Romantic Life of the Maori Race Unfolded in Radio Pageant

Radio Record, Volume I, Issue 29, 3 February 1928, Unnumbered Page

Romantic Life of the Maori Race Unfolded in Radio Pageant

Ss onion 3 ai at itt 7 i; SHEL ee NOW New Zealand! ‘Breathes there a man with soul so dead who never to himself hath said, ‘This is my own, my native land?’’’? ‘Then, ‘‘Know New Se Zealand!" By birth or by adoption, it matte:s not which, it is your land, the land whereon you live and move and have your being, a beauteous land into whose lap Nature with bounteous hands has oured a rich alundance of her choicest gifts-a goodly land we all should know, and knowing, love more dearly as our own. This is the thought and purpose behind the Radio Broadcasting Company’s presentation of this wireless pageant commemorative of the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi, which, in the form of a unique informative entertainment, is to be broadcast from 2YA on the evening of the anniversary of the consummation of that historic pact. What more appropriate than an event of such signal significance and importance to Maori and Pakeha alike could have been chosen to initiate a sustained effort to bring home to the people of the Dominion, and especially to the young folk of both races, a deeper knowledge of the affairs of their country, a clearer conception of its worth as one of the brightest gems of the Kmpire, and a more vital realisation of the obligations of our individual citizenship ? Plotting together for the common weal, TWuman Genius and Science have worked many wonders silce that far-off day when Maori and Pakeha penned their sienatures to the Treaty of Waitangi; but by far their most beneticent gift to the world has been the adaptation of the miracle of wireless teleyraphy to the broadeasting of music, song and story into the homes of the people. As did the Bards of old attuue lesend and tradition to the facts of history and with melodious song and winsome story endow their hearers with knowledge and appreciation of their country’s elories so in these later days shall not the Bard of Radio, whose voice ranges triumphant over the limitless leagues of space, male informative entertainment the medium whereby every New Zealander shall he enabled to "Know New Zealand" as New Zealand deserves to be knowa,

AND so, in fitting complement to this modern miracle, you are tu hear from the representatives of a noble race, a race deep-rooted in an ancestry of dauntless warriors, the story of a people’s emergence from the rugged simplicity of their natural state into a full partnership in all that [uropean civilisation means to the world. The Wanganui Maori Party, to whom has fallen the honour of broadcasting this entrancing tale, will not weary you with a tiresome narrative. ‘They will present the pages of their history in melodious song and piquant story-and ’tis common knowledge that the melody of the Maori is as the fragrance of the rose, a natural heritage. Indeed, as Mr. Hamiora Hakopa will tell you, in order to assist in creating the right atmosphere "for the presentation of their entertainment, the organisers have drawn upon the Hon, Sir Apirana ‘I. Ngata’s great poem, "Scenes from the Pust,’" and it is in the fine poetic spirit of that work that the six phases of this remarkable programme have been framed, It is a yery clever, a very appropriate classification, entailing, we haye no doubt, much studious preparation. It gives us the Maoris, as they were, if not literally from Genesis to Revelation, then assuredly from their Advent to these shores tight up to this happy cra of Maori-Pakeha brotherhood, with adequate, eloquent and picturesque Revelation of the intervening episodes, Phase One portray THE COMING OF THE MAORIS to these shores. Let it Ie noted here that this most interesting beginning of a wholly interesting tale, as also the five subsequent instalments, will be told by a Maori in Knelish language, Just as he hes written it, so shall listeners hear it from his lips. This is in itself pleasantly significant. Interpret its significance in conjunction with the fact that others who are to speak to you on this memorable occasion are also Maori gentlemen of high academical and political distinction, ranking in fall equality with the foremost scholars and statesmen of their Vakecha Ivethren, and you will realise how full of absorbing interest must Le the story of a race which within the brief span of one hundred years has stepped completely out of primitive savagery into full and intimate equality with the Pakeha,

Following the introductory narrative, the members of the Party will reproduce for listeners as correctly as possible the scenes of the historic landing of the Maoris--or shall we say the Polynesian pioneers --on Aotea Roa, the Long White Cloud. ‘They will endeavour to bring before your mental vision the picture of the frail craft-the canoe-with its luman’ reight away in the distance, making towards the shore, the solemnity of the actual landing, and the subsequent ceremonial of thanksgiving. Here, though you cannot see what is taking place, you will hear the thud, thud, thud of dusky feet keeping fierce but rhythmic time to the lusty chanting of the Haka of Thanksgiving-and whether it be that you have never heard a haka before, or that you are familiar with its awesome spectacle, your heart will be ice cold if it is not thrilled by this radio presentation of an incantation which is aflame with the indomitable spirit of warriors who even in their savagery were wont to fight and die like gentlemen, In the next phase 2YA will introduce you to THE MAORIS AT HOME IN THE EARLY DAYS, and as you sit in the quietude of your homes there will unfold a yision of primitive industry in a setting of primeval Peauty. You will visualise the old-time Maori yvillaye, or pa, with its wharepuni, or mectingheuse, standing out in imposing contrast to the more humble dwellings of the inhabitants, and you will find the inhabitants themselves spending their time wefully, interestingly, and, not infrequently, strenuously, You will actually hear some of the boys at play, their pastime at the moment you happen to be listening being "eats? cradle"? aud "mate mate." But suddenly the quictude and routine of village life is disturbed. A couricr has announeecd the coming of visitors. What a commotion! ‘The haka party must be mustered and hurried to the entrance of the pa to await the coming of the visitors; the rest of the people must be assembled in the marae ready to join in giving the coming guests a fitting welcome, Tisten to that weird melody. The exchange of greetings | Which do we hear first, the visitors or the lhosys? But no matter, ’tis good hearing-the chanting, the singing and counter-singing, the thud (Continued on page 2.) fa ie va TN AVE MEAT 1 lz a ANAL WA 5 ’ AVA VAT Hi ~ ’ RE ~_ ~~ ~~ — a ee Oe + OD "OO or ae Sana a A

Romantic Life of the Maori Race--Continued

of the haka, what a time! what a time! for all" concerned. Yet every step must be taken decently and in order-the welcome, the speeches, the feasting, all must be in strict accordance with an etiquette as rigid as ritual, In this phase you will hear the girls and boys of Wanganui in an ancient ‘Poi’; the men of the Party in the grand haka "Tua ka Tau," led by Rope Tamariki; instrumental music, songs, and perhaps some more stirring hakas. Then, ‘wi the third phase, comes THE DAWN OF A NEW DAY, the first of. two scenes designed to depict the beginnings of great movements, spiritual and_ political, which were in the ensuing years to altogether revolutionise the conditions of life and conduct of the Maori people. Here we have the coming of the Mossionaries, the sowing of the seeds of Christianity, followed, unhappily, by the misunderstandings which led to the tragedy of the Maori Wars. Happily the days of strife have long since passed away, and today the two races live as one in friendly relationship beneath the Union Jack, sharing the privileges and responsibilities of a common citizensltip. It is in ~this phase that the Hon, Sir Maui Pomare,- who as _f Parliamentary representative of the Maori electorate Cabinet rank in the Government, will tell you about the Treaty of Waitangi. The fourth phase, THE MAORIS IN THE GREAT WAR, will be opened with an appropriate instrumental selection, and the chorus "Ope ‘Tautahi."" This will introduce the Prime Minister of the Dominion, the Right Hon. J. G. Coates, whose soldierly record must give the emphasis of sympathetic and appreciative comradeship to the eulogy he has so gladly consented to voice. His theme will be ‘‘The Maoris’ Part in the Great War,» and who better could pay tribute to their valour than one who saw service with them iu) the same grim arena and shared with them the perils and privations of those dreadful years? There is in the Dominion to-day probably no man_burdened with a harder, more continuous, or heavier

strain of duty than tat which is pressed upon’ the shoulders of Mr. Gordon Coates. He has the reputation of being a tiger for work, and the seemingly nuending claims upon his time and attention keep him going at high pressure early and late, day in and day ont. ‘Nhat he should have seen fit to literally "make time’ to voice this eulogy is evidence of the warmth and sincerity of his appreciation of the part so nobly played by the young men who in the hour of trial proved themselves worthy descend ants of the warrior rangitiras from whom they sprang. After the Prime Minister has spoken, listeners will hear one of the most impressive, as well as beautiful, items of the evening, the singing of the Memorial Hymn, "Piko nei te Matenga" ("When Our Heads Are Bowed With Woe"), which has been specially dedicated to the memory of those who fell. In more lightsome vein, "the fifth phase will picture THE MAORI IN SONG AND PLAY TO-DAY. Here will be demonstrated, with music and song, something of the progress the Maori has made during the intervening years Quite a number of very delightful items are to be presented during this stagesongs, choruses, elocutionary numbers, etc, By the way, in connection with the "Long Poi," if you will listen closely you will hear above the music the rhythmic motions of the poi balls as the performers manipulate them. . IN REMINISCENT VEIN. The sixth phase provides an apt finale, its purpose being to help listeners to visualise in the peaceful happiness of our present day the handiwork, as . it were, of the departed generations-the beneficent influence of the forces for good operating throughout the preceding phases of the evening’s entertainment, Here, again, music and song will be the illustrating mediums, and what more apt than, following the concluding excerpt from Ngata’s beautiful poem, the whole company should unite in the singing of "Home, Sweet Home," and the National Anthen.