Waitangi 2026 collaboration invites mokopuna and whānau to play and create

A collaboration between Ngāpuhi Iwi Social Services (NISS), Mana Mokopuna – Children’s Commissioner and community design studio ĀKAU Foundation is underway again for Waitangi 2026.

ĀKAU, NISS and Mana Mokopuna invite mokopuna and whānau to a specially designed, mokopuna-focused space at Waitangi Festival from February 4-6, designed to spark creativity and offer a place for whānau to rest, play and kōrero together.

The shared tent space, this year named Papamīharo, adjacent to Te Tou Rangatira, will offer a range of participation and engagement activities, including ĀKAU Foundation’s Papamīharo project, a fully immersive creative experience for taitamariki and their whānau.

Created for mokopuna, by mokopuna in collaboration with artists and makers, Papamīharo is grounded in the principles of taakaro (indigenous play) that nurture curiosity, movement and imagination.

Hundreds of taonga taakaro — including poi, rākau, and tama taiki — have been created by mokopuna from across Te Tai Tokerau and are woven throughout the space.

Like last year, mokopuna and their whānau will have the opportunity to meet and kōrero with NISS Chief Executive Dr Moana Eruera and Children’s Commissioner Dr Claire Achmad in the space.

Papamīharo will be complemented by space in the Waitangi Speaker Forum tent as part of the collaboration, where young people will be sharing kōrero in a slot titled Rangatahi ki te Rangatira.

Nearby, the Ngāpuhi podcast caravan will be back again this year, interviewing mokopuna to amplify their voices and perspectives.

Dr Moana Eruera says that Waitangi is a key historical foundation for Ngāpuhi mokopuna.

“NISS is proud to again work with Mana Mokopuna – Children’s Commissioner and local creatives from ĀKAU Foundation at Waitangi 2026. Together we’re creating a taitamariki space with tikanga‑based activities that help young people connect with the history and kaupapa of Waitangi. Supporting strong, safe whakapapa connected mokopuna is a priority for Ngāpuhi Iwi Social Services.”

ĀKAU Pou Kaiwhiritangata Joe Henare says they look forward to being on the whenua at Waitangi and celebrating the mokopuna of Aotearoa.

“We are excited and honoured to once again collaborate with our friends at Mana Mokopuna and Ngāpuhi Iwi Social Services. We believe in making safe spaces for all mokopuna and have created PAPAMĪHARO, an environment where fun and imagination can flourish,” he says.

"Ehara taku toa I te toa takitahi, engari taku toa, he toa takitini. Our achievements are not of the individual, but of the many.”

Children’s Commissioner Dr Claire Achmad says it’s an honour to join with ĀKAU and NISS at Waitangi again this year in a collaboration that centres mokopuna and their whānau.

“It’s a privilege to mahi tahi with Ngāpuhi Iwi Social Services and ĀKAU Foundation. Papamīharo is a space where mokopuna will experience their rights under Te Tiriti o Waitangi and the Children’s Convention in action. Together with some of my team, I’m looking forward to meeting more of the mokopuna of Te Tai Tokerau again during Waitangi week, and understanding more about their lives and hopes for our collective future.

“I’ll be listening carefully to their ideas and experiences, and I’m excited that in Papamīharo, whānau will have a space where they can spend time with their mokopuna and enjoy taonga taakaro, something so important for the development and growth of all mokopuna,” she says.

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Editor’s notes

Ngāpuhi Iwi Social Services (NISS) is one of the first established Iwi Social Service providers in Aotearoa. It has a qualified and registered workforce and over 30 years of experience in working alongside mokopuna and whānau within the Ngāpuhi rōhe. NISS has an intergenerational focus and strategy for tamariki and whānau to be safe, secure, healthy and connected to whakapapa. NISS delivers a wide range of services including youth programmes, whānau support, care and whānau ora services and is committed to strengthening Ngāpuhi whanau, hapu and communities. Ngāpuhi Iwi Social Services is a subsidiary of Te Rūnanga-Ā-Iwi-Ō-Ngāpuhi.

Mana Mokopuna – Children’s Commissioner is an Independent Crown Entity, the independent advocate for all children in Aotearoa New Zealand (under the age of 18), and children and young people under 25 who have been in, or who are in care and/or custody. The Children’s Commissioner is Dr Claire Achmad, and she is supported in her work by the team at Mana Mokopuna.

ĀKAU Foundation’s mission is to Build Creative Leaders Who Design Brighter Futures, by empowering taitamariki in Te Tai Tokerau to feel more connected and creative so they can navigate the future with confidence. ĀKAU helps taitamariki recognise and harness the creativity of their tupuna by involving them in tangible projects that have real impact for taitamariki, their whānau and their community.

Media contact for Children’s Commissioner Dr Claire Achmad:

Melissa Wastney
029 909 2715

Media contact for ĀKAU Foundation:

Ngareta Teira-Tuiloma
02102859758

Media contact for Ngāpuhi Iwi Social Services:

Nola Naera
021 883 499