ROYAL TOUR All Maori Tribes Welcome Queen

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32253, 23 March 1970, Page 1

ROYAL TOUR All Maori Tribes Welcome Queen

fiVeu? Zealand Press Association) GISBORNE, March 22. Rugby Park, Gisborne, turned on the most colourful event of the Royal tour today when 1000 Maoris welcomed the Queen and members of the Royal Family. About 6000 people, including some 2000 Maoris, surrounded the arena waiting for the Queen to step on to the marae.

The ceremonial welcome by the Maori people was the first time that all the tribal areas of Aotearoa had been so fully represented in one place to greet a reigning Monarch. According to Maori officials, it will probably not occur again in this generation.

The various tribal districts relied greatly on their deep traditions and legends, presenting many hakas, posture dances, action songs, hymns and chants. Every tribe in the South

Island was represented—from Nelson to Invercargill. Their two-part item consisted of the patere or chant action song which listed the tribes of the South Island taking part in the welcome, with great emphasis on Mount Cook from which they gain their strength. The weather was fine but breezy for the presentation, with overcast skies. Since Thursday, Maoris have been arriving in Gisborne. At the show grounds last night more than 2000 were fed by a team of Army chefs. Many of the older Maoris who came to see the Queen were dressed in traditional black garb. The 1000 performers were drawn up in seven groups from the eight tribal districts in New Zealand. Traditional Cloaks The Royal Family arrived shortly after 3 p.m. to be greeted by the Prime Minister (Mr Holyoake), the Minister of Maori Affairs (Mr MacIntyre), and representatives of the Maori Council, wearing traditional cloaks. The Queen and Prince Philip both put on kiwi feathered cloaks before walking to the Royal dais. The Queen was given hers in 1953. On mounting the dais the Queen met Sir Turi Carroll, chairman of the Maori Council and the Bishop of Ao-tea-roa (the Rt Rev. Manu Bennett). Queen’s Speech In her speech the Queen said:— “The strength and vitality of this nation in the future will depend upon the respect and understanding with which Maori and pakeha accept the deep-rooted traditions of the other.

“It is to the great credit of the Maori people that through good times and bad they have remained manly and mild. “There is a wonderful word in your language—aroha—which condenses the concepts of love, friendship, kindness, sympathy and understanding. May ‘aroha’ ever continue to be the basis of life and relationships in this country.” The Queen’s speech was followed by more than 90

minutes of entertainment. It was a colourful setting, the bright green of the Rugby field and surrounding golf course contrasting with the brown Maori bodies and the red, white and black of their costumes. Sun Shone The sun shone brightly throughout the afternoon and the Royal party was plainly enthralled by the entertainment. Each group showed that their tribal districts had something unique to offer. For the finale all the groups joined up in two blocks to farewell the Queen as she walked between them: to her car. The entertainment overran by 15 minutes and the Royal! Family spent another 10 min-! utes talking to the perform-1 ers. The Queen was scheduled to return to the Britannia at 5 p.m. and sail for Tauranga! at 5.30 p.m. As a result of the pro ! longed programme at the park and the two later en-| gagements, the Queen did not : board the Royal yacht till 5.40 p.m.; and the Britannia sailed 25 minutes behind schedule. Gisborne had turned out ini force this morning to see the Queen and other members of the Royal Family drive a milel to St Andrew’s Presbyterian Church from the Britannia for divine service. More than 1000 were at the wharf to see them leave the ship. The Queen and Prince Philip were joined at 10.45 a.m. by Prince Charles and Princess Anne who returned from their brief holiday at Moose Lodge, Lake Rotoiti. After church the Royal party drove to Childers Road Reserve where they were greeted by cheering school children.

The Royal Family slipped easily into their now familiar routine of chatting to the spectators. Their conversations today included many with Maori school children, who seemed a little overawed with the Royal presence. (Saturday’s events: back page.)