Te Tohu o Te Ahuareka
Troy Packer
The original festival logo was completed by Troy Packer. The logo is based on the central upper figure that is Hineamaru. It was designed around the maihi or barge poles of the Āhuareka whare. The logo also signifies the welcoming and caring arms of the festival as well as being the koukou (owl) known in Ngāti Hine as Namatahi or Hineruru. Namatahi is recognised within Ngati Hine as both a kaitiaki (guardian) and a kaitohu (herald).
Ka kakati te namu
Raniera McGrath
"Ka Kakati Te Namu" is the theme for Te Āhuareka o Ngāti Hine 2025.
"Ka Kakati Te Namu" This saying comes from Te Tangi a Kawiti, first uttered in the days immediately after the withdrawal from Te Ruapekapeka on Jan 11, 1846.
It is said that while the defenders of Te Ruapekapeka, withdrew, were resting and convalescing at Pukepoto, a small hill in the area now known as Glenbervie,
Kawiti gathered his loyal warriors and addressed them in the dawn of the early morning.
‘Ka kakati te namu’ are but four words from Kawiti’s full address. Literally these words mean ‘The sandfly nips’.
The rest of the line is ‘i te whārangi o te pukapuka’ or at the pages of the book. The book refers to He Whakaputanga and Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
‘Hei kōnei ka tahuri atu ai’ meaning ‘At that time, you must arise and resist’.
Thus ‘Ka kakati te namu’ is a call to arms when those sacred covenants are being undermined.
The tohu for Te Āhuareka o Ngāti Hine 2025 "Ka Kakati Te Namu" is designed by taa moko artist, Raniera McGrath
