Polynesian high chiefs gather

Tu Tangata, Issue 21, 1 December 1984, Page 27

Polynesian high chiefs gather

na Charlton Clark

Four of the highest chiefs in all Polynesia gathered at Turangawaewae Marae, Ngaruawahia, in October to launch a major new project aimed at preserving the Polynesian cultures.

In a day of lavish ceremony Te Arikinui, Dame Te Atatirangikaahu and the Maori people welcomed the top people from Fiji, Samoa and Tonga for the inaugural meeting of the Polynesian Heritage Trust.

The leaders were King Taufa’ahau Tupou IV of Tonga, Western Samoan Head of State Malietoa Tanumafili, and Fijian Prime Minister Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara. Together with Tai Tokerau kaumatua Sir James Henare, these three men are the founding trustees under the chairmanship of King Tupou.

Ngai Tahu Maori Trust Board Stephen O’Regan said the idea for the trust arose from a Television New Zealand decision to produce a major documentary series entitled The Polynesian for which he is a consultant.

A book is also to be published in conjunction with the series.

Mr O’Regan said the question arose as to who would benefit from the television series. It was suggested that if the Polynesian people themselves could raise the money to fund the production, a trust could be formed to use the income and resources it generated to benefit their cultures.

It was decided the high chiefs of Polynesia should comprise the trust and begin international fund raising to raise the initial capital needed.

Mr O’Regan said the question of who should represent the Maori people whose leadership is not concentrated in a single person like that of most Polynesian people’s was resolved with the help of Dame Te Ata’s assurance of her support for Sir James.

King Tupou’s leading role in the early negotiations was recognised by his appointment as founding chairman, and the inaugural meeting was held at Turangawaewae at Dame Te Ata’s invitation.

Several governments and major corporations would be approached to contribute towards the cost of producing the television series. Mr O’Regan said there was increasing world-wide interest in Polynesian cultures, and it was expected this would help the fundraising drive.

One of the trust’s plans was to use the masses of unused film generated by the TV series to make video films, which could be distributed throughout Polynesia. It was estimated only 1 metre in 14 of the film shot would ac-

tually be used in the series. One of the major contributions to launching the project had come from former Prime Minister Sir Wallace Rowling, who had helped to develop the financial proposals. But Mr O’Regan said Sir Wallace’s role would change when he took up his appointment as ambassador to the United States next

year. It was envisaged that eventually all the Polynesian cultures would be ineluded in the project, and talks had already begun with a view to bringing such groups as the Cook Islanders, Hawaiians, Easter Islanders and French Polynesians and others into the trust.