Tuatini Sinnott and her team put together the decorations at Tunohopu Marae. Photo / Supplied
Tuatini Sinnott and her team put together the decorations at Tunohopu Marae. Photo / Supplied
Perhaps the true testament to the manaakitanga shown by Te Arawa last week is that shown to the media at Tunohopu Marae.
International media and those who travelled from around New Zealand were blown away by the formal welcome they received last week, showing every guest would be treated like royalty.
Ngāti Whakaue kaumātua Wiremu Keepa said he thought the media were stunned to be included in the hospitality bestowed upon them when they were invited for a large seated hot meal with all the traditional trimmings.
"Even their coach drivers were treated with the same courtesy."
Upon arriving at Ōhinemutu the media were welcomed in a pōhiri, served morning tea and given bottles of water to take with them for the day.
They were then invited back for their hot lunch, where they were served a traditional hāngi.
The fruit and flowers prepared for the media following the royal tour. Photo / Supplied
"But that's how Māoridom exhibits manaakitanga to our guests regardless of whether they be royalty, media or bus drivers," Keepa said.
He said the wharekai was "magnificently arranged" for the occasion and a huge thanks must be extended to "their very own queen of Ōhinemutu, Tuatini Sinnott".
"Her band of extremely diligent workers who banded together bought this brilliant day to fruition."
Inside the service was second to none, the room decorated with beautiful purple silk cloths and golden decorations.
Tuatini Sinnott said the beautiful settings were from a koha from the "Soloman girls".
She said the mahi was done as a way to embrace all who came to Ōhinemutu for the royal visit.
The manaakitanga shown at Tunohopu Marae has stunned international media. Photo / Supplied
Te Tatau o Te Arawa chairman Te Taru White said the hospitality shown at Tunohopu was "our people at their best".
"That's what manaakitanga is about, it's for everybody, it's just part of who we are and I have been thrilled to hear how much it meant for the media."
Councillor Merepeka Raukawa-Tait said the pōwhiri for media and said it was a "stunning show of hospitality".
The Sun royal correspondent Emily Andrews from London said it was the first time in the whole tour the media had been welcomed especially.
"Rotorua has given us such an amazing welcome, it was so lovely to have a formal ceremony.
"To be personally welcomed and given food, which is incredibly kind and touching, has made us feel fantastic. We love Rotorua."
