He Kete Rau Mahara: Rotorua Heritage Week 2024
The fifth annual He Kete Rau Mahara | Local Heritage Week is a week-long event celebrating the rich heritage and culture of Rotorua.
The event runs from Saturday 23 November - Sunday 1 December and includes events at various Rotorua locations.
Highlights of He Kete Rau 2024
- Rotorua Heritage Day on Saturday 23 November:
- The official opening of He Kete Rau Mahara by Mayor Tania Tapsell.
- storytelling:
- Ngā Kōrero o Te Arawa: Stories of Te Arawa (Mercia-Dawn Yates)
- a vintage car display
- classic games to play
- author talks:
- Tātai kōrero - A collection of sayings from the elders of Te Arawa (Raimona Inia)
- Meeting Mr Malfroy (Philip Andrews)
- an Amazing Race
- iconic photos to be taken in the photobooth
- A week of events held in multiple locations around Rotorua:
- Government Gardens
- Māori Land Court
- Book Kimihia, Rangahaua! workshop
- St Faith's Anglican Church
- Sir Howard Morrison Centre:
- Book a free Sir Howard Morrison Centre tour:
- The Arts Village
- Whakarewarewa Village
- Ngongotahā Rail
- Rotorua Library
- and the Arts Village
He Kete Rau Mahara programme
Background of He Kete Rau Mahara
He Kete Rau Mahara is held during the week of the anniversary of the signing of the Fenton Agreement, 25 November 1880. The city-wide celebration was established by local historian, and previous Rotorua Lakes Council Research Lead & Senior Advisor, Ben Manley, in November 2020, with support from Rotorua Museum Te Whare Taonga o Te Arawa and Rotorua Library.
The library’s Heritage and Research Team took over its coordination in 2021. The COVID-19 pandemic meant the celebration went online that year, with seven online presentations, a children’s Facebook competition and children’s take-home craft activity.
In 2022 we extended the programme by inviting members of the community to host events alongside the Council. We welcomed the Rotorua and District Historical Society, the Māori Land Court, Rotorua Multicultural Council, and Rotorua Settlers and Steam Museum. Since then, individuals, organisations and community groups have collaborated to make He Kete Rau Mahara | Rotorua Heritage Week a successful event for everyone.