MAORI BROADCAST

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 31, 7 February 1939, Page 8

MAORI BROADCAST

WHANGANUI PARTY’S SUCCESS THE COMING OF THE AOTEA The anniversary ot the signing of the Treaty ot Waitangi was marked by a broadcast from 2YA last night by the Whanganui Maori Party. The presentation was under the direction of Ope Whanarere and Ngapaki Metekingi, with Mr. O. Kitson as musical director and manager. Mrs. O. Kitson was chaperone. The coming of the canoe Aotea was described in part one of the programme, the chants covering the choosing of the giant tree from which the canoe was hewn, the shaping ot the canoe, the launching ceremony, the voyage over the vast ocean and the landing at the mouth ot the Patea River. The ancient chants, waiatas, hakas and traditions were heard over the air for the first time last night. This portion of the programme was compiled by Ope Whanarere and Ngapaki Metekingi. The leader of the hakas was Piko Patera, Ope Whanarere led the chants and Tamahina Paamu wielded the taiaha and the mere.

"The Dawn ot a New Day" was the title ot part two of the programme. This incnluded Maori melodies, choruses and solos especially composed end written for the occasion by Mr. O Kitson and Ope Whanarere. The scloists were Messrs. Maani, Haddon, Hunia. Haimona, Alby and Temaari, Mrs. Meri Haimona, Mrs. Parekawa Metekingi and Miss M. Tamehana. The broadcast was highly successful and probably it will be repeated at an early date.