SOUTH SEAS CONCERT.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 52, 2 March 1936, Page 9

SOUTH SEAS CONCERT.

WAIKATO, TAMAKI AND ORAKEI MAORIS.

Before a large and appreciative audience a Maori and South Seas concert was given in the Auckland Town Hall on Saturday riiglit by a party from the Waikato, under the direction of Princess Te PueaHerangi, Tamaki performers and a Rarotongan concert party from Orakei pa. The first part of the programme consisted of Maori items, traditional and modern, introducing the story of the voyage of the Tainui canoe, with the songs and liakas of thanksgiving at the safe arrival, and scenes of village life in olden Maori days. The hakas were most stirring and the artistry of the poi dancers was of a quality rarely seen. Village games and a formal powhiri (welcome) to visitors to the pa were shown. A feature was the singing of ancient chants in the quarter-tones which are characteristic of Maori music, but which are difficult for the European ear to distinguish, or the European voice to reproduce. The second part of the programme included interesting island dances and action songs, chiefly of Rarotongan origin. These were performed by artists from Orakei villages, and were in the Rarotongan dialect, which has many words practically the same as their Maori equivalents. A feature of these items was the rhythm of the tomtom accompaniment. All performers joined in the final songs, including "E pari ra, and the National Anthem sung in English and Maori. The Rev. W. . Patiapa, of Mangere. Anglican Maori minister tor the Auckland district, was stage manager, and Mrs. Mere Newton assisted with the organising work. Proceeds are to benefit the building completion fund for the carved meeting house "Mahinarangi" at Ngaruawahia pa, and Nia Hira's fund for the building of a model pa in place of the old Orakei village.