Kaikohe streets to host community hīkoi

A community hīkoi from Northland College to Papa Hawaiki multisport complex celebrating Te Wiki o te Reo Māori will see rolling road closures will be in place in Kaikohe over one hour from 10am Wednesday.

The hīkoi will begin at Northland College and travel along Mangakāhia Road, turn onto Broadway and then down Raihara Street to finish at Papa Hawaiki multisport complex on Recreation Road.

The road closures will move with the hīkoi, with roads temporarily closed to traffic as participants pass through an area. Roads will reopen once the hīkoi has moved on. Motorists may experience short delays while the event is underway.

Police will assist with traffic management and road closures to help keep hīkoi participants and road users safe.

Organisers expect between 1500 and 2000 people to take part in Te Reo o te Kāinga, Hore he Painga, which will bring the community together to celebrate, kōrero and stand proudly for te reo Māori. The event will also feature a te reo Māori rugby game and 1000 free hāngī for the community.

Motorists travelling through Kaikohe between 10am and 11am are asked to allow extra time for their journey and to be patient while the hīkoi is underway. Because the closures will be rolling, disruption will be minimal.

The council thanks residents, businesses and road users for their understanding and support of this community celebration.

See the below for further details from Te Reo o te Kāinga, Hore he Painga hīkoi organisers.