GEORDIE BECOMES A CHIEF

Te Ao Hou, September 1966, Page 34

GEORDIE BECOMES A CHIEF On Sunday 22 May, after a service at Rangiatea, the historic Maori Church, where his father read the lesson in Maori, 10-year-old Geordie Fergusson was inducted as a chief of the Ngati Raukawa tribe and given the name Raukawa. It is only the second time that a Pakeha has been given such a position. Before 1892. Huia Onslow, son of Lord Onslow, New Zealand's Governor, was similarly honoured. Mr Rene places the cloak round Geordie's shoulders Geordie was taken from his parents by Canon Hohepa Taepa soon after the family arrived at the Raukawa marae. To the accompaniment of ancient incantations. Geordie walked towards Mr Te Ouenuku Rene, the incantations becoming louder as he drew near. After slipping a kakahu over Geordie's shoulders. Mr Rene led him to a model of the Tainui canoe. There the young chief plucked a hair from his head and placed it in the canoe. He gave greetings in Maori to the Ngati Raukawa elders, telling them that they had bestowed a great honour on him. Later in the ceremony, the Governor-General, Sir Bernard Fergusson, told the 400 people around the marae that he and Lady Fergusson were more touched than he could express for what the Ngati Raukawa had done. He hoped that his son would do his fair share of the rowing and not be merely a passenger in the canoe. Referring to Geordie's induction as being important to racial unity. Sir Bernard said, ‘I have never been more sure of anything in my life than that the blessing of Almighty God lies upon what you have done today.’ He said that his family's friendship with the Maoris dated back to 1873 and he hoped that Geordie would never forget he belonged to two people. Maori elders who spoke said they appreciated the interest Sir Bernard had shown in the Maori people since he arrived in New Zealand, and the Mayor of Otaki, Mr O. H. E. Yates said that no other Governor-General had illustrated so well that Maori and Pakeha were one race.

During his speech the Governor-General refers to the greenstone pendant worn by his son Geordie. It was given to Sir Bernard 25 years ago by Sir Maui Pomare. Dominion photographs In front of the group outside Raukawa are members of Upper Hutt's Mawai-Hakona Club who performed at the ceremony.