Royal Visit to Turangawaewae

Te Ao Hou, March 1974, Page 16

Royal Visit to Turangawaewae Waiting in the sun—the ‘grass widows’ these ladies called themselves, and below, nga kaumatua too look forward to the big occasion

Mr A. M. Latta, Mayor of Ngaruawahia, the Minister of Maori Affairs, the Hon. Matiu Rata, M.P. for Western Maori, Mr. Koro Wetere, and the Minister of Tourism, the Hon. Mrs Tirikatene-Sullivan are welcomed onto the marae ‘Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could have a member of the royal family to open the building!’ The remark was made some time ago, even before the sketch plans for the building were prepared. On 8 February that dream was fulfilled. People began arriving for the grand hui on 6 February, when final preparations for the visit were made. Next day the service of dedication took place, with a great gathering of clergy and elders of many tribes. Like the previous day, Friday 8 February proved fine and sunny, and excitement mounted as the time drew near for the guests to arrive. Seats at vantage points were taken early in the morning, and the crowds were happy during the long wait, as they recalled the previous visit of Her Majesty the Queen and His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh, and looked forward to seeing their daughter and her husband. At last the sentinel shouted and the crowds of school children outside the gate cheered the arrival of the royal party. Escorted by the Prime Minister and Mrs Kirk, Mr Whatumoana Paki and Mr Tumokai Katipa, the visitors were challenged by Rev. Dave Manihera and welcomed by kaumatua and a young haka team as they made their way to the place of honour on the porch of Mahinarangi. After a prayer by His Grace the Archbishop of New Zealand and the National Anthem Henare Tuwhangai rose from beside the Arikinui and welcomed the guests. The Prime Minister replied, then the Hon. Matiu Rata, Minister of Maori Affairs, also spoke on behalf of the Arikinui and the people of Waikato, welcoming them to ‘the place which is the symbol of the pride of the people and their leaders in all that is worthy from their storied past, and which expresses too, the continuity of their heritage.’ He remarked that Her Majesty and Prince Philip's visit to the marae 20 years before was recalled with pride, and that the people had never forgotten that gracious act, and he reaffirmed the Maori people's affection, loyalty and faith in the crown, saying that the Treaty of Waitangi would undoubtedly remain an enduring link between the New Zealand people and the Queen. He said

Nga kuia absorbed in the proceedings that the new Kimiora Hall Complex could not begin its life of service in a more auspicious way, and in the years ahead ‘this day will be proudly recalled.’ He also expressed the people's delight in the presence of Princess Anne and Captain Mark Phillips, and the opportunity to pass on their good wishes personally. Replying, Her Majesty said, ‘Mr Prime Minister, Dame Te Atairangikaahu, elders and people of the tribes of the Tainui Canoe and representatives of other tribes gathered here, tena koutou, tena koutou, tena koutou. ‘Since I last stood on this marae, many of The procession arrives at Kimiora

Following the Bishop of Aotearoa, the Rt. Rev. Manu Bennett, are the Arikinui Dame Te Atairangikaahu, distinguished guests and representatives of visiting tribes Led by the Rev. Dave Manihera, the procession of clergy leaves Mahinarangi for the dedication service outside Kimiora, the new dining hall and cultural centre.

Escorted by Mr Whatumoana Paki and the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. Norman Kirk, Her Majesty the Queen and His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh enter the marae and pause for the challenge

Seated on the porch of Mahinarangi, the Prime Minister and Mrs Kirk and the royal visitors listen to Henare Tuwhangai's speech of welcome. Interpreting for Her Majesty the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh is the Rev. Kingi Ihaka, and for Princess Anne and Captain Mark Phillips is Mr Bob Kerr your elders have gone to join their ancestors. It is fitting that we should pause for a moment and think of those who have gone before us. ‘They have paved the way for us. We are all products of our past and in the rush and turmoil of modern life we should never forget that the way we think and act today will affect profoundly the lives of our children and grandchildren. Our present will be their past. ‘The strong sense of tradition and continuity of life, which is such a marked feature of the Maori people, is well illustrated in this marae. Its origin derives from the words of an ancestor of Dame Te Atairangikaahu who foresaw it as a “resting place for the feet” of his descendants and their people. But this marae is not just a memorial to the past, it is a living symbol of all that is best in Maori society. It is a gathering place where the people can share their joys and sorrows, where they can remember, and where they can plan for the future in a spirit of warmth and friendship. Above all, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II replies to the welcome

The well-designed Kimiora (which means ‘to go in search of life, or of something which will be of benefit’) includes a balcony with a magnificent view over the Waikato River. The royal guests were delighted to see the fleet of small canoes and the three fully-carved war canoes sweep down the river. After a paddle salute, the crews anchored their craft and performed a magnificent haka, advancing up the bank towards the visitors and retreating again An especial thrill for those long associated with the marae is to see the historic dining hall Kimikimi begin a new life as a two-storey sleeping house. It is now situated beyond Pare-Waikato and Pare-Hauraki

The war canoes on the far side of the river ready to swing round opposite the balcony. The royal party returns to Mahinarangi for refreshments. Behind Her Majesty are Captain Mark Phillips and the Princess Anne, with Mrs Rata and the Hon. Matiu Rata. Her Majesty and the Duke then had lunch in Turongo, while Princess Anne and Captain Phillips returned to Kimiora for their meal with over 1,000 guests

it shows that the Maori people have succeeded where so many others have failed. ‘Sustained by their own social and cultural institutions, they have survived the shock of involvement with a totally different society and culture. They have emerged as a people versed in new ways but still loyal to their own traditions. ‘The building which has just been completed is firm evidence of the continuing social value of the marae. In the years to come I am sure that many thousands of people will come to this building to find that peace of mind which comes from gatherings of kinsmen in the traditional manner of a strong and vital society. ‘It gives me great pleasure to declare the Kimiora Hall open. God bless this house and all who enter here. Kia ora koutou.’