MAORI MEMORIES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 29 May 1939, Page 3

MAORI MEMORIES

“MY PAKEHA.” (Recorded by J.H.S. for “Times-Age.”) Among those fortunate rangatiras who were able to proudly speak of “my pakeha,” public opinion was a ruling factor in maintaining their mutual goodwill in this strange partnership. In the “possession” of an ideal pakeha the rangatira was envied by his neighbours, freely scandalised (tawai kino) and blamed for what services he required of him. In those glorious .old days, “my pakeha” was the goose that laid the golden egg. To kill it or cause its flight to another nest was equivalent to suicide of the “owner.” If, on the other hand, the goose was indifferent to the interests of its poultry keeper, it would get a bad name throughout the district. A first offence such as a dishonest deal in Maori land could never be atoned for by the most industrious and sober pakeha. Wherever he went he would be introduced to all prospective owners either as a pakeha pakeke (a hard case), pakeha tahae (miser), or pakeha kino (a bad lot). The ideal rangatira, much sought by the newly arrived pakeha as his “owner” (tangata nona) was not. by any means hard to find, provided the Maori with his marvellous instinct could distinguish at first sight the essential points of honour and industry. One often wonders at and envies this primitive instinct which seems to have been blotted out by civilisation. One ideal rangatira “owner,” about 70 years old, was active as a cat. He deplored the introduction of pu (guns), which gave no hope of real bravery in warfare. “With the tao or‘the patu (spear or club),” he said. “I have killed seven men before I was knocked senseless. Guns are the weapon of a haua (coward).”