NEW MAORI " KING "

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21617, 9 October 1933, Page 10

NEW MAORI " KING "

CORONATION CEREMONY FIFTH OF HIS HOUSE GREATER UNITY OF TRIBES [by TELEGIIA.ni SPECIAL RKrORTKR] JIUNTLY, Sunday On tho day of the burial of his father, Te . Rata Malnita to Whcrowhero, fourth of tho lino of Maori "kings" established in 1858 by the election of Potatau te Whcrowhero to lead tho natives in the vexed question of land acquisition, Koroki was crowned the fifth "king" at a ceremony on the niarae of Waahi Pa this morning. Striking because of its sheer simplicity, the ceremony took place at nine o'clock near where tho funeral casket of Te Rata lay in a wharo, above which fluttered tiio flags, of the house of Te Whcrowhero. Koroki te Wherowhero, who is only 24 years old, wore the kiwi cloak that his ancestor 1 Potatau wore when he was crowned. There was another historic garment of essential interest to tho many Maoris who witnessed the ceremony. It was a kiwi cloak, used by Tawhiao te Wherowhero, son of Potatau, at his coronation, and it was worn to-day by the Rev. R. Haddon, who conducted a Christian service for tho event. Associated with Mr. Haddon were Archdeacon TTori Raiti and tho Revs. Hori Kakuere, Mateno Keepa, \V. Panapa, H. Waaka and Hone Tamati. The service was in Maori. " Tribes United in Love " Mr. Haddon took as his text a part of the first verse of the 95th Psalm, "The rock of our salvation." He said the only rock upon which the people could stand and which would prove to them a firm foundation and a place of refuge, was Jesus Christ. There were still somo foolish people who built their houses upon sand, the preacher said. The great need of the people was amity. It now appeared that they had rid themselves of hatred and strife, conditions which belonged to yesterday. "To-day wo enter into a new life, that of love and better understanding—all our tribes ■united in love," stated the speaker. Ceremony Performed

Tarapipipi Taingakawa Tuwaharoa, a leading descendant of Wiremu Tamihana, the "kingmaker," performed the ceremony by placing a copy of tho Holy Bible upon Koroki's head, and declaring him "King of tlic Maori race, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of tho Holy Ghost." Tho Biblo used was tho ono employed in connection with tho crowning of Potatau and his successors, Tawhiao, Mahuta and To Rata. Prayer was conducted for the assembly, and hymns were sung. Except for a few specially-privileged Europeans, tho service was restricted to Maoris, who showed the greatest interest in tho ceremony. The office of Maori "king," it has been pointed out, is looked upon aB the symbol of unity of the Maori tribes. From the native standpoint it has never been intended as being in any way antagonistic to tho British Crown, and this circumstance has been emphasised by leading speakers during the many inter-tribal discussions held in conjunction with the tangi. It lias been emphasised that tho Maori tribes are more at unity now than previously. Taliu Wiremu Ratana, tho Wanganm "prophet," who did not participate in the coronation ceremony, declared yesterday that his followers would recognise tho new "king."