Maori wars on again
The Maori will fight the pakeha once again at the Waitangi Day celebrations at the Seven Canoes marae, near Kaiapoi, on Sunday. For the peace-loving there will be other diversions. The founder of the marae, Mrs Te Puke Watson, said that there would be a picnic atmosphere, and those who did not feel like a war could copy Hone Heke and chop down a flag pole. Christchurch personalities would be kidnapped and ransomed and the person in the best period costume would win a prize.
Another "Treaty of Waitangi” would be drawn up, outlining the year 2000 "the •way we want it,” said Mrs Watson.
The theme of the celebration would be “Waitangi Dav the way the South wants it.”
Everyone was welcome at the celebrations, which would be held at the Hukanui Pa. Woodford Glen. Any proceeds would go to the marae building fund. The Seven Canoes marae is the first multi-racial marae in New Zealand.
The marae flag will be hoisted for the first time on Sunday, at lOaan. The New Zealand Army Band will hoist the flag after a short recital. It will then play until 11.30 a.m. before leaving
to prepare for another en« gagement.
The marae flag was de« signed by Mrs Te Puke Watson’s 16-year-old son, Raymond Bradley. The central figure is the godhead and its protruding tongue has been split, which indicates the acknowledgement of cultures other than Maori. Mrs Watson says that this is the first time in the history of the Maori culture that the tongue has been split. The figures on either side of the godhead are marine birds, which are pressing against the head to keep the Maori culture intact. The heads and beaks of the birds are ever watchful for other cultures in the world.
The fish tails through the beaks of the birds symbolise the "ever readiness and awareness of my Maori people to learn the cultural good of other nations,” said Mrs Watson.
The arms of the godhead are resting on the sea.
The designs at the top and bottom of the flag are in the marae colours, black, brown, and white.
Squath.—Australia’s Heather McKay will defend her British women’s open squash championship this year. Mrs McKav will be attempting to win the title — regarded as the virtual world championship —- for tha sixteenth consecutive year
Maori wars on again
Press, 3 February 1977, Page 8
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