Henry Tiniura Wichman
TO TĀTOU AKA TŪPUNA • ROTAIANGA • NŌ TE UKI KI MUA
Our Ancestral Roots • Coming Together • For Generations to Come
The Wichman Family Reunion Committee in Rarotonga extends a warm welcome to all descendants of Henry Tiniura Wichman. We are honoured to gather in Rarotonga from 17–20 December 2026 for a special time of connection, remembrance and celebration.
Henry Tiniura Wichman's legacy spans across French Polynesia, the Cook Islands and beyond — there were four wives and seventeen children, with each wife becoming the foundation of a distinct branch of the family. The four branches carry the names of the mothers:
Why we're gatheringToday the Bambridge Wichman descendants number in the thousands, many of whom have never met. With four branches and so many children, that's understandable. At the Bambridge family reunion in Tahiti last year, some of us realised just how true this is. Those of Henry Tiniura's descendants who attended, representing the Martha 'Pepi' line (Henry's mother), did not all know each other, including families who had travelled from Rarotonga.
It was also voted in Tahiti that Rarotonga would host the next Bambridge family reunion, planned for October 2027. Together with the Bambridge Reunion Committee Tahiti, we will be welcoming our families from far and wide.
This December's reunion is our chance to get to know each other across all four branches, especially those of us living in Raro. It's a time to form closer bonds, share and learn, and work together as one family towards co-hosting the 2027 Bambridge Reunion.
Our themeTo Tātou Aka Tūpuna
Our ancestral roots
We discover where we come from and honour those who came before us.
Rotaianga
Coming together
We gather today as one family, across all four branches.
Nō te Uki ki Mua
For generations to come
We pass that connection on to our children, and to theirs.
May these days be filled with laughter, respect and new connections as we honour our past and look forward together. Kia Orana e Kia Manuia
Updates & News
Kia Orana kōtou kātoatoa i te aro'a ma'ata o te Atua. Tangikē rava!
We are just over six weeks away from coming together as one Kōpu Tangata, 17–20 December 2026 in Rarotonga. We're also starting the journey towards hosting the Bambridge Reunion in 2027. Here's the latest.
Latest Updates (3 November 2026)
Day 1 venue change: The Opening Evening on Thursday 17 December, from 5pm, is now at Arorangi Club House, Raemaru Park (not Highland Paradise).
Registrations close Friday 20 November: Please register everyone coming, including children under 12 (they're free). Ordering a polo doesn't register you.
Polo orders have closed: Orders closed on 19 October and the final print run has gone to the printer. Missed out? You can join the wait list.
Polo payments were due 30 October: If you haven't paid yet, please pay now using your reference. We're matching payments now, and everyone will get an email showing what they've paid and any balance.
Key Dates
19 October 2026: Polo orders closed (final print run)
30 October 2026: Polo payments were due. If you haven't paid, please pay now.
20 November 2026: Registrations close and registration fees are due
17 December 2026, from 5pm: Opening Evening and registration desk, Arorangi Club House, Raemaru Park. Collect your name tag and polo.
17–20 December 2026: Wichman Reunion, Rarotonga
October 2027: Bambridge Reunion, Rarotonga
Registrations – closing Friday 20 November
You can register as an individual or as a household/group, online or on a paper form. Registration is NZ$50 for everyone aged 12 and over. Children under 12 are free, but please still register them so we have the right numbers for catering, name tags and seating.
Please register by Friday 20 November so we can give our caterers final numbers. If you miss the date, please still get in touch. We'll do our best to accommodate you.
Pay by bank deposit and use your WR26 reference number so we can match your payment. Bank details will be in your confirmation email.
Register now
2026 Reunion Programme
The four-day programme is online. Please note the new venue for the Opening Evening on Thursday 17 December: Arorangi Club House, Raemaru Park. More updates will be added in the coming weeks.
View the programme
Reunion Polo Shirts – orders closed
Meitaki maata to everyone who ordered a polo. Orders closed on Monday 19 October and the final print run has gone to the printer, so we can't take any new orders.
Pickup: Collect your polo from the registration desk on Thursday 17 December, or during the reunion. If you ordered through your family line representative, check with them, as they may collect for your family. Polos can only be picked up in Rarotonga.
Payment: Polo payments were due by Friday 30 October so we could pay the printer. If you haven't paid yet, please pay now using your reference.
Missed out? Sometimes a polo is ordered twice by mistake. If any spare polos come up, we'll offer them to people on the wait list. Email reunion@bambridge-wichman.com with your name, phone number, colour and size.
Polo pickup, payment and wait list
Can You Lend a Hand?
We'll need help with setting up, the kaikai, transport and more. You can tick the volunteer option when you register, or contact us here
History, Genealogy and How You Can Help
Each of the 17 family lines is asked to nominate at least one volunteer to represent their line and gather updates on:
New births and those who have passed
Photos and, especially, stories
Any documents that confirm your connection to Henry Tiniura Wichman
Sponsorship, Contributions and Financial Reporting
In addition to registration fees, each of the 17 family lines is asked to contribute NZ$1,000 towards the 2026 Reunion. We are grateful for some sponsorship from a few local family businesses; we will be promoting them on here soon. If your business would like to sponsor, or you can contribute towards your family line, please get in touch. A financial report is available on request to registered attendees.
To Our Overseas Families
The December reunion is mainly for those of us on island, but you are welcome to join us. If you can only make one trip home, we encourage you to make it the 2027 Bambridge Reunion. It will be a big gathering of our wider family, and we'd love to see every branch represented. We'll share more details on this website as they're confirmed.
Upcoming Reunion Meetings
Everyone is welcome to come along to a reunion meeting. There are usually introductions for family who haven't attended before. The committee will share any updates and continue with the planning. We finish with a shared kaikai/refreshments. Contact us and we'll share the meeting place.
Sunday 8 November 2026 – from 3pm
Reunion Committee Rarotonga
Co-Chairs: Arama Wichman and Luduina Williams
Secretary: Ana Kairua
Assistant Secretary: Cecilia Piri
Treasurer: Vaine Wichman
Assistant Treasurer: Jovan Wichman
Genealogy Lead: Eddie Wichman
Genealogy Co-Leads: Jane Wichman, Moana Tauraa
Family Line Reps: Mere Wichman-Rairoa, Shirley Napa, Moana Tauraa, Martha Matapo, Cecilia Piri, Eddie Wichman, Jane Wichman, Christina Samuel
Website, Communications and Media Releases: Analiess Enoka Robertson, Jade Johnson
