- Across Aotearoa, wedding bells are ringing. - Kua tuhono nga whakapapa! - I do. - I feel very lucky to be a celebrant. - And making them official... - So fancy. - ...are our Maori celebrants. - (ELECTRONIC DANCE MUSIC CONTINUES) - Which one is it? - Ah, I nearly gave him a ring around the ears. - (ALL CHEER) - Raise your glasses for the newlywed couple! - From the vows to the rings,... - You may now kiss your bride. - ...they help couples say 'I do'. This is Aroha Nui. Captions by Faith Hamblyn. Captions were made with the support of NZ On Air. www.able.co.nz Copyright Able 2022. - Opotiki wedding celebrant Annette Papuni-McLellan takes a well-deserved break. - Another wedding. Cheers. Thank you. Thank you for being there. - Another wedding. Well done. Yep. - The popular celebrant has officiated nearly 60 weddings. - So, you remember when we proposed? - When we got married or you proposed? - I proposed. - Do you remember that? - Yes. I went to Whakatane to buy a fishing rod. - And what did you buy? - I ended up giving you a ring. - Yeah! - Thought that was pretty cool. - The gay bride. - It was a long time ago, though, honey. (CHUCKLES) Cheers. - I have been a celebrant for eight years now. I do it because I love being around couples. It's a positive time, it's a happy time ` you get to share in some really intimate moments. Sharing someone's marriage is very special. - And on hand to help mum out are daughters Caitlin and Graeson. - How's your script going? - Oh,... the vows are going. So... this couple... don't know what to say to each other. - They haven't got their vows yet? - No. I like to help my bride and groom... too, cos its very difficult to put ` for a lot of people, to put into words the love and the intent of why they want to marry this individual. I'm going to talk to them about... how they feel about each other in here. - Yeah. That's the most importing thing. - It is. - Hi, darling. How are you? - Hello, gorgeous. Mmm. How are ya? - Good. I've got a lovely bride and groom. - Of course you have. - This week I'm going to marry Taylor and Giorgiana. - And choosing Annette was a no-brainer. - She's whanau ` her and Mum are quite tight, so we thought, 'Why not?' - I love that. I love it. Yeah? It's beautiful. - Yeah. Got it. - I have known Taylor's whanau for over 30-odd years, particularly his mum, Faithe, who we have worked together very closely in the Maori Women's Welfare League, and our friendship developed into more of a sisterhood. Shake your hand. - Oh, we met in Perth in 2010. - I don't know what it was about him, but I just, like, was instantly magnetised. I genuinely think it was like a kind of love at first sight, as lame as that sounds, but yeah. - Yes. - How special is that? - Mm. - Oh, so strange. It's actually happening. - I'm off. Couple of hui this morning. - As you do. (CHUCKLES) - Yeah. JP appointment. - OK. - And what are you up to today? - I'll be here. - Cool. Have a good day. I'll text you a bit later. Love you. - Being a celebrant is just one role Annette has in the vibrant Opotiki community. - I love our community. Our community has its challenges, but there's lots of good stuff. It's the people that matter for me. If you can add value to someone's life, in whatever shape or form that looks like, then that's what I like to do. And that's something that I've installed in to our girls as well. If you can make a difference, you do in a positive way. Like, if bread's on special for a dollar, you go and buy 10 loaves, and you drop it off to the whanau down the road, cos that's what you do. Within the community, I'm a local Justice of the Peace. Currently I'm at the local council, part of the exec support team there, and that keeps me busy. I am a life member of the Maori Women's Welfare League. - Are you well? - Watch me. - (BOTH LAUGH) - I'm doing some mahi around with community korero, where we go and talk to whanau, so that sort of mahi within the community is really important for me. - Morena. - Kia ora. - How are you? - Kei te pai. - That's good. Mwah. - (BASSY POP MUSIC) - Not gonna wear your jandals? - No, I don't like wearing shoes. It's not normal. - With Taylor and Giorgiana's big day only days away, its all hands on deck to transform Taylor's parents' property into their fairy-tale wedding location. - Is it gonna hold both of us? - Swing it. - We can move the ropes. - Oh, my God, be careful. (LAUGHS) - I think it's gonna snap, eh? - When we first came here 10 years ago, when Taylor first brought me here, I told him that I wanted to get married in this garden. - There it is. - What is it? - There you go. - Is it a chute? - So when I give you the bottles, you know where to put them. - (LAUGHS) You're cheeky, oi! - (LAUGHS) - (BASSY POP MUSIC) - Although it's not part of her mahi as a celebrant, as whanau, Annette has popped in to catch up with Faithe to see how things are tracking. - That's a good idea, you reckon? - I think that's a perfect spot. - Yeah. - And she can walk down here. - Yeah. - On this beautiful whenua. - Yeah. - I got married here. - Yeah. - Funny, eh? - That's a few years ago, eh? - (BOTH LAUGH) - Couldn't believe our luck when we were able to buy this place, just knowing that this was our whenua, once upon a time. Yeah. Ngati Rua whenua. - And when Faithe and Shane bought the whenua, we had a big tangi, her and I, because it was like coming home for them and... taking ownership back of the whenua. It's very special place. - So, we've got the korowai. And this one's called Ka Nui te Whetu. And it's only worn by the wahines. So it acknowledges the matriarchal lines of our whakapapa. Georgie's going to wear that one. It should look good on her. She's quite excited about that, because she's nice and tall. - (LAUGHS) - If it was on me, it'd be dragging on the ground. - Yeah. - You'd have to wear heels. - Yeah, so she's quite excited. - Nice. She'll be stunning in it. - Are you gonna wear your whanau korowai? - Would you like me to? - Oh, cuz, I think it would be beautiful. - Mm. - I think it's appropriate, cos of your whakapapa here, Papuni whakapapa back to the Ngati Rua whenua, which is our whenua here, all of this. - No, I think it'll be really, really cool. - Mm. - I felt privileged to be their celebrant, but to be asked to wear our whanau kahukura was amazing. I was hesitant,... because, for me, it's about the bride and groom. It's always about the bride and groom, I shouldn't be part of that, but I felt really honoured, and I was so pleased. - And then we found out that they wanted to get married. It's, like, 'Oh! It's all on!' In the whole week, we've gotta get a deck up. And we've gotta get the toilet in and ra, ra, ra. - And they've just gone all out to get it all done, so... - Amazing. - I know. Isn't it? - Just amazing. It looks beautiful. - Yeah. - But will the couple's chilled-out vibe create more panic at the rehearsal? - Who's got the rings? - Oh my God. - Who? I don't like that. - (BOTH LAUGH) - (FUNK MUSIC) - You ready to have a practise, Mum? - Yes. I am. - Before Annette heads off to the actual rehearsal, she likes to run through her own lines in front of daughter Caitlin. - Tena koutou. Tena koutou katoa. Welcome to whanau and friends here today to witness the wedding of Giorgiana and Taylor. My girls are very supportive, Graeson and Caitlin. I does help me to have a one-person audience, because they critique me well. (CHUCKLES) Can you give me some feedback on that part? - Yeah, no, it's good ` I think you can just remember to smile. - (CHUCKLES) I do. - And pronounce your words. - Pronounce my words. - Yes. - Like what? - Lineage, not line-age. - I didn't say line-age. - OK. - And they're honest. (LAUGHS) Brutally honest. - Are you gonna wear your heels in the garden? - Well, it depends, actually. Cos they've actually asked me to wear my korowai ` - Oh. - ...our korowai. - With the critiques out of the way, Annette races off to Giorgiana and Taylor's for the real deal. - What we are gonna do today, it's just so two you are comfortable. - Yeah. - Go through. It's short and sweet` - Sweet. That's what we need. - ...so it won't take long. - I'm getting butterflies. I'm getting fairly nervous. - (BOTH CHUCKLE) - Who's got the rings? - (BOTH LAUGH) - Oh my God. - I don't like that. - No. - (LAUGHS) - Oh, we do have them. - Cool. Who's gonna hold those? - Um, whoever. - Harlem? - Cool. - It's just I want my son to, but every time I ask him to do it, he's, like, 'No, Mum,' and then runs off. We've got two kids, Harlem and Coyote. Uh, Coyote is 4, and Harlem is 7. (CHUCKLES) - Shall I put lollipops in my...? I've done that before. - (BOTH CHUCKLE) - That's OK ` as long as you've got the rings. It's always good that these things pop up in the rehearsal, so that we're more prepared for the real thing. (CHUCKLES) - I had a groom that forgot the ring. - Oh really? - I kept on saying, 'Have you got the rings? Have you got the rings?' He'd go, 'Yes. Yes, I have. I have.' And we got to the ceremony, he went, 'I haven't got the ring.' - (LAUGHS) - So I took my wedding ring off. - Oh no. - (LAUGHS) He had to put it on. - Yeah, we just feel like the patupaiarehe, sort of, in the trees, just watching. - So, we're just gonna have a little run-through. We'll practise you walking down. - (CHUCKLES) - Yep. - Annie, are you actually making me walk? - Yeah, I am. - Yeah. - That's what a rehearsal is. - Oh. - (LAUGHS) Faithe decided off the cuff, she said, 'I'm gonna do the karanga for her,' and she did, and it was beautiful. - And it was pretty humbling. I loved it. - It's your moment. So you're just gonna... - Breathe and walk. - Yeah. - OK. - I love the way you skip. - (LAUGHS) - And so will everyone. But just for you, this is the start of that special moment we've talked about, so just slow down. - If you have to stop and just... (SIGHS) - All right. - I have to give that advice often, because, even at rehearsal, the bride and groom... (CHUCKLES) are so amped up and ready to get married, or they're stressed, which it's a bit of both actually. - So, I skip when I get excited. (LAUGHS) - So, you're gonna stand in front of me, cos it's not about me ` it's about you two. - Yep. - Not with your back, though; just to the side. - Sorry. (CHUCKLES) - So you're just side on. You can hold hands ` you can do whatever you want. And tomorrow, you think it's gonna go just rush through? - We're not gonna rush through. - (LAUGHS) That's what I was hoping for. - I know you were. So once you're here, we're just gonna pause, have a moment, make sure your dress is all... You look beautiful anyway. - I want to marry this man because I love him. - I need no more, do I? - (BOTH CHUCKLE) - Bit of a korero from me. We'll get into the vows. I'll have a copy of the vows here for you to read or if you want to just say it, and, you know, I'll just stand to the side. Stand to the side. The exchange of rings, so we'll get the rings. As you put it on her finger, I'll say, 'As you place this ring.' - Yeah. - And then say it, and then you can pop it on her finger. - Which hand is it? The left hand, eh? - (LAUGHS) - If it's wrong, I'll go... - (BOTH LAUGH) - Just discretely. - Well, I picked her cos she's smart` - Can make a bed real well. ...she's really good at cooking, really good at cleaning ` and also she's kind, caring and loving. - How's it looking down there? Good? - Yeah, really good. Finished. - I'll go and have a look. - Yeah, come and look. - It's really cool. - Cool. - Call in on the way down. - Yeah, I will. They want to show me the party shed,... (GIGGLES) which is a little bit unusual for the celebrant. - Cool. Kia ora. - Hi. - How are you? - Good. - That's good. That's whakawhanuangatanga. - This is where it's all happening tomorrow night. - Yep. - Hey. How are you, lovely? - I'm good. And yourself? - Good. - Hello. - Hey. How are you? - Good. How are you? - Oh! Look out here! - Yeah, and we dug out Faithe's claw-foot from the garden. - Oh, you did too. - Yeah, finally. - Oh, that's so cool. - So, are you gonna put the alcohol in there, are ya? - That's the alcohol holder. - Yeah, she's not gonna hop in it, eh? - Nah. - (LAUGHS) Maybe later. - Nah. - (BOTH LAUGH) - Oh, OK. - (BOTH LAUGH) - That's after after. (CHUCKLES) - We're gonna weed that garden, and blankets everywhere, so people can, like, lounge around, like, you know, a bit bohemian, I guess. - Yeah. - I don't really have a theme, but I like it. (CHUCKLES) - Oh, it's beautiful. You deserve this. - Time for one last piece of advice for our bride-to-be. - (GIGGLES) - Yeah. I'm used to always, like, walking like that. - I know. But this is your moment, so we're gonna make sure you enjoy it. - Taylor, we'll see you tomorrow! - Thank you! - I'll be up 2-ish. - Let's see if Giorgiana and Taylor will be this relaxed apopo. - Are you nervous? - Yep. - I'm shaking. Oh my gosh. - (FUNK MUSIC) - The big day has arrived for Taylor and his beautiful bride, Giorgiana. - So, how are you feeling today? How's it all going? - A little bit nervous. I'm shaking. Yeah, I'm nervous. Oh my God. - As the bride and groom tackle their nerves, Annette tackles her outfit for this special whanau wedding. - The earrings look good. - Yeah. Giorgiana and Taylor have requested their guests all wear white. I'm not going to be wearing white ` I'm gonna be wearing a pounamu-coloured dress, to go with our kahukura. - Those will be nice. - Cos if I'm wearing the korowai, - I don't wanna be too busy. - Mm. - Which will be the first time I will be wearing, which I'm very honoured, because I've done lots of weddings, but it's the first time that I would wear our kahukura. - Yeah. Nice. I think it looks good. - And I'm wearing the pounamu, the coloured dress, because we're in the garden, and it matches the kahukura. - What shoes are you wearing? - The black heels. - Black heels? - Mm. - Oh yeah. That'll be nice. - Make you a bit taller. - Taller? - (BOTH LAUGH) - With the garden filling up with whanau, friends and guests, Annette puts on the finishing touches to her outfit. - So, our kahukura has its own whakapapa. It's the kahukura that Caitlin wore when she said her speech at the hundredth centenary on the Gallipoli Peninsula, so it travelled with her, and in our minds, it was her protector, because we couldn't be with her ` so Graeson, Trevor and I went separately. Um, it's very special. We don't share it; it's specifically for our whanau, and... the significance of being the first time I wear it at a wedding is huge for me, because of my whakapapa links to the whenua. And down the back? - Yeah. Good. - WHISPERS: Thank you. Love you. - Love you too. - Now it's Taylor's turn. - Which way do you tie it up? That way? - Yeah. - Korowai is like a family heirloom that holds the mana of our heritage and family. It's an honour for me to wear it. - There you go, my son. - Thank you. - Cool. Thank you. - Ooh, that's way warmer. - (DUB MUSIC) - (INDISTINCT CONVERSATIONS) - (LAUGHS) - With the anticipation building, so are Taylor's nerves. - Are you nervous? - Yeah. - (BOTH LAUGH) - I'm always nervous. - That's gorgeous, eh? Like, good on you. - You're always so cool, calm and collected. (CHUCKLES) - I try to be. - (CLEARS THROAT) - (SIGHS) - # Haere mai ra, # e te wahine ataahua hoki. # Haere mai ra i runga i te kaupapa o # tenei ra, # a to marena. # Mauria mai, # mauria mai, # Ka Nui te Whetu, # te korowai aroha o nga wahine # katoa, # haere mai ra, # haere mai ra. # - Yep. - (GIGGLES) - OK. Yes, I have taken my shoes off, whanau, because the bride and groom have no shoes, and it would be very rude of me not too. (CHUCKLES) - Shall we begin? - Yep. - You can hold hands. - It's getting a bit hot over here. - (LAUGHTER) - Do I have to stand on this side? Can I stand next to him? - You can stand wherever you like, darling. - Oh, that's so much easier. - (LAUGHTER) - Would you like to take the ceremony (?) - (LAUGHTER) - Oh, sorry. I didn't feel comfortable having my back to people, so I asked if I could stand next to Taylor, just, you know, in unity, I guess. (CHUCKLES) - Tena koutou, tena koutou, tena koutou katoa. Welcome to whanau and friends, here today to witness the wedding of Giorgiana and Taylor. - Are you two ready to get married? - Yep. - (LAUGHTER) - OK. Giorgi,... - Giorgi,... - ...I take you to be my wife,... - ...I take you to be my wife... - ...today in front of our whanau and friends. - ...today in front of our whanau and friends. - We have been through a lot together... - We've been through a lot together... - ...and created... - ...and created.... - ...and shared some great memories. - ...and shared some great memories. - I promise to love you... - I promise to love you... - ...as you deserve to be,... - ...as you deserve to be,... - ...create more awesome memories... - ...create more awesome memories... - ...and share laughter and fun with you. - And share laughter and fun with you. - I love you. - I love you. - Your turn, Giorgi. Are you ready? - (CHUCKLES) - Do you wanna repeat after me? - Yes, please. (CHUCKLES) - OK. (CHUCKLES) - Unless you remembered it. - You didn't. - (BOTH LAUGH) - Taylor, I love that we stand here today... - Taylor, I love that we stand here today... - ...to become husband and wife... - ...to become husband and wife... - ...in front of whanau,... - ...in front of whanau,... - ...friends... - ...friends... - ...and our beautiful children. - and our beautiful children. - I will treasure every moment with you. - I will treasure every moment with you. - I'm looking forward to creating more great memories... - I'm looking forward to creating the best memories... - ...and share laughter... - ...and share laughter... - ...and fun together. - ...and fun together. - I love you. - I love you. - It's getting hot up here now. - (LAUGHTER) - Beautiful. Thank you for sharing that. Now we're gonna exchange the rings. Taylor, as you place this ring on Giorgi's finger, it is an acknowledgement of your life together, before today, alongside your children, Coyote and Harlem, but also for the future. This ring is a symbol of your love and a commitment to Giorgi as your wife. So, Giorgi, as you place this ring on Taylor's finger, it is an acknowledgement of your life together and commitment to Taylor as your husband. - It's, uh, so awesome to have my wedding, on my bit of whenua, with the lady that I love. - It's just magical. What's not to love about it? (CHUCKLES) - Well, whanau and friends, it gives me absolute great pleasure to happily announce Taylor and Giorgi as husband and wife. You may kiss your bride. - (CHEERING) - I told you it was hot up here. - (CHUCKLES) - While this isn't a shotgun wedding,... - (GUNS COCK, GUNFIRE) - ...it's finishing with a bang. - To Mr and Mrs Hanrahan,... aka Taylor and Giorgiana,... I wish you both all the happiness, all the love in the world, and may it bring you many blessings. - Next time on Aroha Nui ` - You fullas, did you have a bowl of patero for breakfast (?) - ...straight-talking... - How come you weren't here yesterday, stink-bum? - ...celebrant Lois... - Put the juju lips on. - ...is in Turanganui-a-Kiwa for a fairy-tale wedding. - Smart-arse, man. Yeah. - But it's not all smooth sailing. - Which one is it?