Maori Culture Clubs

Tu Tangata, Issue 24, 1 June 1985, Unnumbered Page

Maori Culture Clubs

TURANGI

Tongariro Cultural Club:

Contact: Mrs D A Tupe, 8 Rota Street, Turangi. Tel: 8599. Founded by Mrs Kohine Whakarua Ponika in 1980. Members: 40 between the ages of 16 to 60 plus. The club is involved in community activities both locally and out of the district. They are making preparations for regional and Polynesian competitions.

Tongariro High School Culture

Club:

Contact: Mrs Horowai N Maniapoto, Principal, Tongariro High School Waipapa Road, Turangi. Tel: 8684. Founded by Mrs H N Maniapoto in 1967 when Forms 1 to 7 commenced. Prior to this it was the Tokaanu Maori District High School. Members: Currently 30 in the 12 to 17 plus age group. In past years membership has been up to 60 or 70. Some of the clubs activities are as follows:

• Participated with Ngati Tuwharetoa at the South Pacific Festival at Rotorua • Welcomed the President of West Germany at Papiouru Marae, Ohinemutu • Participated in the welcome to Prince Charles and Princess Diana at Waihi, Lake Taupo

• Welcomed Hawaiian delegation to Wairakei Geothermal Station

• 1976 runners up of the South Auckland Secondary Schools Maori Cultural Competition held at Hamilton

• 1977 Senior Aggregate winners of the Pine Taiapa Trophy of the above cultural competition • 1979 visited Rarotonga

•1981 on: Practising for the opening of the Turangi Senior Citizens Building and for the opening of the school marae and working on fund-raising for the latter. Also entertaining at local events and welcoming visitors.

HAWERA

Hawera Intermediate School Maori Club

Contact: David Gibson, cl- Hawera Intermediate School, South Road, Hawera. Tel: 850-30. Founded by David Gibson in 1976. Members: 35 between the ages of 11 to 13. The club performs within the school and welcomes visitors to the school.

Kimihia te Rangimarie Maori Club

Contact: David Gibson, cl- Hawera High School, Camberwell Road, Hawera. Tel: 84-145. Founded by David Gibson in 1980. Members 45 aged between 12 and 18. Besides welcoming visitors to the school and performing there, the club also performs for community and provincial organisations.

They travel in support of members involved in the National Maori Speech finals and marae live-in week ends. Highlights of the clubs activities are:

• 1980: Six day tour of Hamilton, Rotorua, Whakatane and Opotiki

• 1983: Eight day tour of Hamilton, Dargaville, Te Kao, Whangarei, Auckland. Performed for Tongan Rugby team. Performed on Telethon. Backed a New Zealand recording in Auckland.

• 1984: Eight day South Island tour. Welcomed a bus load of Japanese Tourist to a local historic pa site. Performed for French Rugby team.

TAUMARUNUI

Taumarunui High School Maori Club

Contact: Maude Ketekiri Wildermoth, Hohotara Road, RD4, Taumarunui or Taumarunui High School, Golf Road, Taumarunui. Tel: 7179 (day) 4726 (evening). Founded by Maude K Wildermoth in 1973. Members: 48 plus between age of 13 to 17.

Activities include school and community projects, performing powhiri at local marae to dignatories, school pupils, international rugby teams and other visitors etc, Hosting visiting school culture clubs on local marae, nd assisting and supporting local organisation such as Lions, RSA, Police etc. In 1982 visited Christchurch as hosts of the Nga Hau E Wha Cultural Group and also stayed two nights in Wellington.

Two new clubs in Taumarunui Region

Two new cultural groups have been recently formed and further information can be obtained by writing to the following people: Ray Wade, Tongariro Culture Club, National Park; Kiwi Hutu, Post Office Ohura.

OTARA

Te Kupenga Maori Club

Contact: Henare Mahanga, Box 58243, East Tamaki P.O. South Auckland. Phone 2745-136.

Originally formed in 1979. Founder: Henare Mahanga.

The club has three sections, seniors, intermediate, and junior (Midgets) including a junior Maori womens. The club has an overall membership of 560. The club is a charitable and competitive club. It has won 16 Cultural competitions, they have come second in two, and third in two other competitions. It’s participated in 20 competitions all over the North Island.

The club has appeared on the late Prince Tui Teka Television show in 1983. Performed at the Cook Islands constitution celebrations in Rarotonga

in 1982. Performed to many V.I.Ps, in Prisons, in elderly peoples homes, on board tourist ships and to many other organisations.

Tutor: Henare Mahanga. Mother of the club is Mrs Huhana (Sue Kingi).

The youngest performer is four and the oldest is 43.