MAORI HUI.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 308, 30 December 1929, Page 5

MAORI HUI.

GATHERIN AT KAIAUA.

KAIAUA, Saturday.

A Maori hui has been held at Kaiaua, the home of Tu Tawhiao Ngakete,_one of the greatest living chiefs, who is a direct descendant of the late King Tawhiao. ■ The meeting, which coincided with, tne Christmas meeting, was held to welcome the neice and nephew by marriage of Tu Tawhiao, Mr. Frank Hunter, and his wife Te Arani, who holds rank in Ngatipaoa, being a first cousin of Te Piiea Herano-i. The visitors were made very comfortable by the hospitality of Taupua tu te Paoa, the wife of Tu Tawhiao. Other notable Maoris of high rank who made the happy occasion conspicuous were Kohi Rangatera Tukua te Rauroha—the son of the famous Kam Taupua te Rauroha, Mrs. Kani (called Kauae of Ngatitipa), Hipi Tipa, of Ngatipaoa, and Raw.iri Te Ua, of Ngatiwhanaunga, also a well-known chief. In typical native ceremony Mr. Hunter was presented with a valuable greenstone hei-tiki (neck pendant); called "kahurangi." This tiki was a very interesting history, and is well known among the Maori people. ■ Mr. Hunter's four months old daughter was presented with several korowai (clothing mats). Mr. Hunter expressed his pleasure to Tu Tawhiao, and everyone retired _to the Christmas dinner. A happier Christmas could not have been spent- anywhere.