MAORI GATHERING

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LX, Issue 11154, 1 July 1933, Page 3

MAORI GATHERING

Opening of Meeting House at Matata IMPORTANT DISCUSSIONS, About a thousand Maoris assembled at Matata during the week-end to celebrate a threefold event. The occasion marked the opening of a large Maori meeting house, named after a former prominent chief. Rangiaohia, in conjunction with the recently renovated Roman Catholic Church; and the unveiling of the Memorial. The ceremony at the meeting house was performed by the Rev. Te Waaka, of the Anglican Church, while Father van Beek conducted the services at the opening of the church and the unveiling of the Memorial Gales, which have been removed from the lagoon front and re-erected near the Matata School. Later, during the celebrations, a large assembly. representative of the various sub-tribes of Te Arawa tribe, sat in “wananga” or-discussiqn in the meeting house. The subject under debate was the definite establishment of a genealogy tree and the original traditions of Te Arawa tribe 'which journeyed from Hawaiki to Maketu. The matter has occupied the attention of the different sections of Te Arawa for forty years, during which time thirty of the Maori leaders; have passed away, but the work has been carried on by their children and grandchildren. Many a keen student of Maori history and lore, both European and Maori, in dealing with the case of Te Arawa, has been puzzled by the inconsistencies existing in the traditions of the various sub-tribes. It is believed that after the progenitors of the sub-tribes that claim descent from Arawa canoe, had , dispersed themselves over the Island, errors and imperfections gradually crept into the original records, and as time went on each sub-tribe formed its own set of traditions, while the original one either died a natural death,' or was otherwise lost. However in recent years, the chiefs of these suh-trihes unanimously decided to establish a more definite set of traditions as far as is possible from available data, or even attempt dilligeut research into all probable resources, to unearth the original set of traditions and genealogy tree of Te Arawa Tribe. After hours of discussion and korero finally the assembly, on Saturday night was unanimous, each sub tribe sinking its petty differences, and agreeing on the adoption of not only one single set of traditions for the entire tribe, hut also one definite genealogy tree. This genealogy tree is to be published and placed in safe keeping for reference of future generations. Among those who took part in the deliberations were:— Te Arawa tribe of Rotorua, represented by Mita Taupopoki, Mika. Aporo, Te Maera Houkotuku, Rangi te Morere Tekirikaramu, Taui Takerei, Pirika te Miroi, Kihi Tumakoha, Heketoro Hikalro, Tuhuruhuru Matuha, Hohepa. Terake, Hunuhunu Hakopa, Kihi Tauira, Tumatahi, Reweti Maraariki, Ropere Temata, Te Pakuru Te Ngaru, Tiaki Awa Te Mata, Te Wirihana Tamati. Te Arawa tribe from Otamarakau. —Te Whare Rangi Puwhakaoho. Te Arawa tribe from Te Puke. — T. Tawa, Te Whiti, Taknira, Ngatoko. Pari Whakaugi, Paora Ngakihi, .Tepotenn Hirini, M. Wihapi Tekoata (Secretary), G. Rangawhenua, Tapore Teia. The Tuwharetoa tribe from Taupo, repreisented by Paora Rokino, Pitiroi Poihipi. The Ngati Manawa tribe from Karatia., represented by Patara Hapurona. Wire B. Peraniko, Toetoe Parakiri. The Ngaitai tribe from Torere, represented by Te Wetini, Mio. Tile Ngatiranginui and Rangataua tribes from Tauranga, represented by E. Hohepa Tauhuroa, Honiana, Henare Werohia, R. Heke. The Ngatlawa tribe from Matata, represented by Hemana Pokiha (Chairman), Huriwaka, Rakau Kaipara, Tiki to Ririapu, Te Wharepapa Te Kohu, Tihini, Karepe Hakopa, Hataraka, Topia.