Hokianga welcome for Japanese rugby team

On Sunday 18th September coach John Kirwan and his 50 strong Japanese rugby team will visit the Hokianga on the west coast of Northland to pay tribute to the Hokianga Harbour and our most famous living icon Tane Mahuta. You are invited to attend this welcome ceremony. Please be on site to set up prior to the arrival of the Japanese team.

JK and his team are due to arrive at the Copthorne Hotel and Resort in Omapere at 5.30pm for a welcome ceremony and gift presentation on the lawn overlooking the Hokianga Harbour, the cradle of Maori and European development in New Zealand. The full name of the Harbour is Te Hokianga-nui-a-Kupe "the place of Kupe's great return". According to Te Tai Tokerau tradition, Kupe, the legendary Polynesian navigator and explorer, settled in Hokianga in approximately 925 AD, after his journey of discovery from Hawaiiki aboard the waka Matahorua. When he left Hokianga Kupe declared that this would be the place of his return and left several things behind including the bailer of his canoe.

Sunday’s ceremony will reveal a unique surprise utilising the natural assets of the Harbour and executed especially for the visiting Japanese team. The team will then mix and mingle with the local community, dignitaries and visiting media before enjoying freshly caught crayfish and Paua in the restaurant of the Copthorne Hotel.

At 6.30pm media are invited to join the Japanese team who will leave by coach for the Waipoua Forest accompanied by local Moari guides from internationally renowned tourism company Footprints Waipoua. The Japanese team will be introduced to our living legend Tane Mahuta with a series of waiata - a spine-tingling and spiritual experience in the darkness of the forest.

A strong bond has developed between the Japanese people and Waipoua Forest when the world’s first Family of Ancient Trees agreement was signed in April 2009. This Union brought together Jomon Sugi, a giant cedar on Yakushima Island off the coast of Japan and Waipoua Forest’s giant kauri Tane Mahuta. The family tree project is a living example of kaitiakitanga, or guardianship of the environment.

Tourism New Zealand Japan has been promoting the Northland region and more specifically the Waipoua Forest as a place to learn about the history, culture, and unique flora and fauna of New Zealand. It is a great honour for the people of Hokianga and Northland to be able to welcome the Japanese rugby team in this way.