MAORI CELEBRATION.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 53, Issue 131, 15 March 1933, Page 3

MAORI CELEBRATION.

GOVERNOR HOBSON WELCOMED. LANDING AT AUCKLAND. (Special to the "Guardian.") AUCKLAND, March 14. A Maori ceremony was held at Orakei village to-day to celebrate the ninety-second anniversary of the official landing at Auckland of Captain William Hobson, first Governor of New Zealand. The anniversary has a particular significance for Orakei, as it was in that bay, known as Okahu Bay, now skirted by the waterfront road, that Governor Hobson was welcomed by the Maoris. What occurred on March 14, 1841, was this, according to the Rev. W. H. Toka, who arranged the celebrations: "In January of that year Te Reweti Tamaki left Orakei village with a party of- Maoris for Paikia to extend to Governor Hobson a Avelcome on behalf of the Ngati Whatua people. On March 14 Hobson arrived in the Waitemata and met the chief Apihai te Kawau at the foreshore of Okahu, now known as the Orakei Native reserve. Over 1000 of the Ngati Whatua people were assembled there, and they gave the first Governor a fierce welcome, 'Haere mai, haere mai, toia mai te weka.' Apihai te Kawau welcomed Hobson with these words; 'Governor, Governor, welcome, welcome as a father to me! There is my land before you (waving his hands northward, say from Tamaki to Maunganui). Governor, go and pick the best part ©f the land and place your people, at least our people, upon it.' . "Hobson then went back to his ship with Te Reweti and next day made another landing, about where Shortland Street? Auckland, now lies. climbed the hill and placed a flag at about the position of Albert Park. As the Union Jack was hoisted the Maoris gave two, special hakas, one for the Waitemata and the other for the raising of the flag. Thus the two peoples came to live together."