2022 is the 182nd commemoration of the signing of Te Tiriti o Waitangi (the Treaty of Waitangi) between Māori rangatira (chiefs) and the British Crown.
This year the Vector Lights for Waitangi Day show tells the story of the festival’s iwi manaaki (host iwi), Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei, and their migration to Tāmaki Makaurau – a stunning light show representing the unique Ngāti Whātua gold.
The lightshow portrays the pepeha (tribal lineage) origins of the iwi, who travelled from the islands in a waka hourua (double hulled canoe) and made landfall in Aotearoa. Watch the Ngati Whatua Orakei Pepeha video here.
Vector Lights for Waitangi Day 2022 audio narrative translated into English
What was the wind that was roaring and rumbling?
It was a northerly wind that exposed the nautilus shell.
And in my dreams, I saw that I would fetch the wind from the North to support my people of the Waitematā.
The black hawk of my ancestors soars upon the domain of the Wind God, Tāwhirimātea.
The dawn’s divine rays of colour cast their glow upon my ancestral vessel, Māhuhu-ki-te-rangi.
I reflect upon and recall the bountiful lands where the vessel bow has rested.
The glistening waters of the Waitematā crash upon the shores where the bountiful riches of Tangaroa are displayed.
There stands Tāmaki in all its greatness where the fish are so succulent, its bones and skin are an equal appetizer.
My gaze turns to the carved terraces of Titahi there at the pinnacle of my sacred mountain Maungakiekie.
The renown bastion of my ancestor Tuperiri.
The sacred black hawk turns toward the remnants of our great families Te Taoū, Te Uringutu and Ngā Oho.
I return to my sanctuary of Ōrākei where my ancestral houses Te Puru o Tāmaki and Tumutumuwhenua stand.
We, the descendants of Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei who will never surrender or be cast asunder.
This is the manifestation of my ancestral dreams and desires.
The haven of their many descendants.
Here we stand the chips of the totara tree of former days.
Basking in the glory of those who have gone before us.
Ripened like the berries of the Kawariki tree.
What you need to know:
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The show will play from Wednesday 2 February to Monday 7, 9pm until midnight.
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The show runs for 5 minutes and repeats every half hour (the last show is at midnight)
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Listen to the synched audio track at vector.co.nz/lights
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Share your experience on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter with #vectorlights
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COVID-19: Auckland is currently at RED. Remember to maintain a 1m-distance and wear a face mask.
Vector Lights is part of a smart energy partnership between Vector,Auckland Council and Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency, the guiding light toward a smart energy future. For more information, and to listen to the soundtrack, visit vector.co.nz/lights