngā Kaitautoko
Te Tou Rangatira Pou
Ministry of Education
Foundation North
Te Tii Marae, Waitangi