Historic Maori Event

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 15, Issue 100, 25 September 1950, Page 4

Historic Maori Event

LANDING OF MATATUA CANOE IS CELEBRATED BY BIG GATHERING OF REPRESENTATIVE TRIBES

Dull skies looked down on one of the~ largest assemblages seen on the Whakatane foreshore last Saturday* morning when the official programme of the Matatua S excentennial took place be lore approximately 5,000 people. The occasion ivas probably the most important in recent Maori history in the Bay of Plenty and took place on the marae of the Wairaka Pa which presented an animatand colourful picture as the closely packed crowds of Maori and Pakeha pressed forward to enjoy the spectacles presented by the Ruatoki haka and waiata parties as they welcomed the official guests Hon. E. G. Corbett, Minister of/Maori Affairs, Hon. W. Sullivan, Minister of Labour, Hon. Peter Fraser, Leader , of the Opposition, and officers of the Department of Native Affairs. Among the distinguished Maori visitors were Princess Te Puea, of Ngaruawahia, Mr Rangi Royal, Capt. R. Vercoe, Messrs Rore Eruiti, Arnold Reedy, Hamana Mahuika and Te Kanui Te-ua. The re-enacting of the landing of the fabled Matatua canoe apd the unveiling of 'the handsome War Memorial were other highlights which marked the ceremonies attaching to the 600th anniversary of the ancestors of the present tribes of the Eastern Bay of Plenty. Over all brooded the shadow of Kaapu-te-Rangi (ridge of the heavens) the cliff pa of Toi common progenator of all living Maoris which stands 400 feet above the marae on the table and backing the town.

HISTORY RE-LIVED; LANDING OF CANOE IS PORTRAYED

Up-harbour, '••its ancient bows breaking the placid water in a wide V the modern version of the Matatua Canoe which brought the first Maori sea-farers 2,000 miles from Hawaiki, slowly made its way. The crew of twelve plied their paddles like veterans and the historic figures were impersonated by Mr J. Keepa as Toroa (Captain), Miss Te Kiri Haehae as Muriwai (Toroa’s sister) and Miss L. Hohapata as Wairaka (Toroa’s daughter). Its progress made a deep impression on the densely packed waterfront which burst into applause as it crept to its berthage alongside the wharf The crew disembarked in traditional manner and were . eeted by the official party as they stepped ashore. With the Parliamentary party, the group slowly. made its way through the crowd to the marae, preceded by three elderly M-dori women in black, who beckoned them on with, the traditional green branches. \ The challenger, a stalwart warrior armed with tufted spear, advanced threatingly but retreated as soon as the peaceful nature of the invasion was ascertained This was the signal for the. haka ; party in front of the Wairaka meeting house to break into vigorous action. Action songs were given with splendid precision and grace by the Tuhoe girls. The spirited hakas alike were popular. A Dual Memory

“We are here to honour the meirr ory of the ancestors of the Maori people and likewise to honour the memory of those of their sons who in the recent wars have played such a vital and magnificent part,” said the Mayor of Whakatane, Mr B. S, Barry, addressing the assemblage on the marae. He went on to say that the Maori voyagers of the past set out with a magnificent courage in their hearts and a mighty vision before their eyes. Six hundred years later the sons of Wairaka had again .set out to brave the oceans but this time in mighty transports and amidst the dangers of modern warfare. In their hearts they had echoed the words of their great ancestors ‘I will act the man’ and how well this was proved was borne out on the plains of South Africa, on the fields of Flanders and on Cassino’s heights. The Tuhoe Chief, Takarua Tamerau, gave greetings and fellowship, and thanked the Pdkeha community warmly for its practical demonstration of goodwill. The Maoris of old had reached New Zealand under the guidance of their gods. Today, and since Christianity had been introduced it was God who would lead their canoes on and on to higher things. “I fear sometimes that the clash culture between our two races may. end disastrously for the Maori,” he said. “We stand in danger of los- < ing our ancient arts and crafts and our children are being educated away from them. I appeal to the Minister (Hon. Mr Corbett) to see these things are pressed to us as a legacy for future generations.” Another Maori speaker was Te Kare Hana of Tauranga, who declared that he would like to add to the names of the migratory canoes, that of Captain Cook’s. He greeted the Pakehas, who he declared were now in danger of being submerged into the Maori race. There was no danger of the Maori dying out, the colour might be changed 'slightly but the Maori virility would continue for years. Mr J. L. Burnett (Chairman of the County Council) added his portion of welcome, contending that the adventurous and progressive : spirit which first animated the Maori sea-farers was still latent in

Impressive Ceremony Of Dedication

Lavish Hospitality At Ceremonial Feast

the race today and would eventually assist him forward to keep step to step with his Pakeha brother in moulding the destiny of this lanu. Hon. W. Sullivan declared he was speaking from his mafae when he extended official welcome to the visitors. He was certain that the Parliamentarians would welcome a break to back in the sunshine of the Bay of Plenty. Mr Fraser

When there was a hint of introducing politics into the speechmaking, the Leader of the Opposition, Mr Peter Fraser, said he would not dream of transforming the hospitable and sacred marae of Wairaka into any semblance of Parliament. He hoped that the Maoris would be given the chance to work out their own salvation in the spirit of justice and understanding. He compared the exploits of Erik the Red, of Viking days, to the voyages of the early Polynesians and added that these great performances had been in the vanguard of the progress of mankind.

The white surplices of the three Maori Clergy (Canon Puhipi Kohere, and the Revs. W. Panapa, and R. Rangiaho) stood starkly against the green background as they moved forward towards the 14-foot high Memorial arch which frames the Wairaka entrance. The ceremony of unveiling and dedicating the Matatua War Memorial attracted the silent attention of the watching thousands.

The favourite hymn of - the late Sir Apirana Ngata was sung as a prelude, after which a selected chapter from the Book of Revelations was read in the Maori tongue. The guard of honour, composed of Maori ex-servicemen stood rigedly silent facing the memorial throughout.

The Memorial was unveiled by the Hon. Mr Corbett, and, as -the flags fell away, the engraved plaques showing the Matatua Canoe and the memorial faces were displayed. Canon Kohere recited the dedication, and then the silver notes of the Last Post were sounded as the crowded marae stood hushed' and bare-headed.- Only one sound of suppressed sobbing broke the silence between the final notes and the sprightlier call of the Reveille which rang out across the harbour front to conclude the . impressive ceremony. ‘

Ever noted for their hospitality, the local Maoris excelled themselves in the feast which wms spread before official visitors in the Wairaka meeting house on Saturday. Two hundred guests filled the main tables, while outside under the temporary coverings 4000 tribes people and others were entertained on the same lavish scale. The whole was served with that happy thoroughness which characterises all Maori gatherings, and the food end service would have done justice anywhere.

Something of the remarkable dimensions of the catering may be gleaned from x the fact that 12 tons of potatoes, 300 puddings, 20 bags of mussels, 40 bags of cockles, 60 sheep, and 30 bullocks were used. The huge*hangis at the rear of the marae occupied nearly a quarter of an acre, and were filled with stones of a special nature brought all the way from Mount Edgecombe. The running of the co-operative butchers shop, commisariott stall, and canteen supplied completely the needs of the temporary settlement and was thought a tribute to the organisation and ability of the Maori sub-committee.