Whatumanu Maori Culture Club

Te Ao Hou, September 1967, Page 43

Whatumanu Maori Culture Club On 3 May, a new Maori club was formed at the Hastings factory of Unilever N.Z. Ltd. Membership is open to all employees of Unilever and their families. At the opening, about 100 people were welcomed by the club's chairman Mr John Meha, and the club was formally declared open by Mr John Bennett, chairman of the Heretaunga Maori Executive. Mrs D. Grainer, wife of Unilever's Technical Director, spoke on behalf of the company in her husband's absence, and Mr Taanga Tomoana, when speaking of Maori traditions, stressed the importance of preserving Maoritanga. Action songs, kit making, taniko work, tukutuku and carving were demonstrated, and the enthusiastic committee intends that all these activities will be taught to club members. An interesting display included kits, baskets, mats, weaving, piupiu, taniko, tukutuku panels, tekoteko, weapons, and feathered cloaks and kits. Mr T. J. Collingwood sends us this report of the club's progress:— ‘Since its inception the club has progressed favourably, with meetings held every Wednesday night. On the first Wednesday in every month we have a guest speaker or demonstrator, followed by the club's ‘Manuao Action Group’ practice. So far we have successfully held classes in kit-making, taniko work, poi making, rourou making, and we are currently in the process of making piu pius. We have been greatly assisted by Maori elders and artists who have given of their time to assist the club in its cultural activiies. ‘The membership, excluding school children,