Dawn blessing for Te Mātāwai

Te Mātāwai will provide much needed central city housing for a diverse mix of people including some homes to support people from the rough sleeping community.

As iwi ahi-kā for Tāmaki, Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei led formal protocols, and with the support and mana of their kaumatua present, blessed the new buildings with karakia.

The three residential buildings have received gifted names from Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei and will be known as Waitapu, Waiora and Wainui. The buildings have been named after natural states of water which are elevated and do not sit within a hierarchy of importance or value. These names acknowledge Waihorotiu, the stream which runs close to the site.

The blessing concluded in the main lobby with Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei performing waiata and a powerful haka.

Customers are expected to begin moving in soon, with an event also planned in August to celebrate the completion of Te Mātāwai.

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