AN OUTPOST OF MAORITANGA by Toby Rikihana Hidden away in the southernmost portion of the South Island, 17 miles from Invercargill, lies the small town of Bluff. In this town which shelters beneath Motupohue hill, I found a small compact Maori community amidst a predominantly pakeha settlement, furthermore a Maori community keen on preserving its identity or Maori status through supporting its tribal committee, and through the learning of waiata, haka and action song. This keenness was evident when the local Maori people farwelled the Queen and when they entertained the visiting Fijian athletes. From what I could gather the local people are descendants of the Ngai Tahu, Ngati Mamoe and Waitaha tribes. Located in this area are several well-known southland families such as the Whaitiri, Bradshaw, Te Au and Tupi families. Fishing plays an important part in the activities of these people due to the proximity of the town to the sea. The Bluff is perhaps best known as the source of the titi and the oyster in the Maori world. Most of the locals have interests in the mutton bird islands and annual visits are still being made to these islands. Bluff's population may be termed a floating one, due to the influx of young seasonal workers from other areas. These workers most of whom are Maori lads from the North Island find temporary work at the local freezing works and increase the population by five or six hundred. These young Maori visitors play an important part in the Maori activities of the community due to their knowledge of Maori culture. With the commencing of new civic projects such as the construction of the new Bluff wharf, the Maori population may perhaps undergo an overnight change. Permanent work will soon be assured and it is possible that a number of these seasonal workers will become permanent residents. Old South Island Waiata The Maori people of Bluff unlike several other communities are fortunate in still having several elders in Tom Spenser, Ted Cameron, Mick Anglem and Maramu Te Au from Invercargill and also elderly women in Riti Cross, Ani Rita, Hilda Anglem and Phyllis Shephard. I once heard Maramu Te Au recite an old South Island waiata beginning “Whakarongo ki te tangi a te ruru.” He suggested that it be taught to the young people. As I listened to him I could not help but think how fortunate these people were in having such elders, and also how close we were to the time when watching and listening to these old timers of the South would be but an item of history. This community of Bluff is again fortunate in being served by an active tribal committee under the chairmanship of Bob Whaitiri. At a meeting of the Maori people with representatives of the Invercargill governing bodies the main topic under discussion was the part that the Maori people were to play in the Southland Centennial Celebrations. Plans were brought forth, discussed, finalised and promptly acted upon. On the appointed day the Maori people appeared in full force and did full credit to the Maori people on the two occasions that they appeared before the public. Every Maori community should have its marae or civic centre and so whilst Auckland has its Community Centre and Wellington its Ngati Poneke hall so Bluff has its Whare Maori. A marae consisting of an assembly hall or whare nii and an open courtyard is essential to Bluff. Through the existence of a place of this nature I think that there is a greater opportunity, than there would otherwise be, for the promotion of the spirit of co-operation and understanding between the two races. A good illustration of this is the meeting—already mentioned—between the Maori people and the Invercargill representatives, which was held in the Whare Maori, a meeting to make plans for a combined effort of both races in marking the Centenary of the Southland Province. A marae would give the people a sense of belonging to something, a quiet pride in something that is Maori yet something they can call their own. Unlike the centres of Auckland and of Wellington which cater for any number of people, the Bluff centre has been found to be small on numerous occasions so efforts are now being made to have a newer and bigger hall erected. Receiving little response from some