Navy Adopts Maori Lament

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31823, 30 October 1968, Page 20

Navy Adopts Maori Lament

A touch of naval colour blended with traditional Maori pageantry in Hastings recently when the Royal New Zealand Navy adopted the Maori lament, “E Pari Ra,” as its official slow march.

The ceremony coincided with the official celebrations at the Paki Paki marae for the newly consecrated Bishop of Aotearoa (the Rt Rev. M. A Bennett).

The song “E Pari Ra” was composed by the late Mr P. Tomoana, of Hastings.

The Navy has for some years played the tun? as a slow march on ceremonial oc-

casions and recently received permission from the Tomoana family to adopt the composition officially. The Second Naval member of the Naval Board, Commodore L. G. Carr, presented Mrs Wi Huata, representing the Tomoana family, with a commemorative Royal New Zealand Navy crest and a framed message to the marae from the Chief of Naval Staff (Rear Admiral J. O’C. Ross). Commodore Carr said New Zealand sailors were excellent ambassadors for their country and Maori songs and hakas formed an important

part of the entertainment they presented in other countries. It was appropriate, therefore, that the Royal New Zealand Navy should request the privilege of adopting “E Pari Ra,” one of the most renowned Maori laments, as its, official slow march. “The lament would receive the greatest respect at all times and would become an integral part of the music on ceremonial naval occasions,” said Commodore Carr. The photograph shows Commodore Carr presenting the crest to Mrs Huata.