Rose Pere—Young Maori Woman of the Year, 1971–72

Te Ao Hou, 1973, Page 41

Rose Pere—Young Maori Woman of the Year, 1971–72 “Ki nga iwi o te motu, ki nga iwi e pae nei, tena koutou katoa. Tena koutou me o tatou tini mate, ka iri te huihui o Matariki ki te paerenga, e te iwi, a haere nga tini mate, haere, haere. Ko te hunga mate ki te hunga mate, ko te hunga ora ki te hunga ora, no reira kia ora ano koutou.” Born in Ruatahuna in the middle of of July 35 years ago, and brought up as a child at Waikaremoana, in the Urewera, I was strongly influenced by Maoritanga, my grandparents, and the rest of the elders who lived in our district. Our Maori elders fascinated us their ‘mokopunas’, with stories, speeches, songs, chants, and hakas. These kaumatuas could entertain and control us for hours on end, and were always very popular. There always seemed to be plenty to eat when one visited an old ‘kuia’ or ‘koroua’, but reflecting back, I realise it was probably all that some of these old people had, sometimes. Many of our families had very few material possessions, and were denied so many of the luxuries we enjoy today, and yet what I remember most vividly was the ring of laughter, song and music, the obvious happiness we shared as a people, because of the abundance of aroha—goodwill. There was a deep appreciation and respect for the human element above all things, the laws of conservation, including the natural environment and resources. Mind you, seeing other people's problems has made me realise all these things. I was one of the young people who took the elders and what they stood for, for granted. The best traditions and values of the Maori culture including the language (old New Zealand heritage), together with the worthwhile values, traditions, modern technology and skills brought in by other cultural and racial groups (new New Zealand heritage) may help to eradicate some of the human conflict and insecurity facing many of us today. We as New Zealanders in this multi-racial society need an identity that will give us a sense of unity, a sense of national pride, security, achievement and progress, in human, rather than material terms. The role of ‘Young Maori Woman of the Rose Pere. David Paul Studio

Year’ has taken me into the midst of young and old people throughout New Zealand, and parts of Australia, meeting and talking with people from all walks of life, different racial and cultural backgrounds, including ‘social misfits’. The experience has been worthwhile and most rewarding, because one always learns from contact with other people. Many of the people I met do not fit into either the ‘Maori’ or ‘European’ groups, but are nevertheless New Zealanders who contribute much for the good of our country, and I feel they should be acknowledged and given more recognition. This is one of the reasons why I am in favour of having both the European and Maori political electorates abolished and replaced by ‘New Zealand’ electorates, because consideration should be given to New Zealanders who do not fit into either the European or Maori groups. For example, why should the Mayor of Petone, Mr Gee, be referred to as an ‘honorary European’ when he is a Chinese New Zealander living in New Zealand, not Europe? I care about all the people who live in our country. As far as I'm concerned there are only two races of people, ‘men’ and ‘women’. Having a superiority complex or an inferiority complex does not help a person to communicate positively with an-other person or people. Manaakitia te tangata ahakoa he pango, he whero, he ma ranei, ki au nei, he tangata. Proud of my Maoritanga, and enriched by my Maori roots and heritage, I am also aware of and appreciate and accept the challenges and some of the teachings of the Western world. This day and age is exciting and full of challenges; the world is now our stamping ground. Our Maori ancestors were adventurers, and the tendency is still present. The honour bestowed on me at the beginning of the year has taught me many things, but it has made me realise more than ever, how inadequate I am. The many people who have welcomed me into their homes, organisations, institutions, and onto their maraes, have been completely overwhelming, and I will never be able to thank them enough, or to repay them for their many kindnesses. The common element all these people have shown is aroha—goodwill, and as I have already mentioned, these people were all colours, shapes and sizes. May I mention Tamati Reedy ‘The Young Maori Man Of The Year’. Tena koe Tamati, ka nui taku miharo ki a koe, ka nui nga mihi ki a korua ko Tilly, me ta korua hunuku hoki. This fine man I am very proud of, and I regard him as a leader because he is always willing to help people in any way he possibly can. These people who yell and scream for their ‘Maoritanga’ could well do with a leaf from his book of good deeds. Many of us pay lip service to the Maori Women's Welfare League motto “tatau, tatau” but how many of us make the effort to practise what we preach? Te me nui ko te aroha, me manaakitia e tatau, tenei tangata, tera tangata, nga tangata katoa. May I also pay a tribute to the Aotea Regional Maori Council and the Aotea Maori Women's Welfare League for nominating and sending me to the Sir Jack Butland National Contest held for the ‘Young Maori Woman Of The Year’ Award, at Auckland. It was a great honour to represent Aotea. “Tena koutou nga iwi, nga hapu, o Aotea, nga koutou au i manaaki, i atawhai. Ka nui taku whakawhetai kia koutou mo tenei honore nui, tena koutou katoa. Kua mutu nga korero, me nga mihi e hoa ma. Ma te Atua koutou e tiaki, e manaaki, e arahi, i nga wa katoa. Rose Rangimaric Pere During a visit to Taranaki, the Governor-General Sir Denis Blundell, and Lady Blundell visited Cardift School where Mrs Pere is principal. She is wearing a famous and priceless feather cloak handed down within her family to the eldest daughter born in each generation. Decorated with tui, kaka and pigeon feathers, it was made by her tipuna Mihomiho Teau Tahakawa of Tuhoe.