Samoans’ new name for Mr Kirk

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33479, 9 March 1974, Page 16

Samoans’ new name for Mr Kirk

cw Zealand Press Association

AUCKLAND. March 8.

The Prime Minister ( Mr Kirk) was tonight given a new name—“Aumai lelei le igoa ipu a tumua ma pule” —at the first Roy al kava ceremony 7 to be performed in New Zealand.

It was held at the Auckland Town Hall. Mr Kirk, in Auckland to meet representatives of the Samoan branch of the Labour Party, was accorded the same privilege as would be given to a Samoan king — he is, in Samoan eyes, the king of New Zealand — and his title means that he has been accepted by both the Royal families of Samoa. A Royal kava ceremony can only be performed by members of Samoan nobility and involves much ancient Samoan mythology. TEN TIMES Each component for the kava ceremony was brought out and displayed separately.

> all the while accompanied by I shouting youths dressed in. Samoan costume, who brand- 1 , ished machetes to please the .spirits. Then, because tn Samoan . mythology there are 10 skies' ] to the world, the kava had to be offered 10 times before ’ Mr Kirk could drink it. The ceremony was orderly in spite of forecasts that ’ jealousy among Samoans ■ would disrupt the ceremony. Mr M, Faleauto. president ' : of the Samoan branch of the Labour Party, said he had received telephone calls threatening him with death if he held the ceremony — made by jealous rivals, he said, who though he had no; right to offer a title to Mri , Kirk, J

Mr Kirk, accepting the title, said that the matter of Samoan immigration permits ' was now under review and the question of lengthening the permits to six months 'instead of three had been I raised.