Ahuwhenua Trophy Presented

Te Ao Hou, June 1968, Page 30

Ahuwhenua Trophy Presented Lady Porritt with Mr Whatumoana Paki and Sir Arthur with Dr Pei Jones, about to move forward after the challenge. Those who gathered at Turangawaewae, Ngaruawahia on Monday, 18 March came for two reasons. It was the first visit of the new Governor-General, Sir Arthur Porritt, and the Ahuwhenua Trophy, given by a former Governor-General, Lord Bledisloe, was to be presented to a local dairy farmer, Mr G. C. Hopa. Sir Arthur and Lady Porritt and their daughter Joanna were escorted onto the marae by Dr Pei Te Hurunui Jones and Mr Whatumoana Paki, husband of Queen Te Atairangikaahu. They were challenged by Revd D. Manihera and welcomed by the local women and by a group of boys from St Stephen's College, Bombay. Three elders, Mr Paraire Herewini, Mr Haare Piahana and Mr Eruera Manuera. welcomed Sir Arthur and his party, making particular reference to their pride in welcoming a distinguished son of New Zealand now given the high honour of representing Her Majesty the Queen in his own country. The crowd greatly enjoyed Mr Piahana's Pupils of St Stephen's welcome the guests.

remark that this appointment of a New Zealander was a step in the right direction, and that perhaps the next Governor-General would be of Maori blood. In his reply, Sir Arthur thanked the people for their warm welcome and said he realised the full significance of the day. ‘I pass on, with pride, the special wishes of Queen Elizabeth,’ he said. ‘With the presence of her representative and Queen Te Ata together here today, it is as good an example as we could want of the value of kinship and kingship.’ Sir Arthur referred to the carved stick he brought with him, saying that this was not the first time he had been welcomed to Turangawaewae, and the stick had been presented to him when he visited the marae at the time of the Commonwealth Games in 1950. Before presenting the Ahuwhenua trophy, Sir Arthur said, ‘I am delighted to be making this presentation, for three reasons. First because it is for work on the land. Then, because this trophy was presented by Lord Bledisloe, a beloved former Governor-General of our country. Finally, because Mr Hopa is a fine example of a hard worker. His spirit is one we should all follow. We should all try to produce a little more.’ He then presented Mr Hopa with a Mr G. C. Hopa with the Ahuwhenua trophy. framed picture of the large Ahuwhenua trophy and a smaller cup. After entertainment by the local women and St Stephen's College boys, the viceregal party had lunch with Queen Te Atairangikaahu. Hosts and vistors enjoy a joke during the speeches at Turangawaewae.