Mayors sign agreement in Ra’iātea

Published on 01 September 2025

Mayor Vince Cocurullo and other signatories to the charter at the Hevia Festival.

Whangārei has become an official member of the People of Te Moananui a Kiwa (Polynesian Triangle) following a ceremonial signing of an agreement in French Polynesia.

The Charter of Cultural Heritage, Education and Community Exchanges was signed at the UNESCO world heritage site and marae of Tapatapuātea, on the island of Ra'iātea, in the archipelago of Raromata'i (Leeward Islands), French Polynesia, on Wednesday 30 July 2025, during the Heiva, a major annual festival of culture, arts, sports, crafts and heritage.

A delegation from Whangārei had been invited to the Heiva Festival by the Ra'iātea communes of Tūmara'a, Uturoa and Taputapuātea following the signing of a Twin City agreement between the three communes of Ra'iātea and Whangārei during a ceremony at Whangārei Terenga Parāoa Marae in December 2024.

Taipari Munro, rangatira, kaumātua and cultural adviser to the Mayor and his delegation, explained some background and reported on the event.

"As this was the first formal visit to our Twin City, and was during a major cultural event, members of Waerenga Te Kaha Kapa Haka group of Whangārei and other Whangārei and TaiTokerau hapū people provided cultural support for the visit.

"The opening ceremony was held at the municipality of Tūmara'a, on the Tainu'u Marae on Sunday evening, 27 July. Mayor Cocurullo was brought formally to the marae by waka, and in the company of Tangaroa Tawio-Ngaropō of Hokianga. We sat with the other leaders who had also been brought to the marae by waka, accompanied by their people.

"There were thousands of spectators for the song and dance festival, which included performances by the cultural group of Whangārei, TaiTokerau.

"On 30 July, participants donned traditional dress. Whangārei's Te Uriroroi / Te Parawhau hapū provided the cloak named 'Te Aroha-ki- Whatitiri' for the mayor to wear as a senior leader of Whangarei District Council and its communities.

"His speech included a traditional opening and closing in the language of Ra'iātea. He spoke of the unification of the peoples of the Pacific, their common genealogy and similarity of culture and language, and being part of 'Hawaiiki Hou', the new Hawaiiki, not separated, but joined by the Great Ocean of Kiwa (Te Moananui a Kiwa).

"The charter document solemnly sealing the bonds of friendship, Polynesian connection, and support, was signed in a special ceremony held on Taputapuātea Marae, the most sacred of all marae and heiau in the Pacific. This was symbolic as Taputapuātea was the place of departure for the ancestral waka, and the people of whom eventually took up habitation at the points of the Polynesian Triangle."

Taipari said the delegation was in awe of Ra'iātea, its leaders and people.

"Their hospitality, manaakitanga, was gracious and overwhelming. All accommodation, food and travel while on the island, for a group of 35 New Zealanders was provided by them. The event showcased Whangārei and opportunities to encourage tourism here, to build and to share business ventures with the Pacific."

The Polynesian Triangle is a huge area of ocean with Hawai'i at its northern point, Aotearoa at the southern point and Rapanui (Easter Island) at the easternmost point. Multiple other Pacific islands fall within the triangle. Tahiti Nui and Ra'iātea sit at its centre.

Signatories to the charter are:

  • Hawai'i
    • Kahele Kaiali'i – Chair Office of Hawaiian Affairs
    • Randie Kamuela Fong – Cultural Director Kamehameha Schools
  • Rapanui, Easter Island
    • Rapu Lynn – Ambassador of Culture, President Foundation Ao Tupuna
    • Randle Kamu – Executive Director of Culture, Kamehmeh Schools
  • Ra'iātea
    • Thomas Moutame – Mayor of Taputapuātea
    • Matahi Brotherson – Mayor of Uturoa
    • Cyril Te Tuanui – Mayor of Tūmara'a
  • Aotearoa
    • Vince Cocurullo – Mayor of Whangārei. 
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