MAORI HOSPITALITY.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 19 October 1926, Page 4

MAORI HOSPITALITY.

FEASTING A TRIBAL GATHERING. A PAKEHA’S IMPRESSIONS. While the Maori race of the presentday may have lost some of the customs which added attraction to the stories related by many of trie early pakelias, whose experiences may be reviewed in publications occupying honoured places in New Zealand literature, there is ample evidence that the high reputation for abundant hospitality earned by the rangitiras and their followers, around whom the stories were woven, is maintained in worthy fashion by their descendants. Such was the impression gained yesterday by a pakeha representative of ’the Star who was privileged to spend a short time among some 300 representatives of the Atitawa, Taranaki, Ngatiruanui, and Ngarauru tribes, who were assembled at the Ketemarae pa, or the Ngarongo kainga, as it was originally named by the Araukuku hapu who founded it. The gathering is one of the periodical meetings of Maoris representing the district hounded by the White Cliffs in the north and Waitotara in the south. Not the least important feature of such a gathering is the provision of an abundance of kai with which to regale all in attendance, and the uninitiated pakeha visitor was agreeably surprised at the generous manner in which the arrangements were carried out by the local hapu under the direction of the chieftain, Tonga Awhikau. The visitor, who arrived just as the midday meal was being served, was courteously received and invited to join in the feast. He was also permitted to visit the hangis and kitchens in rear of the long building which, in this kainga, lias been named Putohetohe, where meals are served.. Around the kitchen a score or so of busy cooks were engaged in making the final preparations of the kai with which the dining tables would be laden. POAKA, MANGO, AND MIITI. Poaka tao, mango tao, and miiti tao, as the respective pork, fish, and beef dishes are known, was being removed from the hangis, the shallow pits wherein, on heated stones, they had been baking for two hours. From other hangis kits of taewa tao (potatoes) Were arriving, while from four large boilers water was being taken to furnish, with the addition of the dryleaves of Asiatic tea, a, refreshing beverage necessary to the enjoyment of the meal. Passing rapidly between the kitchen and the dining-room* a stream of assistants carried large, heavily-laden dishes to the tables, where, .steaming hot, they- were deposited in tempting array. Summoned by the chief waiter, the first batch of about 10() diners filed into the hall, which was gaily bedecked with vari-coloured streamers and greenery. Two tables, running the full length of the room, were profusely covered with platters of steaming meat and potatoes, which diffused appetising odours, as well as fruit, confectionery, and sweets, and along the tables were ranged forms on which the diners took thenseats. One of the elder members rose and, in the musical tongue of the Maori, asked the Divine blessing, while the remainder listened with heads bowed in reverence, and gave the response in full-throated unison. Then knives, forks, and spoons were brought into deft play in the approved pakeha fashion, and, for the best part of an hour, the guests, waited upon by a bustling bevy- of attractively attired wahines, showed their keep appreciation of the delicacies furnished. According to particular taste poaka, mango, or miiti, with taewa, were requisitioned, to he followed by- the toothsome punu, fruits, and other sweet dishes. Many managed generous portions of each, and the visitor, who was informed that the full menu must receive attention, made valiant, though not wholly successful, endeavours to hear comparison with the doughty trenchermen.

In reply to an inquiry, the pa.kehn was told that the name of the building, when interpreted, signified fortitude and perseverance, and leaving its precincts to make way for those who would appear at ensuing sittings, he dimly realised that anyone entering to participate in such a feast required to be well endowed with those virtues. His outstanding impression, however, was one of keen admiration of the excellent manner in which hospitality is extended by the Maori race,, but to other palcehas who may be privileged to attend similar functions a judicious period of fasting is sincerely recommended.