Ancient Tiki Returnedat Coronation Celebrations

Te Ao Hou, September 1968, Page 24

Ancient Tiki Returnedat Coronation Celebrations The highlight of this year's coronation celebrations at Turangawaewae, Ngaruawahia, was the return, on 26 May, the final day of the hui, of an ancient tiki to the Arikinui. It was brought by Mr J. F. Henning, Ambassador of the United States of America, on behalf of a retired United States Admiral, Stanley D. Jupp of Charleston, South Carolina. During World War II, as a Commodore, he was commanding officer of the U.S. Navy base at Auckland. Princess Te Puea's diary shows that Commodore Jupp paid a final visit to Turangawaewae on the afternoon of Sunday, 9 July 1944. Many of the elders of Waikato, some Pakeha friends of Princess Te Puea and the guests of honour were entertained to tea by King Koroki and Queen Te Atairangikaahu, parents of the present Queen. The only elder alive today who was present then is Mr Hori Paki, now 103 years old. Following afternoon tea, Commodore

Jupp was taken by King Koroki with Queen Te Atairangikaahu and Princess Te Puea into King Koroki's private sitting room where King Koroki presented the tiki. The rule of the Kahui Ariki of Waikato not to give old treasures to Pakeha was broken on this occasion, because Commodore Jupp had been largely responsible for the very good relationship between the American armed forces in New Zealand, and the Maori people. Princess Te Puea and Commodore Jupp had worked hard to bring this harmony about. The tiki, known as ‘Whiua Te Aroha’ had for generations been worn by the senior wife of the Ariki of Tainui, Whakaawi, the senior wife of King Potatau always wore it, as did Hera, wife of King Tawhiao, Te Marae, wife of King Mahuta, Te Uranga, wife of King Te Rata, and Te Atairangikaahu, wife of King Koroki and mother of the present Queen Te Atairangikaahu. Admiral Jupp, writing of his wish to return the tiki, said, ‘In a certain ceremony at the Pa at Ngaruawahia, this tiki was removed from around the Queen's neck and placed around my neck. ‘At this time, I was the representative in New Zealand of the Commander, South Pacific Area. Later, I was detached from my duties in New Zealand, and much later I was in command of the battleship U.S.S. Idaho. At the time this ship steamed into Tokvo Bay with the fleet, to be present at the Japanese surrender, I wore this tiki next Mr J. F. Henning, United States Ambassador in New Zealand, returns ‘Whiua Te Aroha’ to Queen Te Atairangikaahu. Absorbed in the cultural competitions, the guests of honour with Queen Te Ata and her two children, Maharaia and Mihi. to my skin all the time I was on the bridge of the ship. I did this because I knew how much my many friends in New Zealand had contributed to this final victory and felt this tiki would represent them, in part, by its being there on the bridge of a powerful

ship of war. ‘It is such an ancient tiki, worn smooth by generations of the female ancestors of the Queen, that I feel this tiki belongs back in the line of women who produced many of the people I learned to love and admire.’ Elders at the ceremony welcoming the Ambassador and Mrs Henning spoke of the people's joy over the return of the tiki. Mr Paraire Herewini said, ‘It is quite wonderful that the thought did finally occur to the recipient to return the tiki, without any knowledge of the traditions of our race.’ Before these welcoming speeches, the tiki, placed on a feather cloak, had been carried to Mahinarangi's verandah by Mrs Henning. A combined church service followed, then the welcome, and gifts were presented to the visitors. Mr Henning then greeted the people, saying that he was honoured to be the one to return the tiki. He said he was pleased to have been present at the ecumenical service and felt that religion should be the means of uniting and not dividing the children of God. He continued, ‘If we would look to the continuation of the Maori tradition and culture, we must look to the spiritual values. This is a tradition which materialistic man may never understand. It is this spiritual tradition which has fostered your relations with the Pakeha. ‘The Maori people have always believed that there is a divinity to man. This gives his life a dignity and purpose. In Genesis we read that man was made in the image of God. If this be so, he is worthy of the best civilisation possible. ‘You believe that man is endowed by his creator with certain inalienable rights, and in this we feel at one with you. May, the people of New Zealand and the people of America always acknowledge this.’ Mr Henning then picked up the tiki, spoke to it of its long history, its journey overseas, its presence at the historic signing of the surrender treaty at Tokyo Bay, and said as he gave it to Queen Te Atairangikaahu, ‘I now return you to your people and your home.’ It was an emotion-filled moment. The Ambassador then gave the Queen a new American flag. The cultural competitions followed, and later, the visitors were entertained at luncheon in Turongo. Many other visitors arrived during the afternoon and were presented to the Ambassador, among them four young Maori women chosen to attend courses at the East-West Centre at Hawaii. Another, shorter, ceremony on that final day was the presentation to Dr Denis Rogers, Waikato University, of a carved pouwhenua, to be used as the University's mace. The coronation service three days earlier was also of great interest. Again, representatives of many churches took part, and the sermon was preached by Dr Sione Havea, of Tonga, who was in New Zealand speaking at Maori Bible Centenary services up and down the country. He took as his text Esther 4 v 14 … “and who knows whether thou cometh to the kingdom for such a time as this?” This was an appeal to Queen Esther from her uncle to save her people from destruction. It took courage on the part of the Queen to see what could be done. She was challenged, and she did the right thing—she turned to God for help. She tackled the problem by uprooting the roots of hatred, and integrated the people with a rededication to God. Dr Havea said, ‘In our lifetime we have seen many kingdoms fall and thrones dis- Dr Sione Havea presents the Tongan Biblc.

appear. Where sovereigns have ruled for their own interests first, where the needs of the people are forgotten and where conquest has been put before the peaceful government of the land, the monarchies have been swept away. ‘History has taught us how nations were united. Many kings rose and failed. There is only one king whom we know conquered the world and is still regarded as “King of Kings”, Jesus Christ. His simple symbol was that of a servant with a basin of water and a towel. In all his greatness there was this wonderful humility. ‘Queenship is a heavy burden. Monarchy today is no longer the symbol of might, conquest, grandeur and victory. The Queen must become the first servant of the land. It must be a ministry to the people. She must be among her people as one who serves. ‘She is honoured when she is honourable. She is respected when her life and character win obedience and respect naturally from her people. National greatness does not consist in economic wealth or powerful armies, but upon the strength and ability of character which is rooted in God, and we believe in Christian faith. ‘It is appropriate that your people celebrate the centennial of the Maori Bible, and that it coincides with the anniversary of your coronation. We believe in the influence of the Bible on a nation and a race like Polynesia. It is therefore our wish and prayer that during your reign among your people you will be able to lead them to a complete trust in God and in the reading of the Bible daily. ‘Fifty years ago one of your Polynesian cousins started to reign over a small nation. Through her daily reading of the word of God she was able to lead her people faithfully and wisely. She knew that she came to her kingdom for such a time.’ After the service, Dr Havea presented a Tongan Bible to Queen Te Atairangikaahu, and Rev. E. H. Moody, General Secretary of the Bible Society, followed with the presentation of a specially inscribed Maori Bible. An unexpected presentation of gifts to Queen Te Atairangikaahu and her husband from a group of 32 East Coast people, led by Mr Tame Te Maro and Mrs Ngaropi White, followed. These were as a reminder Beautifully carved gifts are presented by the East Coast visitors. of her visit last January to the East Coast. The twin nephews of Lt. Ngarimu presented a large framed picture—‘Hikurangi the Mountain, Waiapu the river and Ngati Porou the people’—and other gifts were symbolic of the desire for unity and association with the Maori King Movement. Replying on behalf of the Queen, Mr Henry Te Whangai said the suggestions were welcome, but asked the tribes to further consider the proposals on their own maraes, and come forward again with their suggestions. Results of the cultural competitions were:—Senior, Waihirere 193, Ohau 190, Waioeka 188, Ruatoki 187. Intermediate, St. Margarets 173, Poutaihi 167, Green-meadows 151. Junior, Ohau 176, Waihirere 172. The choral cup was won by Queen Victoria Girls' College and St. Stephen's School. Discussions, speeches and a variety of entertainment, including a service on Saturday evening by a 300-strong group from Auckland, occupied the rest of the time over the four days of the hui.