Governor-General makes first visit to Chathams

Press, 11 September 1986, Page 15

Governor-General makes first visit to Chathams

PA Waitangi Land-Rovers and farm trucks crammed on to Inia William Tuuta Memorial Airport yesterday as throngs of residents turned out to greet the Governor-General, Sir Paul Reeves, on his first visit to the Chatham Islands. The R.N.Z.A.F. Andover carrying the Vice-Regal party circled the island group before touching down for a karanga (Maori call of welcome). “The islanders were carrying placards last time I was here,” a seasoned visitor said, referring to local reaction to a Government review this year which recommended slashing transport subsidies. This time there were flowers rather than banners. The visiting party includes Sir Paul and Lady Reeves, and their daughter, Sarah; the Minister of Internal Affairs, Mr Tapsell; the member of Parliament for the Chathams, Mrs Ann Hercus; the former member of Parliament for Yaldhurst and now head of an advisory group on the Chathams, Mr Michael Con-

nelly; and members of Te Atiawa tribe. Sir Paul is from Te Atiawa, a Taranaki confederation of tribes whose sub-groups, Ngati Mutunga and Ngati Tama, settled in Wharekauri (the Chathams) in the 1830 s. Today, about 40 per cent of the islands’ 750 residents are Maori. The Chatham Islands County Chairman, Mr Bunty Preece, said the Governor-General’s visit so early in his term was a privilege. “Our ancestors pioneered these islands. They were people from the sea. I believe the Chathams were built on the sands. When the rain came, it washed away. “We are still a fragile community because of our geographical position — a far-flung outpost of New Zealand, far from the airline routes, which makes it difficult to service,” Mr Preece said.

The islands’ future would depend on the commitment of the people themselves. “We have a long way to go yet before we are part of New Zealand," said Mr Preece. Sir Paul greeted the islanders in Maori and said he had come "to listen, to learn, and hopefully, to understand.”