NEW MAORI KING

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXIII, Issue 300, 2 December 1933, Page 9

NEW MAORI KING

Visit to Taupo Tribe EARLY EVENTS RECALLED An event of considerable importance to the Maori people will take place aff tho southern end of Lake Taupo on December 6, when Te Rata Koroki, who recently succeeded to the Maori kingship, is expected to make an official visit to Waihi, tho historic headquarters of the Tuwharetoa tribe and their chiefly line, the Te Heuhcu family. Invitations to visit their territories were recently extended to the new king by various sections of the Maori race, and among these was one offered on behalf of the Tuwharetoa people through their present chief, Hoani Te Heuheu. No such official visit outside the territory of the Waikato tribes most closely identified with the “King” movement has been made since the proclamation of the first king, Potatau Te Wherowhero, at Rangiaowhia, in June, 1858. In Maori circles the forthcoming visit will bo regarded as a significant step in the establishment of closer relations between the various tribes.

That Te Rata Koroki’s first official visit outside Waikato territory should be made to the Tuwharetoa country is peculiarly fitting, in view of the circumstances attending the foundation of the Maori kingship. The setting up of a head chief or “king” to unite the different tribes had been discussed for several years prior to 1858, but for various reasons the chiefs approached were unwilling to accept nomination. Among those who thus declined was Ts Heuheu Iwikau, the great Tuwharetoa leader, brother of the first Te Heuheu. In 1857 a meeting of Maori chiefs and delegations from many parts of New Zealand was held at Poukawa, on the lake shores near Waihi. There, under the guidance and with the approval of the Tuwharetoa leader, the kingly title was bestowed upon Potatau, who was formally proclaimed in the following year. The visit to Waihi will be widely approved among the Maori people, in view of the historic associations of the locality and the Tuwharetoa chiefly family with the choosing of the first king. As it has been picturesquely phrased, “Poukawa is still here, Poukawa is still calling.” It is probable that this initial visit will be followed by others, and it is possible that Ohinemutu and Maketu, centres of the Arawa people, may next be visited.