GOODWILL VISIT

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 78, Issue 7017, 9 February 1949, Page 8

GOODWILL VISIT

by rarotongan party TO KAWHIA AND MAKETU A party of Rarotongans on a goodwill and social visit to their Maori brethren were in Kawhia on Friday, Saturday, and part of Sunday, January 14, 15, and 16. On the Friday evening they gave an entertainment in Ward’s Hall, which was densely packed by an interested and curious crowd, who frequently applauded the items presented by the visitors. On the Saturday a big gathering was held at Maketu Pa. It was then emphasised that the first objective was to visit the descendants of the Maoris who arrived in New Zealand by the first Seven Canoes. Secondly since the environment of the people and possibly the language ha<i changed so much, the Rarotongans had decided to visit the New Zealand Maoris to compare their genealogical tables for the purpose of comparing their relationship with the people of Cook and other South Sea islands. Since their arrival in the Dominion they had concentrated on North Auckland and the Waikato, as the people were the ancestors of one who came in one of the canoes—Tamatea Pokaiwhenua in the Maori language and Tamatea Takapinenia in the Rarotongan. That particular ancestor was the originator of the Ngati Takitumu, the tribal name of the Rarotongans, also of Ngati Kauu of Kahu. The party purposely visited Maketu Pa as it was the landing-place of the Tainui canoe. The very large crowd from all parts which had assembled therefore witnessed a very sacred ceremony on the marae in Kawhia Maketu, where war dances and sacred incantations were recited by the Tumukorero (or speaker of the Royal House of Makea Ariki and Pa Ariki of Ngati Takitumu, Rarotonga. The ceremony was witnessed by a large gathering of Maori people in the presence of Princess Te Puea and Princess Piki Koroki, daughter of the King. Raetia Te Puretu, the speaker, after reciting the incantations, gave the genealogical table of Hoturoa, the original high priest and captain of the Tainui canoe, an oration which was very much appreciated by the gathering. The Rarotongan party presented to the marae of Mlaketu island mats, Tiuaeuae and a replica of the Tainui canoe, supposed to have been built from the original Kauariki, the timber of which the canoe was built. On Sunday the party attended a special service, conducted by Rev. Hemi Tata, of Ngaruawahia, in the Kawhia Methodist Church, which held a crowded congregation. Thereafter the Rarotongans left for Te Kuiti, from where they went on to Waitara.