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world gathering 2009/10 | OurStory | rainbow family and friends | SandBox

the Aotearoa gatherings

This page is for stories, images and impressions from past gathering of the Aotearoa family, as well as a brief account of the origin of the rainbow gathering tradition. ­If anyone has any records (articles, poems, photos, art etc) from our gatherings, or anything else they would like to contribute to this shared story, please do. Instructions for editing this site are on the main page.

The Origins of the rainbow gatherings

The first rainbow family gathering was held in the USA in 1972, an organic outgrowth of the hippy movement with a strongly spiritual peace-on-earth focus. Originally planned as a free one-off meditation for peace, the US gathering has become an annual tradition. A truly miraculous yearly event that sees thousands of people gathering peacefully for weeks, providing for their needs through communal cooking and donations to the 'magic hat'. Since then the rainbow family has spread out across the world, with regional and national gatherings held throughout America, Europe, Australia, even Israel! In the last few years there has been a series of world rainbow gatherings beginning in Australia in 2000. The second began in Brazil on March 4. Ten years later, the tenth world gathering is held in Aotearoa.

Many family believe the rainbow gathering movement is the manifestation of Native American prophecies, many of which talk about Rainbow Warriors and the emergence of a new tribe who live in the ancient ways and defend the Earth. Many of the Aotearoa whanau feel a sense of connection to the Waitaha, a previously unknown iwi whose oral histories of living in peace in Te Wai Pounamu (south island) before the arrival of Kai Tahu were documented by Barry Brailsford in 'Song of Waitaha'. Misuse of this oral history by the author of Song of Waitaha is described in this article by Makere Harawira, and we aspire to avoid falling into these traps of reinforcing colonization, and instead support the aspirations of all the world's indigenous people to have their autonomy and traditional stewardship of land and resources respected.

Gathering 0

There are stories of a gathering in Aotearoa in the early years of the rainbow family coming into existence. If this happened, then for some reason, rainbow did not take root in this land at that time.This story assumes that the first Aotearoa rainbow gathering was in 1998.

Baton Valley, Motueka - First Aotearoa national gathering - 1998

The first Aotearoa gathering happened in Baton Valley, behind Motueka, in autumn of 1998.

Te Tai Tokerau - Second Aotearoa national gathering - 1998

Rainbow Valley Community, Anatoki Valley, Golden Bay - Third Aotearoa gathering - 2000/01(?)

Rainbow Valley Community, Anatoki Valley, Golden Bay - Fourth Aotearoa gathering Jan/ Feb 2003­

The 4th Aotearoa gathering of the rainbow family of living light finished recently after 6 weeks in the beautiful Anatoki Valley, near Takaka in the north of the south island. This began as a small camp to commemorate the succes of the third gathering, and hold a vision council. Word spread like wildfire and before long a full scale gathering was in progress.

Seed Camp began on January 8. This is when our scouts arrive to open the welcome centre, prepare the gathering site and establish communal facilities like water supply, kitchen, chai tent, main circle where we have our meals and of course dig shit pits ;P

Main Gathering began with a full moon ceremony on Saturday January 18 (at this stage I was at the Kaikoura Roots Festival and didn't make it to the gathering till after reporting on Waihopai) and carried on for four weeks, culminating in a wicked full moon party on Sunday February 16.

Throughout we enjoyed communal brunch and dinner cooked by the family with food provided by donations to the 'magic hat'. Family members shared their skills and knowledge through informal workshops and discussions. The health of the family was monitored and treated with natural remedies. At night we gathered in the communal tipi, in the chai tent and around the sacred fire in the main circle to sing bajans, rainbow songs and even some Māori waiata :}

It was a magical time and an amazing opportunity to meet and hang out with an awesome crew of international rainbow brothers and sisters. Some of them are rainbow veterans, for others it was their first gathering. Either way it wouldn't have been the same without them, arohanui ki a koutou, cool runnings, love and best wishes to you all in your travels.

Of course I don't mean to downplay the contribution of our kiwi brothers and sisters, especially our elders who called the gathering and provided momentum at seedcamp. Enormous thanks must go also to our hosts at Rainbow Valley Community, whose land we were camping on for so long. Kia ora koutou katoa.

(Text adapted from an article published on Aotearoa Indymedia by Strypey)

Moehau Community, Coromandel - Fifth Aotearoa Gathering - Oct/ Nov 2004

"Well the recent 2004 national rainbow gathering at Moehau on the Coromandel Peninsula was a great success. I think about 100 people were there to participate in our full moon ritual. It was great to see some familiar faces and plenty of beautiful new ones coming into our growing family."
- Strypey, 'Aotearoa Rainbow Newsmail #5'

Kaimanawa Regional Park, Desert Plateau - Sixth Aotearoa Gathering - Jan/ Feb 2006

Hokianga, Te Tai Tokerau - Seventh Aotearoa Gathering - (late 2006/ early 2007)

Kahurangi National Park, Gelden Bay - Eighth Aotearoa Gathering - Nov/ Dev 2007

Rappahannock Valley, Te Kopi o Kaitangata - world rainbow gathering Dec 2009/ Jan 2010