Dame Te Atairangikaahu Given Freedom of City

Te Ao Hou, 1972, Page 32

Escorted by Mr Mason Durie, Dame Te Atairangikaahu and her Waikato people advance towards the ‘marae’ in the centre of Palmerston North's ‘Square’ Dame Te Atairangikaahu Given Freedom of City Waitangi Day at Palmerston North was unique in the city's history, as for the first time a New Zealand citizen was given the ‘Freedom of the City’. Recipient of this honour was Te Arikinui Dame Te Atairangikaahu, who visited the city accompanied by her husband, daughter Heeni and about 100 Waikato supporters. First came a Maori welcome to the Mayor, Mr D. Black, with the local Ngawaka Maori Club complementing the speeches. Then the mayoral party joined the local Maori elders to welcome the Waikato visitors. It was an exciting day for the crowd, many of whom had never seen a ceremonial welcome, and some regarded the day as the highlight of the city's centennial celebrations. Following the challenge and Dame Te Atairangikaahu meeting the Mayor of Palmerston North, Mr Black, after the welcome

One of the Waikato speakers replying to the speeches of welcome speeches, the official party went to the clock tower, where after more speeches, the scroll giving her the Freedom of Palmerston North was handed to Dame Te Ata. During the welcome, the crowd learned that the centre of Palmerston North's square marked the site of ‘Te Marae O Hina’, a marae where lived a wise woman who provided sanctuary for all, and who was renowned for settling arguments among the local people. It was described as fitting that it should be at ‘Te Marae o Hina’ that the city should pay tribute to a woman of our day who had given a great deal of wise counsel to this generation, and by her example set a high standard. Dame Te Ata thanked the city for the great honour they had bestowed on her and said she prayed that all citizens, Maori and Pakeha, would continue to prosper in harmony and goodwill. The official party then began the signing of a petition that Waitangi Day be recognised as a national holiday in lieu of provincial holidays. After the three hours of ceremony, the visitors were given a luncheon in the pavilion, while the crowd feasted from the hangis which had been put down in the square, and the afternoon programme continued informally with entertainment by several Maori clubs. A highlight of the Waitangi Ball that evening was the presentation to Dame Te Atairangikaahu of 15 grandmothers by their grandsons. Mr S. Mihaere, a City Councillor and chief organiser of the celebrations, said that the committee was very pleased with the whole day, and he was sure all had enjoyed it. Dame Te Atairangikaahu receiving the scroll from Mr Black