MAORI RITUAL

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 792, 12 October 1929, Page 18

MAORI RITUAL

Etiquette at Museum Opening KOHUPAKI AND RATANA Kohupaki. the Maori woman who gained prominence when she places a spell on a tree eventually desirov»2 when the Mount Eden reservoir bu'rais not inclined to attend the Maori ceremony at the War Memorial Museum opening. lal At least this is what the Akarana Maori Association has heard, it the tree planted on Mount Eden bv tha association which aroused the an tagonism of Kohupaki. who maintained that there has been an infrincement i of tapu. 1 Kohupaki claims descent from tha Waiohua people, the first possessors of the Auckland isthmus. she declared Mount Eden, once the site of an extensive Waiohua fortification to be tapu. Perhaps she holds the same view concerning the museum site in the Domain, which formerly offered several places for pas. If Kohupaki will not be an interesting figure in the Maori assembly, there is a possibility of the presence of T. W. Ratana, the Maori prophet, of the Wanganui district. Ratana has been invited because he is actually an Auckland native. Those arranging the Maori opening are investigating the etiquette of ritual. Everything possible is being done to ensure the use of correct ancient custom in the ceremonial prore. dure. Mr. George Graham and Mr.

James Rukutai have been discussing ritual with Mr. Gilbert Archey, curator at the museum. Mr. H. E. Vaile, Professor A. P. W. Thomas, and Mr. A. T. Pycroft. INFLUENTIAL NATIVES The most influential natives of the Auckland Province have been invited to take part in the ceremony. Mita Taupopoki, the venerable Rotorua leader; Princess Te Puea Haerangi; and perhaps the “king,” Rata Mahuta, will probably be three of the most important natives present. Ngapuhi, Arawa, Rarawa. NgatiPorou, Ngati-Maniapoto, Waikato, Ngai-te-Rangi, Ngati-Whatua, NgatiTuwharetoa, Tulioe, and Ngati-Mahuta tribes are expected to have representatives, and there will be representation for sub-tribes. The accommodation for visiting natives will be arranged at Ellerslie. Apart from the traditional Maori ceremony, arrangements are being made for the attendance of as many South Sea Islands peoples as possible. Islanders from principal groups such as Fiji, Samoa, Cook Islands, and Tonga are almost certain to be present. Many Islanders fought in the New Zealand forces side by side with their Maori cousins. In Narrow Neck camp today remain the names, written on occasional walls, of Rarotongan soldiers.