MAORI QUEEN HONOURED

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32528, 11 February 1971, Page 7

MAORI QUEEN HONOURED

(N.Z. Preen Association? PALMERSTON NORTH, Feb. 10. The Maori Queen, Dame Te Atairangikaahu, has become the first New Zealand citizen to receive the Freedom of the City of Palmerston North. Surrounded by about 100 members of her Waikato people, she arrived in the city square shortly after 11 a.m. to mark the first time Waitangi Day has been officially celebrated in New Zealand outside of Waitangi. A crowd of up to 3000 welcomed the Maori Queen and most stayed through the two hours of ceremony preceding the handing over of the Freedom of the City. The ceremony was in three stages, an official welcome to the Mayoral party, a Maori welcome to Dame Te Ata and

reply from the Waikato, and an official welcome. She said she was deeply honoured by the very fine gesture the city had made to her. She said she prayed all citizens, Maori and pakeha, would continue to prosper in harmony and good will. The Mayor (Mr D. B. Black) signed a petition praying that Waitangi Day be recognised as a national holiday in lieu of provincial holidays, and handed the petition round the official party. Hangis were opened up round the square after the end of the ceremony.