More than 500 whānau descended on Kawerau Town Hall on Friday to celebrate one of the district’s most valued treasures: its kaumātua.

The inaugural Kaumātua Whakanui festival brought elders and their whānau from across the Bay of Plenty together for a day that radiated mana, pride, and intergenerational connection.

Hosted by Tūwharetoa ki Kawerau Hauora, the event opened with a powerful haka pōwhiri performed by tamariki from Kawerau South School, followed by a warm mihi from Mayor Faylene Tunui.

Mrs Tunui acknowledged the kaupapa as a fitting tribute to the community’s elders, describing them as the true heart of Kawerau.

Six kaumātua kapa haka groups took to the stage including Army of Aunties from Tauranga, Tūhoe Hauora, Kōwhai Kaumātua Roopu from Ōpōtiki, Te Tohu o te Ora o Ngāti Awa, Ngāti Awa Taikura and local roopu, Te Tā Hiwi o Rehua (The Ridgeline of Eldership) from Kawerau, whose powerful performance carried the theme, Whakamomori – raising awareness of suicide prevention and mental health.

Through waiata such as Purea Nei and Poi Atua, the group delivered a heartfelt message of hope and healing that moved many in the audience.

Te Tā Hiwi o Rehua’s performance was made possible through Tūwharetoa ki Kawerau Hauora's Kaumātua Programme, a two-day per week initiative now engaging over 70 kaumātua across the district.

The programme combines waiata, wellbeing checks with nurses, and a range of clinical and social support services grounded in kaupapa Māori methodology.

The Kaumātua Whakanui festival provided the perfect platform for participants to showcase what they've been practising and building together.

Beyond the performances, the festival created a vibrant community hub.

Hauora stalls, kai vendors, and a dedicated wellbeing zone gave whānau space to connect and support one another.

The digital reach extended the celebration further still, with Tūwharetoa ki Kawerau Hauora's Facebook coverage reaching over 314,000 views and nearly 10,000 interactions in the week following the event.

The festival has strengthened whanaungatanga across the rohe and reinforced Kawerau’s reputation as a thriving hub of Tūwharetoa culture and community spirit.