Maoris Welcome The Macmillans To Marae

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28491, 22 January 1958, Page 12

Maoris Welcome The Macmillans To Marae

(New Zealand Press Association)

AUCKLAND, January 21. Maoris clapped and cheered today when their elder told the British Prime Minister (Mr Macmillan) that they “felt frustrated” about the short time they were given to welcome him to Turangawaewae Pa, the marae of King Koroki. “We hope that before you go you will be able to arrange for the Queen Mother to spend a full hour with us,” said the Rev. Ngapaka Kukutai, speaking through an interpreter, on behalf of King Koroki. He said the Secretary of Internal Affairs (Mr A. G. Harper) and other Government officials seemed to “be ruled by minutes.” Under instructions from officials of the Internal Affairs Department, elders of the tribe had to cram their welcome into 15 minutes. The remaining quarter of an hour had been set aside for tea and cakes. Leading the welcome was Teuira Tuteao Manihera, the 50-year-old descendant of Chief Roto Kiwi, who challenged the visitors at the entrance to the marae. He brandished the same spear —or taiaha—which has challenged the Vice-President of the United States (Mr Richard Nixon), Viscount Montgomery. Lord and Lady Mountbatten. th£ Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh. It is trimmed with horse hair from the stables of the Royal greys in Britain. Teuira obtained the hair when he visited Britain with the Waiata Maori Choir in 1937. During the short time the elders had with the party they expressed their regret that the full Maori

welcome and full Maori dinner could not be arranged as the time allowed was far too short. . However, the official party was able to see something of Maori life and customs and the carvings in and around the meeting house. . A small party of Maori girls sang and gave demonstrations of poi dances as the party moved about the marae.