MAORI RE-UNION

Greymouth Evening Star, 15 September 1934, Page 5

MAORI RE-UNION

PICTURESQUE. CEREMONIES. [per press association.] ROTORUA, September 14. Paying the first visit of any Maori King to the Arawa territory since 1883, when the first King Tawhaio visited Maketu, Koroki, the newlycrowned King, accompanied by Princess Te Puea, and party, and over seventy leaders of the Waikato, Ngapuhi, Tauranga, and Taupo tribes today were welcomed on the Kainga of Ngati Pikiao, one of the largest subtribes of Te Arawa, residing around the shores of Lake Rotoiti. Picturesque and traditional Maori ceremonies were associated with the welcome, Ngati Pikiao mustering hi force to greet the visitors with waving fern fronds and brandies of trees. The ceremony marked the healing of a long standing breach between the Ngati Pikiao and Waikato Tribes. In the speeches made by the leaders of the two parties, the hope was expressed that it would lead to a reconciliajtibn between the whole of Te Arawa, and the King Party. A large hall, erected on the Ngati Pikiao Kianga, was dedicated to two Tobungas attached to the King's party, with traditional ceremony and to the accompaniment of ancient chants sung by the Maoris of old on these occasions. Koroki then turned the key in the door of the hall, in which a large conference of the tribes represented was held during the evening.