Nominations closed at 5:00 p.m. on Friday 19th June — 5pm Fri 19 June
Our Kaupapa
Honouring the unseen leaders who sustain our communities
He Whakataukī
He pūāwaitanga harakeke, he rito whakakīnga whāruarua.
Te pā harakeke is a natural expression of whānau and community. All of us surround and protect the rito, our tamariki, mokopuna and whare tangata, to sustain our hapū and hāpori.
This Matariki season we gather under the stars to honour the unseen leaders who sustain and strengthen Hauraki — the carers, kaimahi, kaitiaki, rangatahi and wāhine toa whose mahi often goes unspoken.
Te Pā Harakeke is a kaupapa-led celebration of kotahitanga: bringing together whānau, hapū, iwi and community to acknowledge those who uplift the wellbeing of our people.
Three Pathways
Take Part
Whether you join us in the room, elevate your whanaunga or kaimahi, or stand alongside the kaupapa as a partner — every contribution strengthens our community.
Attend
Join us at the Awards
Secure your seat for an evening of celebration, kai, kōrero and connection at Thames War Memorial Civic Centre.
Nominate
Honour someone special
Know a person, whānau or kaupapa quietly transforming Hauraki? Submit a nomination and help us shine a light on them.
Sponsor
Stand alongside the kaupapa
Partner with us in kotahitanga. Our sponsorship pathways elevate local leadership and enable lasting impact.
Seven Award Categories
The Mahi we Celebrate
Seven categories honour the many ways our people nurture and protect the pā harakeke of Hauraki — from environmental kaitiakitanga to mana wahine leadership.
Whanaungatanga, Whakamana He Tangata
Whanaungatanga and Collective Empowerment
Strengthening connection, belonging, or collective participation.
Daniel Gage Memorial Award
Te Auaha Rangatahi, Te Oranga ā Hapori — Rangatahi Community Innovator Award
Rangatahi-led initiatives improving social and economic wellbeing.
Whaitiri (Betty) Williams Memorial Award
Manaakitia Papatūānuku — Guardian of Papatūānuku
Protecting or restoring the Hauraki environment.
Te Haumaru me te Manawaroa o te Hapori
Community Safety & Resilience
Strengthening safety or resilience of Māori communities.
Whakaora Ahurea me Manawaroa Tangata Whenua
Cultural Revitalisation & Identity
Leadership revitalising Māori culture.
Liane Ngamane Memorial Award
Mana Wāhine
Wāhine Māori leadership grounded in courage and purpose.
Tāne Māori Award
Tāne Ora
This award honours leadership that is often unseen but deeply felt.
Nominations Open
Who uplifts your community?
Every community has people whose mahi often goes unseen. Te Pā Harakeke exists to lift them up. Tell us about a person, whānau, kaupapa or rōpū who we can help shine the light on.
Nurtures whānau wellbeing
Someone whose mahi quietly uplifts whānau, tamariki and rangatahi across Hauraki.
Protects and revitalises culture
A champion of reo, tikanga, mātauranga Māori — keeping our roots strong.
Strengthens the future
Someone whose contribution leaves a lasting legacy for generations to come.
Hear the Kaupapa
Sponsorship Reel
A short kōrero from us to you — the story behind Te Pā Harakeke, why it matters, and how your tautoko helps us shine the light on those who quietly hold up our communities.
Sponsorship · Kotahitanga
Sponsorship Options
Our Mauri framework recognises the unique contribution of every organisation. Each sponsorship tier is intentionally designed to align your investment with exceptional impact, high-value visibility, and meaningful engagement.
Lead Impact & Visibility
Mauri Ora
1 available
- Lead recognition and headline brand placement
- Naming rights on a flagship element of the evening
- Premium hosted table for eight with prime seating
- Speaking moment & acknowledgement from the stage
- Bespoke storytelling across event communications
Strong Alignment & Presence
Mauri Tū
3 available
- Prominent partner recognition across event collateral
- Reserved table for ten with priority seating
- Formal acknowledgement from the stage
- Logo placement on key event signage and digital assets
Sponsor an Award
Tiaki Mauri
7 available
- Named sponsor of one of the seven award categories
- Present the award alongside our kaumātua on the night
- Dedicated recognition in event programme & comms
- Reserved seating for two guests
Accessible Entry Into Support
Mana Mauri
20 available
- Acknowledged supporter on event collateral
- Listed in the programme and on the website
- Two individual tickets
- An invitation to stand alongside the kaupapa
Looking for a bespoke partnership? We welcome conversations about what alignment looks like for your organisation.
Get in touch with our team →He Mihi Nui
Ngā Kaitautoko
Ka nui te mihi ki ā mātou kaitautoko — thank you to the whānau, iwi, councils and community organisations whose tautoko makes Te Pā Harakeke possible.
Kotahitanga · Whanaungatanga · Manaakitanga · Kaitiakitanga
Share the Kaupapa
Event Poster
Help us spread the word across Hauraki — share this poster with your whānau, marae, workplace and community.
The Evening
Save the Date
Join whānau, hapū, iwi, kaimahi and community partners for kai, kōrero, performance and the formal acknowledgement of our awardees beneath the stars of Matariki.
Date
Saturday, 11 July 2026
Doors from 5:30pm
Venue
Thames War Memorial Civic Centre
Thames, Hauraki, Aotearoa
Group & Hosted Tables
Bring your whānau, rōpū or organisation
For group bookings and hosted tables, please email our team and we will confirm availability and seating.
8 guests
Premium Hosted Experience
An intimate hosted table of eight with elevated service and prime seating.
Seating
Prime reserved table of eight, closest to the stage
Inclusions
- Eight premium seats with prime sightlines to the stage
- Dedicated host looking after your table for the evening
- Shared platters and a drink of your choice on arrival
- Evening meal with beverage selection
- Personal acknowledgement from the stage
- Photography moment with our kaumātua
- Programme & event keepsake per guest
10 guests
Table for Ten
Reserve a full table for your whānau, hapū, rōpū or organisation.
Seating
Reserved table of ten in the main hall
Inclusions
- Ten seats together on a reserved table
- Shared platters on arrival
- Evening meal for all guests
- Tea, coffee and non-alcoholic beverages
- Programme per guest