Displayed today on the Google New Zealand homepage, the 2024 Waitangi Day Doodle shows a group of New Zealanders participating in or celebrating elements of the kapa haka festivals, mau rākau weaponry workshops or annual tribal celebrations Egan has experienced.
The design captures a moment in time with whānau and friends: taking centre stage are a diverse group of tamariki, each representing components of kapa haka - practising with poi and taiaha, and a cheeky Māori boy - a tamaiti haututū - performing a haka dance movement and doing a pukana. The scene is bookended by a proud Māori father who is holding a trophy one of his tamariki has won in a manu kōrero speech competition; and an older Pasifika aunty who is on kai duty with some freshly made rēwana [sweet bread].
In the centre of the image is a girl gazing in interest and wonder at the collective wairua [spiritual essence] of everyone coming together and participating in events. It speaks to the numerous cultures participating, and an embracing of each culture’s spirit.