MOUTOA

Te Ao Hou, Royal Tour 1953, Page 15

MOUTOA by Kaata Photo: K. Newton Among the Many Historic Maori Flags which have been unfurled on important and significant occasions is ‘Moutoa’, which made its first appearance before Royalty at Auckland in 1869, when Prince Alfred, Duke of Edinburgh (the ‘sailor son’ of Queen Victoria and her Consort) visited New Zealand. The flag, of considerable import to Whanganui, now rests in Alexander Museum, and commemorates a pitched battle between hostile Hauhau and a defending Maori force which withstood the threat of the former to drive the Europeans from the settlement and into the sea. The action was fought on the lozengeshaped island of Moutoa, some 45 miles up river from the present city. ‘Moutoa’ was taken to Auckland on that occasion by the redoubtable Major Kemp (Keepa Te Rangihiwinui) and a detachment of his fighting men who joined in the greeting to the Royal visitor. Again, at the turn of the century, ‘Moutoa’ was seen at Rotorua, during the tremendous Maori reception in 1901 to the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York, who were later to become King George V and Queen Mary. With the visit by Queen Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh scheduled for Whanganui early next January it is likely that ‘Moutoa’ will fly again, waving overhead its message of loyalty, and unfurling memories of stirring, anxious and unpredictable days.