MODEL MAORI PA.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 206, 1 September 1933, Page 2

MODEL MAORI PA.

RATANA AT PATEA.

TURI VILLAGE MEMORIAL.

ARTISANS WITH BRASS BAITO.

(By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent)

HAWERA, this day.

Tahu Wiremu Ratana, the well-known Maori loader, has arrived at Patea. with a party of 62 natives, including a brass band, with the intention of establishing his proposed model Maori pa as a tribute to Turi, the great navigator. Ra tana's view is that the present memorial does not adequately express Maori tradition. The central feature of the village, which is to be situated where Turi actually landed on the bluff overlooking the mouth of the river,- is to be a Maori war canoe carved from wood in the traditional style and bearing the name Aotea. "There will bo no European building in the village. Slabs hewn from standing bush, toitoi and raupo will be used for the construction of buildings. Iron and sawn timber will not be used. Timber will be obtained from some land in the possession of Mrs. Ratana, eight miles inland from Patea. The site is known as Rangitaawhi Tj Wai O Turi, and in it is the celebrated spring Parara Ki Te Uru. It has been handed down from Turi to Ratana through his mother's side. The meeting house will be called Matangirei, after Turi's wharepuni. The party arrived unexpectedly by motor car and lorry, fully equipped, having all the necessary artisans for the work, which will be under the supervision of Ratana. Most of the men are young, and, though residents of Ratana Pa, near Turakina, they represent tribes throughout New Zealand. It is hoped to complete the settlement by the end of October, and the official opening, it is hoped, will coincide with the anniversary of the Ratana movement on November 8. The Maoris will be camped on the site under canvas until the whares are completed. A pakeha hut on the site is ateo being occupied.