Established in 2009 Muriwhenua are the defending champions of the 2014 Tai Tokerau regionals and have represented the northland region at three Te Matatini national competitions. Last year the team traveled to Brazil to represent Aotearoa at the World indigenous games.
Through Muriwhenua, tutors Chris Henare, Sandra Waitai-Henare, Thomas Strickland, Samatha Waitai-Terekia, Daniel Waitai and Hera Waitai strive to share the stories of the far north iwi of Ngāti Kurī, Ngāi Takoto, Te Pātū, Ngāti Kahu, Te Aupōuri and Te Rarawa.
Their tutor says that aside from their performances on-stage, they encourage their members to engage in education and cultural kaupapa.
Muriwhenua are the fifth team to take the stage at the ASB stadium in Whāngarei today. This is this is their Whakaeke "Pā maioro o Te Rerenga Parāoa, which talks about their genealogical links to the hosting iwi through their Ngāti Kahu ancestor, Torongare.