Ngati Poneke Debutante Ball

Te Ao Hou, November 1973, Page 32

The official party pauses for the powhiri on entering Wellington Town Hall. From left, Mr Fred Katene, the Mayoress, Lady Kitts, Mr Whatumoana Paki, the Mayor, Sir Frank Kitts escorting Te Arikinui Dame Te Atairangikaahu, and on her left the Hon. Matiu Rata, Minister of Maori Affairs. Ngati Poneke Debutante Ball The 700 guests present at the Ikaroa Maori District Debutante Ball held in the Wellington Town Hall on 16 June applauded their approval as each debutante, her white gown entirely covered by a kaitaka, and escorted by her father or brother, slowly made her way to the foot of the stage steps, to be handed the meremere by her sponsor—signifying the handing over of his mana for this one night. As each girl sank low in a curtsey, and her tribal district was called after her name, the smile of acknowledgment from the Arikinui Dame Te Atairangikaahu took away the nervous tension and in its place left a quiet dignity. Speaking to the girls when they returned without their kakahu Maori for the mass curtsey, the Arikinui spoke of the honour she felt in being invited to take part. She said, ‘We have witnessed here tonight an event of beauty and tradition; debutantes presented first in our Maori way, and now standing before us in their lovely gowns—surely a true witness of our two cultures linking together in perfect harmony.’ She wished Ngati Poneke continued success in its efforts to create a turangawaewae for those who came to live and work in the city.

Ngati Poneke invited the Ma-wai-hakona Maori Association of Trentham to perform the powhiri for the official guests. At the far left is Mrs Hera Katene-Horvath, president and tutor. At the traditional welcome held at the Ngati Poneke Hall earlier in the day, the Arikinui was presented with a painting of her great-aunt, Princess Te Puea, done by Mrs Fernanda Brenner of Wellington. The excellent likeness delighted the Waikato people.

Sisters Carol and Dayvinia Bartlett have the honour of leading the parade of debutantes as they walked the length of the Town Hall to make their curtseys on the stage.. Carl Karepa, rangatira of Ngati Poneke, has just handed his meremere to his mokopuna Roberta Selwyn at the foot of the stage steps

Makiroa Maka, one of the Cook Island debutantes, curtseys to Dame Te Atairangikaahu. In the background is Mr Bill Nathan who announced the girls as they came forward. The ball gave old members of Ngati Poneke a chance to meet again.

The mass curtsey, with the girls now in their European dress and with their young escorts. After supper the girls posed for a photograph with Dame Te Atairangikaahu

The girls pose for a formal photograph with kaitaka and meremere. From left, back row: Makiroa Maka, Lynette Tukaroa, Mandy Wood, Anne Nicholls, Mata Ringiao. Third row: Patricia Bell, Shona Solomon, Gabrielle McNaught, Mereana Kerei, Mereana Priest, Patricia Neilson. Second row: Carol Barlett, Dayvinia Bartlett, Helen Campbell, Denise Hodge, Whaiora Gerrard, Louise Puketapu, Te Ara Taepa, Teresa Hargreaves, Fay Hargreaves. Front row: Atamona Kerekere, Sharon Martin, Roberta Selwyn, Harahara Thompson, Robyn Joseph, Kararaina Walker, with Arikinui Dame Te Atairangikaahu seated. P. H. Jauncey.

Now with their posies, the girls again pose with the Arikinui. From left, Back row: Shona Solomon, Makiroa Maka, Mandy Wood, Gabrielle McNaught, Whaiora Gerrard. Third row: Anne Nicholls, Dayvinia Bartlett, Carol Bartlett, Lynette Tukaroa, Kararaina Walker, Te Ara Taepa, Mereana Priest. Second row: Mereana Kerei, Sharon Martin, Atamoana Kerekere, Roberta Selwyn, Robyn Joseph, Fay Hargreaves, Harahara Thompson, Louise Puketapu. Front row: Denise Hodge, Patricia Bell, Helen Campbell, Patricia Neilson, Teresa Hargreaves, Mata Ringiao. P. H. Jauncey.