POROPOROAKI

Kaea, Issue 5, 1 February 1981, Page 2

POROPOROAKI

Te Ruahuihui Henare

Noo te marama o Akuhata kua hipa ake nei, ka mate a Te Ruahuihui Henare; he mate kino, he mate taurekareka toona, inaa raa i tukia e te motopaika, mate rawa! He tai-pahake rongonui a ia noo roto ake o Te Aati Haunui-a-Paapaarangi (Whanganui). He kuia maatua ki ngaa morimoringa a oona tuupuna. He raranga kete, he raranga take, he raranga tiienga me eeraa atu mahinga, aae, i a ia ngaa ringaringa aa oona kuia. He wahine maarama hoki ki ngaa koorero me ngaa tikanga aa toona iwi. I teenei raa, kua huri atu ia kite ao ote wahanguutanga.

It was last August that Mrs Te Ruahuihui Henare died in tragic circumstances.

She was well known among her tribe, Te Ati Haunui-a-Paparangi (Whanganui). Rua was a learned elder in the arts of her ancestors, especially in weaving kits, mats, the highly embroidered type of mats and similar works of art. Obviously, she retained the style of her ancestresses. She was also learned in the sayings and customs of her people. Today, alas, she has entered into the world of silence.

Teenei, haere e Rua kite nui Aati Hau.

E tere i runga i too waka, i a Aotea Utanga-nui; Ko te waka teeraa o too tupuna o Turi Ariki. Kauria to awa, a Whanganui. Maataia iho i runga o Pare-te-tai-tonga Ngaa hiikoinga wae o too hauoratanga; Ko te tihi teeraa o too maunga, o Ruapehu. Takoto ko too tinana i ngaa noninga kumu O te raarangi maatua. E Rua, haere, haere, haere!

RUKABROUGHTON

Ralph Olsen

A well-known and highly respected member of the Maori community of Wellington died suddenly at Kokiri Marae recently. Aged fifty-seven, Mr Olsen was of the Ngati Porou iwi, and grew up atTolaga Bay. He had lived in Wainuiomata for the last twenty years.

Mr Olsen had devoted his later years to community affairs and youth activities, and was always concerned for the physical and spiritual well-being of the people. His most recent activities involved working with the youth of Kokiri Marae, either as a carving tutor or pakeke, and was always on hand to guide and assist the people in marae affairs.

He had also given meritorious service and advice to the many community organisations who sought his knowledge. Among them were the 28th Maori Battalion Association, of which he was a member, the Wainuiomata Marae Association, the Wellington Cultural Competition organisation, and the Maori Affairs Department Tu Tangata policies. Mr Olsen had no hesitation in promoting the stance of the people, and was a familiar figure at all the hui throughout New Zealand.

Ralph Olsen also gave his life to God and family. The various church denominations throughout Wellington will remember Ralph for his unselfish devotion to all denominations and the people.

He is survived by his widow and seven children. No reira, e te matua rangatira, ahakoa he iti tenei poroporoaki mou taea kahore e, te whakawhanui. Haere kite arawhanui, ki to tatou kaihanga. Ma te Atua koe e tiaki, e awhina, ake tonu atu.

BRUCE ARANGA