Mount Eden’s Sacred Tapu Infringed

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 202, 15 November 1927, Page 9

Mount Eden’s Sacred Tapu Infringed

CHIEFTAINESS ANGRY SPELL CAST ON TREE T/AHUPAKE RONGONUI, a chieftainess from Pukaki, in the Mangere district, has severely verbally castigated the infant Te Akarana Maori Association for infringing the tapu of Mount Eden. The occasion "was the recent hangi, organised by the association in collaboration with the Auckland Institute. Kahupake angrily called a meeting, demanded compensation in the name of her ancestors, and declared that she had exercised witchery in regard to the memorial tree which the association planted. “It will die. It cannot live!” declared Kahupake, at a meeting which took place at Pukaki during the weekend, when members of the association attended at her urgent request. Such a flow of oratory has never been heard at a Maori gathering near Auckland for a very long time. It was gently but firmly pointed out to Kahupake that although the tree had been planted some weeks there was no indication that her incantations against it had had the slightest effect. OUTRAGED FEELINGS Kahupake is a woman of considerable influence among her people at Pukaki. She is a descendant of the Waiohua, the original owners of Mount Eden. In no uncertain terms she explained her outraged feelings that such an assembly should have been held on the slopes of the mountain. On account of the battles and the bloodshed that had followed the mountain’s tapu, she averred, was just as strict to-day as it had ever been. Secondly, she was annoyed that she had not been invited to the gathering. The outstanding source of complaint, however, was in regard to the historical narrative issued by the association for the occasion. She contended that this account was derogatory to the dignity of her people. Neither had they any right to plant the tree without any reference to her. The conference that ensued lasted from morning until late in the evening. It was pointed out, in reply, that Mount Eden had actually been sold. The vendors were not Kahupake’s people, but the chiefs of Ngati-Whatua, who claimed that they were the owners of the whole of the district by reason of conquest and occupation. As to her contention in regard to not being invited Kahupake was told that, as the gathering was a public function, no particular invitations were issued. She admitted receiving a circular from the association in common with others. NEVER BEEN QUESTIONED As to the historical narrative, she was informed that it was quite correct, being actually based on Judge Fenton's judgment and other authorities. This decision had never been appealed against and, seemingly, during the lifetime of Kahupake’s elders, had never been questioned. When debating the etiquette in regard to the planting of the tree, Kahupake declared that it would certainly perish as a result of her witchery against it. Though the debate dragged on wearily for some hours, and it did not appear as if Kahupake’s ruffled feelings had been soothed, ample justice was done by all parties to the excellent repast of eels which was provided at the hospitable homestead of Mr. Napi Wilson. . ■ -