Taste kai from world's largest public hangi pits

The largest urban public hangī pits in the world have been dug in Ōtautahi and the local iwi is gearing up for an event this weekend to launch them to the public.

Come enjoy a hangi at The Commons this Saturday.

Matapopore, in partnership with Te Ngāi Tūāhuriri Rūnanga, will be serving up a hangī in The Commons, next to the Town Hall, as part of the 2019 Christchurch Arts Festival.

On Saturday 3 August, hangī master Grenville Pitama (Ngāi Tūāhuriri) will take the crowd through the art of  cooking and serving a traditional hangī.

The pits will be lit at 11am and the kai will be lowered at midday. The hangī will be lifted and blessed at 5pm and be ready to eat by 5.30pm.

This event embodies the concept of whanaungatanga (family/togetherness) and manaakitanga (hospitality/kindness). Bringing this experience to the public gives people the chance to participate and connect with mana whenua cultural practices.

Chairperson of Matapopore, Aroha Reriti-Crofts, says “We are excited to welcome people from throughout Ōtautahi and beyond to enjoy some delicious kai and experience a hangī with us. The fact that it’s happening in an urban centre and open to everyone is unique and we’re thrilled to be able to offer this experience.”

The installation of the pits is supported by the Christchurch City Council’s Enliven Places Project Fund. 

Following the event on 3 August, the hangī pits will be available for public use and details will be made available on this.

Tickets for the hangī are $15 per person and available now at through Ticketek. Entry is by ticket only as the hangī team need to ensure there is enough kai for all manuhiri (guests).