AOTEA TUA-TORU Opened at Makirikiri

Te Ao Hou, September 1967, Page 29

AOTEA TUA-TORU Opened at Makirikiri Visitors were challenged by warriors on two platforms erected at the side of the road leading to the marae. The Prime Minister, accompanied by Mr Lui Paewai, picks up the wero-stick as he arrives at the Makirikiri marae. Aotea Tua-Toru, at Makirikiri, near Dannevirke, was opened by the Prime Minister, the Rt Hon. K. J. Holyoake on Saturday 17 June, and blessed by the Metropolitan of New Zealand, Archbishop P. T. B. McKeefry. This new house, built of concrete blocks on a steel frame, and with modern amenities, incorporates old carvings from Aotea Tua-Rua, which stood at Tahoraiti. Also opened was a well-equipped dining room, Te Kurairirangi, which stands alongside the meeting house. In a pre-dawn ceremony. Queen Te Atairangikaahu with her Waikato elders and people advanced slowly across the marae, and were given the name of the house by Taane Nikora and Kurairirangi Paewai, who stood by the

The local people sing an action song during the opening ceremonies. paepae. They then entered the house and completed the ancient kawa ceremony. Breakfast over, the crowd at the marae grew and new arrivals were welcomed. Soon after the presentation of the New Zealand flag and the playing of the National Anthem, the official party arrived. After being challenged as he drew near by warriors on two raised platforms at the sides of the road leading to the marae, the Prime Minister, accompanied by Mr Lui Paewai, and wearing a feather cloak given him 30 years before by Princess Te Puea, was challenged at the entrance and led onto the marae by Mr Taanga Tomoana. There during the welcoming speeches Mr Holyoake was presented with a beautifully worked taniko cloak, which was placed over his feather one. In opening the building, Mr Holyoake refer- Mrs H. Tupai and her friends, visitors from Turangawaewae.

Mrs Taka and Mr and Mrs Rawiri of Pokeno by one of the restored amo. Wearing his beautiful taniko cloak, Mr Holyoake chats to Mr Taane Nikora and Mr Naina Taka. red to the event as a milestone in the history of the Rangitane people. Commenting on the wisdom of incorporating in the new house the carvings of the old, he said, ‘It takes a lot of courage to overcome the emotional ties of the past and change to meet the demands of the modern age. ‘Now this area around Dannevirke can hold its tangis and meetings in a proper manner, with the proper facilities to look after visitors. Today, after years of hard work, the Ruahine Maori Executive Committee and the Maori people here can be justly proud of what they have done. ‘We see here today evidence of the changing needs and culture of the Maori people. You have successfully merged parts of your traditional past with your modern community centre and facilities. ‘I am pleased that you are working hard to maintain and even re-learn some of the great traditions of the Rangitane people.’ Action songs were performed by a local group, and the Waipatu group from Hastings, and the Latter Day Saints choir sang an anthem. The celebrations continued with a delightful hangi meal, and more speeches and items. The local people, in particular Mr Lui Paewai. are to be congratulated on their achievement in erecting this house and on the wellplanned opening ceremonies.