“HOTONUI”

Thames Star, Volume LVII, Issue 16512, 12 June 1925, Page 5

“HOTONUI”

STORED IN A SHED. AWAITING THE MUSEUM. SOME MORE HISTORY. AUCKLAND. June 12. If evidence were wanting of the need for the erection of the new museum in the Domain, it is demonstrated by the fact that amongst the treasures waiting for room in which to lie displayed, is the fine carved Maori house from the Thames, which is now stored in a shed. As this house is 80 feet in length, and 33 feet in width, as well as 24 feet in height, it was quite impossible it could be shown in the present buildings. Formerly, tbs house belonged to the late W. H. Taipari, of the Thames, and the erection, as well as the fine carvings, were the work of the Ngatiawa tribe. The story of the building of this house is an interesting one. When Apanui Hanmiwaho was chief of the Ngatiawa tribe, his daughter, Mereana Mokomoko, was, given in marriage to file Thames chief, Taipari. Apanui promised his daughter a carved house, and the work was started in May, 1875. Three years later the carving of the posts was finished, and about 70 of the Ngatiawa tribe went to Hauraki, taking with them all the material for the house. The fare of the party with the freight on the material, cost £l7O. The first post erected was named Awhiowhio, after a chief of the Ngatiwhanaunga tribe. It is stated that when an attempt was made to place the ridge pole of the house in position, all efforts were unavailing, until Paroto Manatawhiovangi had repeated the incantations known as “the raising of-the Tainui,” when the great beam of wood was at once lifted upwith ease.

During the erection of the house a large number of the Ngatiawa visitors were smitten with disease. This visitation was attributed to some of the women having inadvertently committed sacrilege by burning in a fire to cook food for the workers, some chips from the chisel of the chief Apanu:. The sickness was so severe that several of the Ngatiawa died. The chief’s daughter, Mereana Mokomoko, was. told that she must remove the spell, otherwise the rest of the Ngatiawa would die. The old men said .to her, “Fear not, you are equal in maim to Apanui, your father. You alone can remove the spell which is destroying the Ngatiawa.” A fire was then made with' the chips made,from the carvings of the house, and on this two kumaras v<ere roasted. These were given to Mereana Mokomoko to eat. After that the epidemic was stopped. When the house was completed, a tohunga named’ Molii Takororeka was brought from Opotiki to perform the necessary ceremonies to make the building free from tapu. Then the men entered first and ate food therein.

After that Mereana Mokomoko and two other- women, Kitimata Kiritahanga and More Taipari, crossed the threshhold in order to remove the enchantment which debarred females from going into a sacred building until that ceremony was performed. Had that not been done it was believed the ridge pole would sag in the middle and destroy the 1 appearance of the house. The ridge pole was carved by Hotereni Taipari, and named after his ancester Hotonui, which is the name of the house. The Ngatiawa who erected this house would not accept any payment for their labours, beyond their food. After they had started for home, Hotereni Taipari said to his daughter-in-law, “Mv daughter, do you take this letter quickly to the Bank of New Zealand at Tauranga, and when our friends the Ngatiawa reach that place, give them the money the bank manager will pay you.” Mereana Mokomoko hurried to Tauranga. across country, and meeting the Ngatiawa when they arrived, said “Behold, J have brought you a gift from your grandparent, Hotereni Taipari,” The lady who afterwards related those facts to the late Captain Gilbert Mail’ said, “£IOOO in -ingle bank notes did I give them, and the Ngatiawa went on their way rejoicing.”