Multi-cultural study by Lions

Press, 26 August 1982, Page 24

Multi-cultural study by Lions

A visit to Rehua marae. in Springfield Road, by the Christchurch Lions Club went ahead on Tuesday evening in spite of the absence of local Maori kaumatua (elders). The elders were attending the tangi (funeral) of Mrs Oliver Haddon, of Taumutu, at Putiki Pa, near Wanganui. Members of the Lions Club wre welcomed on the marae by two of its trustees, Mr Terry Ryan and Mrs Jane Manahi. Children of the Kotahitanga culture group, led by Mrs Tihi Pounaki. performed before the meeting. A purpose of the visit was to discuss the meaning of the word multi-cultural, and discrimination. It was the ideae of Mr Chris Mountford, Can-

terbury Conciliator for Race Relations and a club member and Mr Max Busby, convener of programmes for the club. It was also a response to a challenge put to the club by Mr Hiwi Tauroa, Race Relations Conciliator, in March this year. “He drew our attention to the fact that a whole group of middleaged men had no idea about the Maori community.” said a Christchurch Lion, Dr Roy Holmes. The meeeting was addressed by Mr Sam Mavaega, chairman of the Maori and Polynesian Advisory Council (Christchurch), and by Mr Monte Daniels, a treacher of Maori language in Christchurch.