Celebrating ten years

Tu Tangata, Issue 9, 1 December 1982, Page 39

Celebrating ten years

The Matauranga Maori Cultural Club from Greymouth, celebrated their 10th Anniversary earlier this year, with past and present members from both the North and South Island’s attending. Those attending the celebrations numbered over 200. The Club was first formed in July

1972, brought about by two ladies who put their ideas to their husbands to form a cultural group to teach their young children the arts of Maoritanga. So the very next Sunday, a meeting took place at the house of Mr Judge Ngarimu where a committee was formed.

Their object was to help teach the children all forms of Maori Culture.

During the past ten years the Club has hosted a variety of groups throughout New Zealand. They have been asked by local groups to teach them all forms of Maori culture, and to perform at functions held on the Coast.

In 1974 members travelled to Christchurch to perform along with other groups in the South Island at the opening of the Commonwealth Games. And the following year in 1975 they also took part in the New Zealand games.

One of the biggest highlights was in 1981, when a contingent from the club travelled to Christchurch to take part in the South Island Maori Netball Tournament. They didn’t fare too well in the Netball Tournament, but that night at the cabaret, the little midget team entered into the Culture, and came first equal with Ngati Moki for the Pitama

trophy. These children worked very hard under the tuition of club members, and have made the elders of the Club very proud of them. Some of their future plans are to promote Maori Language Week, and to visit Maraes in both the North and South Islands.