MAORIS PREPARE FOR CENTENNIAL
(United Press Association)
WHANGAREI, January 31. No woman was allowed to cross the threshold of the centennial whare runanga until the tapu was lifted by a chief. The ceremony of lifting the tapu was performed by the Ngapuhi chief, Kauere, of Otawa, near Kaikohe, in moonlight early yesterday morning. The honour - of being the first woman to enter the sacred portals fell to Whina, the recognized Queen of the Pangaruru, North Hokianga, tribe. The whare runanga remains closed to the public until the official ceremony on February 6 and yesterday’s function was performed to enable women to assist in the final work of preparation. What is believed to be the largest canoe in New Zealand, was launched yesterday at Kerikeri. It was built principally by the efforts of Princess Te Puea. The occasion was unofficial, as the launching of canoes will be a feature of next week’s ceremonies.
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Bibliographic details
Southland Times, Issue 24039, 1 February 1940, Page 7
Word Count
152MAORIS PREPARE FOR CENTENNIAL Southland Times, Issue 24039, 1 February 1940, Page 7
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