Couple walk in the footsteps of Maori legend

Celebrant Darren Brown of New Zealand Maori Weddings leads the wedding vow renewal ceremony of Spider and Richard Mattos at the Rotorua Band Rotunda. Photo / Stephen Parker

An American couple have "brought Rotorua into their lives forever" after they renewed their wedding vows with a Maori-themed ceremony.

Spider Mattos surprised her husband Richard last week at the Rotorua Band Rotunda with the ceremony conducted by celebrant Darren Brown and his wife, Michelle of New Zealand Maori Weddings.

The couple, who have been married for more than 27 years, donned korowai, were welcomed on to the rotunda to the strains of a conch shell and heard of the Te Arawa legend of Hinemoa and Tutanekai before reciting their vows to each other.

Mr and Mrs Brown closed the ceremony by singing the waiata, Pokarekare Ana.

Mrs Matttos is of American Indian descent, from the Pima tribe. Their visit to Rotorua was part of their two-month travels around the world.

"I chose this [ceremony] for the Maori culture, especially being Native American, there is so many similarities to the two cultures," she said. "We love it here, it is so relaxing and everyone has been so friendly."

Mr Mattos said the secret of their long marriage has been to laugh a lot together and "don't disturb her when she's packing".

"I didn't realise how special this would be. For me this caps it off, we have been travelling together for two months and we didn't even know we'd still be talking to one another at the end of it, let alone renewing our vows. This brings Rotorua into our lives forever," he said.

Mr Brown said the unique Maori culture was what attracted couples, like the Matttos, to take part in these ceremonies.

"When people come to New Zealand they like to experience the culture of the people, the city of love where the love story Hinemoa and Tutanekai came from. It's about walking in their footsteps. This helps keep our culture alive and strong and it's a pleasure to share that on this remarkable occasion," Mr Brown said.