Between Tapu and Insult

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 63, 16 March 1936, Page 6

Between Tapu and Insult

DELICATE SITUATION AT NEW MAORI MEETING ROUSE. Of the many Europeans who were present at the opening of the., new meeting house of tho Ngati ltuakawa Maoris at Otaki on Saturday, few were aware of a rather delicate situation that has arisen as a result of the erection of a certain design of “pare” over the doorway. The “pare” is a magnificent piece of carving executed in tho recognised Taranaki style; but unfortunately the central figure represents a woman. Now, it is regarded by the older generation of Maoris as an insult to be asked to cuter a building under the legs of a woman. Tho advice of the pakcha when told of this, was to remove the offensive decoration, but that is not as easy as it seems for seemingly the “pare” has since become “tapu” and nobody is “game enough” to take it down despite the fact that another “pare” of different design is ready to take its place. Many Maoris passed through the doorway at tho official opening on Saturday, including King Koroki, Princess To Puea Herangi and other’ leaders of the native race, but tho idea of passing under those insulting legs is not relished. The uew whure-huihui is of magnificent Maori workmanship and there are carvings not only at the entrance but throughout the interior, with plai tings of innumerable dosign work in between. There is nothing its equal in tho southern end of the North Island at least, even the craftsmanship displayed in the Otaki Maori church paling into insignificance beside it. However, the work of almost a century ago, the church embellishments will never be robbed of their historic significance