Matua Henare The Lady On a Bike

Te Ao Hou, 1972, Page 5

Matua Henare The Lady On a Bike by Valerie Smith Mrs Matua Henare, the only Maori woman to represent the Hawke's Bay Presbytery at a General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand, died recently in Hastings. Her passing closes a unique chapter in the history of the Presbyterian Church, but at the same time opens another chapter with a practical demonstration that could ultimately affect all New Zealanders. Although Mrs Henare's work in the Church and community were inestimable, another equally vital legacy resulted from a request made just before she died. This was her wish to be buried from St John's Presbyterian Church, Hastings, rather than

her ancestral marae at Nuhaka. Her simple request, with its immediate warm response by Maori and Pakeha, church-goers and otherwise, brought one aspect of Maoritanga into a city for the first time, and created a perfect blend of Maori and European tradition. ‘The Lady on a Bike’, as she was affectionately known to the countless families she visited, lived until seven years ago at Nuhaka, where she and her family were active in the Maori Synod. When Mr and Mrs Henare came to Hastings they were soon involved in church work, and Mrs Henare became an elder of St John's Presbyterian Church, for which she was later representative on Presbytery. Finally, in 1969, she represented Presbytery at the General Assembly in Dunedin. Race had nothing to do with her election; she was chosen because of her strong Christian character and convictions for this vital role. Any spare time Mrs Henare might have had after leaving Nuhaka was quickly seized by others outside the church as well. An expert on Maoritanga, she was soon actively involved in establishing a Maori Community Centre here. She became a member of the Mahora School Committee, and the Hastings Boys' High School Home and School Association. In spite of increasing ill-health, she continued this service to the church and public until her death at the age of 58. Modest though Mrs Henare was, the social implications of her life and death are tremendous. They prove beyond doubt that the best of our two cultures can be combined to everyone's advantage. Our attitude to death illustrates how far apart the two are at present. In European society, we tend to wrap the bereaved family in cotton wool, to avoid speaking of the deceased, and generally advise a ‘stiff upper lip’ policy. We hide our grief with tranquilizers, and take pride that no-one see us ‘break down’. Small wonder we take so long to recover from the loss of a close relative. The Maori custom of encouraging the relatives to ‘get it off your chest’ is practical and honest. Family ties are strong, and distant connections all down tools, and come to the marae to honour the dead. The traditional hakari which follows is a practical way of providing nourishment for mourners, many of whom have travelled long distances. The mood then changes, and all join in the signing and relating of incidents from the past, to cheer and comfort the immediate family. “Sure you're heart-broken and full of regret, but your loved one has gone to the spirit world. So rejoice at the same time that he is with his Maker”. The body of Matua Henare, in accordance with her wishes, rested for two days in a tent beside her home, which became a marac. There, a few yards from a busy street and European neighbours, hundreds of people from all over the North Island gathered round. There too, folk from all sections of the community—regardless of race, creed or position—called to pay their last respects. Her Parish Minister, Rev. W. Lindsay, and Rev. R. Poinga, Maori Minister of Hawke's Bay were constantly in attendance to welcome visitors, Maoris and Pakehas packed St John's for the funeral service conducted by Rev. Lindsay, Rev. Warren Foster, formerly of Nuhaka and now Rotorua, and Rev. Poinga. After internment at Mangaroa Cemetery, the hakari was held in St John's Hall, and another milestone was laid. All this took place in a crowded, conservative, mainly European suburb, first in a quiet residential street, and then right next to a busy shopping centre. The reaction of neighbours was significant. Not one objected to the noise and congestion. On the contrary, many rallied round to share the family's load, and one neighbour, who had no connection through religion or race, cared for children while their parents attended the service. Two weeks later the tangi was taken to Nuhaka in keeping with Maori custom. Rev. Lindsay, who had exchanged pulpits with Rev. Foster several times over the years, again officiated. The problem of young Maoris living away from home was one of Mrs Henare's greatest concerns. The so-called ‘drift’ to the cities has become an avanlanche, bringing its teething troubles as well as advantages. Mr and Mrs Henare sacrificed their comfortable home in familiar surroundings to live in these difficult circumstances, so that they could personally help their family ‘fit’ in the community. They knew that it is easy to practise culture and religion when surrounded by

family and friends who believe likewise, but that it is a different story when living in a strange city, among a strange race with strange beliefs. There is a real danger that Maori culture may be absorbed into European and religion lost in the process, just as young Maoris are being absorbed into European way of living. Mrs Henare proved by her life and death that Maoritanga can be retained in towns and cities through this merging of our two cultures. She was a hard-working, practical Christian, devoted to her husband and twelve children, a loyal exponent of Maori and European culture and a friend to all in need. “Don't imagine her as a fierce old warrior,” a fellow worker stressed, “She was warm and gentle, yet not a bit scared to speak up for what she believed. We all liked working with her, especially when she sang.” “We loved her,” one of her Sunday School pupils said, “because she was so kind to us—even the horrible ones.” “Her work on various committees was valuable,” a member reflected, “but even more important was the example she set others by simply being there.” Matua Henare, courageous, gentle and devout, has woven life-carrying threads between Maori and Pakeha tradition. Our challenge today is to strengthen these bonds.