GREAT GATHERING

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 2, Issue 128, 26 February 1940, Page 5

GREAT GATHERING

WHAKATANE'S CENTENNIAL EFFORT PROCESSION AND HISTORIC PAGEANT MATATUA TRIBAL DISPLAY What promises to be the largest Maori gathering in the Bay of Plenty will take place on March 16. when the whole of the Matatua tribe comprising the Ngatiawa and Tulioe confederation of hapus will combine in staging a unique native demonstration and historic display in connection with Whakatane's Centennial celebrations.

A strong and representative committee has all arrangements well in hand and it is anticipated that over 5000 Maoris will participate. For many months past rehearsals have been proceeding and parties from the various pas and settlements are providing special hakas, poi dances and Waiatas which will be featured in the full day's programme.

Special attention is being paid to the old-time customs and traditional methods of carrying out the serving of food, the greeting of guests and the departure of the various visiting parties. Careful attention is being paid to each section in an effort to ensure historical accuracy, as the Maori elders are desirous of demonstrating to the younger members of the tribe the dignity and ceremony of the past, which they claim is almost forgotten by the Maoris of to-day.

Special invitations will be extended to the leaders of the neighbouring tribes, and to the sister tribes the Ngapuhi of the North and the Ngai-te-rangi of the North Bay of Plenty. It is hoped to make the occasion a rallying point for all tribal classcs associated with the arrival of the Matatua canoe with the great migration from Hawaiki in approximately 1240 A.D.

The Whakatane Domain has been made available lor a musteline point and proceedings will open with the local coastal natives greeting with action dance and chant, the arrivals from Ruatoki,, Te Teko, Waiohau, Waimana and further inland. An hour's entertainment by native and pakeha school children will follow after which the gathering will form up in tribal units and march to the famous Pohaturoa Rock in the centre of the town where will lie re-enacted the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi by the direct descendants of those Matatua chiefs who signed the celebrated document 100 years ago.

The ceremony will take plr.ee on the exact spot, and all participants will be garbed to suit the occasion. Only native kit will be worn by the Maoris and the official party will wear as near as possible clothing in conformity with the period.

The planting of the first kumara from the Matatua canoe will be reenacted upon the spot of red soil traditionally credited with having been brought from Ilawaiki for the purpose. The demonstration will be carried out with the Maori Ko or spade, and accompanied by the action song used in the old days 4

The visitors will be treated as guests of the local members of the Wairaka Pa where a complete hui wil'l be served accompanied, by a continuous programme of entertainment by native parties.

The Maoris will also take part in the procession to the Heads where the Centennial Park will be officially opened and where a special display will take place, followed by a demonstration of Maori cooking in liangis. The unveiling of a special plaque on the spot where the Matatua Canoe is reputed to have touched shore on ? New Zealand (near the Whakatane harbour entrance) will also take place.