Marae ready for Easter Hui

Ruapehu Bulletin, 26 March 1991, Page 5

Marae ready for Easter Hui

BY

GAIL

IMHOFF

This year the Easter Hui Aranga is being held at Ohakune with Maungarongo the host Marae. All the activities are being held at Ruapehu College except the tennis which will be held at the Raetihi Tennis Club. Visiting Clubs will be staying in classrooms at the College and on Wednesday morning two enormous marquee will be erected, one for dining and the other for the competitions and church services. Thomas Mareikura is the chairman of this year's management committee which is made up of delegates from the three main clubs in the Wanganui area - Ruapehu, St Vincent's and Kai whaki, This year's committee is a young committee. Local kaumatua and kuia are also on the committee in an advisory capacity. A lot of local input is being used. Organisation for the weekend has been on-going for over a year and has involved many people and resources. Other local marae in the area have offered services and equipment including Te Puke (Raetihi), Tirorangi (Karioi), Raketepauma (Rangiwaea) and Kuratahi (Mataroa). Massive catering job Catering for up to 2,000 people is the biggest headache for the organising committee. Biddy Mareikura has the overall responsibility for ordering the food for the hui. To this end a fund-raising concert was held in Wanganui a couple of years ago, the proceeds of which were used to buy three cattle beasts for the Hui. One whole beast will be made into corn beef for the weekend, which will last for just one meal. With up to 2,000 visitors it is expected that 24,000 meals will be served over the weekend. The cooking will be done at the Maungarongo Marae under the leadership of Bobby

Gray and Maurea Akapita. Large teams of workers in shifts are needed for this. St Vincent's Club are in charge of the dining room, waiting on tables and cleaning up. Kaiwhaki Club will be running the canteen and cafeteria which will have pies, sandwiches, hot meals drinks and lollies. Accommodation is the responsibility of Gabby and Aurora Mareikura, who have to see that everyone has a place to sleep and bedding. Luana Akapita is looking after the visiting kaumatua and members of the religious orders. The Hui Aranga is a 'Hui Tapu' held each Easter and celebrates the raising of Jesus Christ from the dead. It was first held in 1946 in Otaki and the following year at Ohakune. Other years it had been held in Ohakune are 1965 and 1979. Grown The theme for the hui was started by kaumatua of the Ngati Rangi, Ngati Kahungunu and Whanganui people. They saw a need to keep people together as a family and within the Catholic church, though other denominations are invited to join in and share. Over the years the hui has grown to include a wider range of sports, cultural, competitive and social events especially for young people. The kaumatua saw a need to implement Tikanga Maori and introduced Mahi a ringaringa, haka, poi, whaikorero, waiata patere, choir and religious quiz as well as sport. The sports include table tennis, rugby, netball and tennis. The Hui Aranga is a national festival with teams from North Hokianga, Tauranga, Hawke's Bay, Wellington, Tauranga and Wanganui to mention just a few. The Maori Bishop Max Muriu Takuira will be officiating at services over the weekend with help from up to 15

priests, many of whom are from Maori missions around the country. Nuns from several orders will also be in attendance. The weekend starts with Holy Mass of the Last Supper at 9.30 pm on Thursday 28 March. The official opening of the hui and mihi to the clubs will be at 9.00 am on 29 March, with competitions starting about 10.30 with the men's and women's oratory and patere. At 2.30 pm there is a Commemoration of the death of Christ with competitions in the

evening, - Midgets poi, action song and haka, followed by the choirs and sacred solos. On Saturday at 9.00 am there is a sports parade followed by sports throughout the day with junior action songs, poi and haka in the evening. The 'Ceremony of Light' vigil starts about 9.30 pm. Easter Mass is at 9.30 am on Sunday followed immediately with the Procession of Blessed Sacrament. At 6.00 pm the religious quiz senior action songs, poi and haka are followed by a disco.

Trophies will be presented at the end of each evenings competition. On Monday morning at 9.00 am it is time for poroporoaki (farewells) and the handing over to the Hui Aranga Statue to Tauranga, the 1992 management committee. A pass is necessary to attend activities during the weekend, which is available at the Ruapehu College office. A day pass allows entry to any competition, sport or to have meals. There is also an evening pass for Turnpage7

From page 5 the evening competitions and a children's pass available. Any local people who wish to attend are most welcome, said organisers. The national president of the Central Council is Matiu Mareikura who took over the position from Mark Gray also of Ngati Rangi.