Governor-General tour rolls through Whangārei

The Governor-General Dame Cindy Kiro on the waka tētē Whakaruru Te Hau, which is being directed by Kaihautū [captain] Joelene Busby, in Whangārei. Photo: RNZ/ Peter de Graaf

It has been a day of firsts for Governor-General Dame Cindy Kiro.

The first wahine Māori and first Northlander appointed to the nation's top ceremonial role, Dame Cindy is for the first time taking an official tour of the region she calls home.

The Governor-General's husband, Dr Richard Davies, accepts the challenge. Photo: RNZ/ Peter de Graaf

Wednesday was also her first time paddling a waka, and her first time as both captain and bailer-in-chief.

Whangārei-born Dame Cindy has spent the past two days in the northern city, visiting marae, arts and cultural institutions, even joining a community singalong at Pehiāweri Marae on Tuesday evening.

Wednesday's itinerary included a trip by waka on Whangārei's Hātea River, accompanied by her husband Dr Richard Davies and young paddlers from around Te Tai Tokerau [Northland].

Governor-General Dame Cindy Kiro (centre), having swapped formal attire for something more functional, and husband Dr Richard Davies about to begin their waka experience. Photo: RNZ/ Peter de Graaf

At one point more than 100 students from the kura [school] Te Kāpehu Whetū performed a rousing haka from the riverbank as the waka passed by.

Students from Te Kāpehu Whetū perform a haka for the Governor-General's waka. Photo: RNZ/ Peter de Graaf

Photo: RNZ/ Peter de Graaf

Dame Cindy said it had been "an amazing experience" and kaihautū [waka captain] Joelene Busby was a role model for other wahine Māori, in the way she led efforts to pass on knowledge to a new generation of paddlers.

The Governor-General said it was her first Northland tour since being appointed in 2021.

"It's an amazing opportunity to come home and make contact with people who I've known in previous lives… but also, importantly, to meet with people doing grass-roots work in their communities. It's wonderful to be back," she said.

The Governor-General's husband Dr Richard Davies also fulfilled his duties with the bailer. Photo: RNZ/ Peter de Graaf

Busby said Dame Cindy was given an opportunity to captain the waka Whakaruru Te Hau and lead the chants keeping the paddlers in time.

During the trip to the landmark Te Matau ā Pohe bridge and back, she was also introduced to each of the young paddlers, and in turn she told them where she was from.

"It was awesome to have that whakawhānaungatanga [getting to know each other] on our waka," Busby said.

Dame Cindy Kiro embraces kaihautū [captain] Joelene Busby after the waka trip. Photo: RNZ/ Peter de Graaf

Many of the young paddlers, like Destiny Waru-Morgan from Whangape, had never heard of the Governor-General until a few weeks ago.

"It was mean taking her out. She was pretty awesome," she said.

Waru-Morgan said she had taken up paddling a year ago to better connect to the moana, and for the chance to have a "waka whānau".

Nikora Kiwikiwi, from Kaitāia, said Dame Cindy was easily the most famous person he'd ever met.

"And she did an excellent job captaining the waka. Nice, strong, loud voice," he said.

Destiny Waru-Morgan, one of the paddlers, from Whangape in the far North. Photo: RNZ/ Peter de Graaf

Piri Eriksen, from Hokianga, said it was an honour to paddle with Dame Cindy.

"It was cool watching her have a go at being a captain. She was amazing for her first time. She also had a go at bailing," he said.

On Thursday Dame Cindy will visit a peruperu packhouse and an iwi-led community housing development in Kaikohe, as well as joining a centenary celebration at the Whangaroa RSA in Kāeo.

On Friday she will wrap up her tour with a pōhiri [formal welcome] at Te Ahu centre in Kaitāia, followed by visits to a foodbank and a mental health hub.

Her Te Tai Tokerau tour started on Tuesday with a pōhiri at Terenga Paraoa Marae and visits to the Hundertwasser Art Centre and Wairau Māori Art Gallery, plus Hihiaua Cultural Centre, all in Whangārei.

Dame Cindy (Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Kahu, Ngāti Hine) is the third person of Māori descent to hold the office, after Sir Paul Reeves and Sir Jerry Mateparae, but the first Māori woman.

Her previous roles include serving as chief executive of the Royal Society Te Apārangi, Children's Commissioner, head of the School of Public Health at Massey University, head of Te Kura Māori at Victoria University of Wellington, and pro-vice chancellor Māori of the University of Auckland.

She originally trained as a social worker, later gaining qualifications in epidemiology and business administration, among others.