Te Ao Māori

With tensions rising between the new government and tangata whenua, Wayne and his traffic-management crew brace for the biggest Waitangi Day celebration in Aotearoa New Zealand's history. Video

As political tensions simmer, the young crew of Kia Tupato is dispatched to Waitangi. Wayne beams with pride over his team, while Anahera highlights the enormity of the task ahead. Video

With the Kia Tupato crew now settled in at Waitangi, they dive into their traffic plans. We explore key locations, and Bubs gets her first taste of the challenges Waitangi Day will bring. Video

With Waitangi Day approaching, the first major hīkoi catches Ruku and the Kia Tupato crew by surprise. Meanwhile, Anahera navigates the crowds to deliver refreshments to her team. Video

As the sun rises over Waitangi, thousands flood in, defying government rhetoric. They are met by Anahera and the Kia Tupato crew, who have closed all roads leading to the Treaty grounds. Video

The Northland hīkoi arrives by the hundreds, moving through roadblocks, chanting for the government to uphold Te Tiriti. Ems balances her past as a protester with her duty on the Kia Tupato team. Video

As the day's heat intensifies, the friction threatening to ignite Waitangi Day begins to wane. Still faced with managing thousands, Wayne dons his work shorts to ease the crew's pressure. Video

The crew share their final thoughts. Two months later, we visit Wayne & Anahera at home. Wayne discusses balancing Māori values with running a business. Anahera dreams of leading Kia Tupato one day. Video