DISPLAY BY MAORIS

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 985, 30 May 1930, Page 13

DISPLAY BY MAORIS

ORAKEI HEADMAN TO ARRANGE EVENT

INSTITUTE’S FIELD DAY

The headman of the Xgrati-Whatua Maoris of Orakei, Mr. Otene Paul, is to arrange a demonstration of Maori domestic accomplishments for the anthropology and Maori, section of the Auckland Institute and Museum, it teas announced at a meeting of the Akarana Maori Association last evening.

The demonstration, which will be similar to the field day event conducted last year for the Maori students of the Institute, will be held on a Saturday afternoon, but the date has not yet been arranged. This year, members of the Akarana Association are again to co-operate with the Institute by contributing lectures to the syllabus arranged for the year.

Mr. R. Nepia will speak on sociology among the New Zealand natives: Mr Patrick Smyth, secretary to the association, will give an address on the evolution of written Maori; and Mr. 13. K. Asher will describe the association of the native race and presentday sports. .

The Ngati-Whatua demonstration will be called “te hui o te kapenga," or the assembly of the strands overlooked. In this case, “kapenga” is used figuratively, and its meaning of reeds disregarded in plucking is applied to signify that the Orakei Maoris are the remnants of a vanished people. Such a reference is not uncommon in New Zealand. The followers of Tahu Wiremu Ratana, the Wanganui prophet, are prone to describe themselves as “nga morehu"—the remnants of the Maori race.