TE ROOPU WAHINE MAORI TOKO I TE ORA

Tu Tangata, Issue 1, 1 August 1981, Page 21

TE ROOPU WAHINE MAORI TOKO I TE ORA

Na Harata Solomon

The Maori Women's Welfare League Annual Conference

Members of the Maori Women’s Welfare League from all over New Zealand packed the town of Whakatane for their 29th annual conference between 11 and 14 May this year.

The four-day conference, the largest ever held in the eastern Bay of Plenty, got off to a rallying good start with a traditional Maori welcome on a grand scale. Historic Wairaka Marae was’the venue for the powhiri, and provided a superb setting for the rituals and ceremonial procedure which indicated to all present that the conference was now under way and would run its decreed course. Approximately 300 delegates and as many observers, plus hundreds of visitors from near and far, combined together, and moved on to the marae as one unified ope to the karanga powhiri of the kuia of the host tribes of Mataatua.

I for one allowed my spirit to feast upon the beauty and insight that flowed from the whaikorero and waiata. These treasures were handed down from the generations that have preceded ours. Even in this nuclear age, they have the potency and magnetism to inspire yet another generation. The impact of the proceedings was greatly increased by the crystal-clear sunlit morning. This charged atmosphere

ushered in the commencement of conference. Waiariki area representative Mrs Janet Brown, along with all of her many helpers, had laid the foundation for a very successful conference. The host tribes of Mataatua, Ngati Awa and Tuhoe, were present in vast numbers to make their manuhiri very welcome.

In addressing over a thousand people at the opening, the Minister of Maori Affairs, the Hon. Mr Couch, said he had intended to speak on Maori health, a subject of concern to all, but had decided instead to talk about the worrying matter of racism. He said he had received comments from people and newspapers from all over New Zealand about “racism in reverse”.

“There is a growing trend that disturbs me greatly. It is the increasing number of people complaining about racial discrimination being practised by Maoris against other New Zealanders.” Maoris were demanding special privileges, help, grants and extra considerations solely for themselves. Resentment of this was growing and becoming a real threat. Mr Couch urged delegates to think deeply about the matter before it was too late. “Let us not find in later years that while we were concerned about race relations in other countries, we could not see what was happening in our own.”

The Bishop of Aotearoa, Bishop Whakahuihui Vercoe pronounced a blessing upon the conference for the duration of its deliberations. This is in accordance with Maori custom, and always bestows a calm and peaceful spirit among the people.

The hakari which followed was splendid and bountiful; catering generously for the many hundreds present, it was a work of art and was much appreciated by all. The organisation, preparation and service given so freely by our host Leagues, their families, and the people of Whakatane and environs, were truly magnificent. Our grateful thanks to all concerned.

Chairman of the New Zealand Maori Council, Sir Graham Latimer, said that conference would decide how the League would go into the future. “I bring the Council’s blessings to this conference and offer support in any way it is needed. I have been fortunate in the past to have had the League’s support and in working together we have become strong to face the future,” he said.

Other distinguished guests included Dame Te Atairangi Kaahu, Patroness of the League, and Dame Whina Cooper, the League’s first President.

Following the lunch break, conference adjourned to the Whakatane District War Memorial Centre. The Centre offered perfect facilities and added to the success of the conference.

The oratory contest based on the theme of the conference—“Kia Whakatane au i ahau” — was contended by a number of young people, both girls and boys. They had obviously put a lot of preparation into their presentations and it was a delight to see and hear them as they faced the huge crowd and gave of their best. The winners were: senior boys, Clayton Ratu of Waiariki; senior girls, Julie Whitehouse of Tainui; junior boys, Patrick Mounsell of Taitokerau; junior girls, Rangimarie Apiti of Tainui.

SOME HIGHLIGHTS OF THE CONFERENCE Junior branches and members —without a doubt, one of the exciting things about the conference was the noticeably increased attendance of junior members. Their contribution to the oratory contest and youth panel, and their intelligent

input into the discussions and remits, were most appreciated and valuable. Varied range of reforms A member of an Auckland working committee on penal reform, Mr Dennis Hansen, addressed the conference. He outlined some suggestions which would keep people “out of prison” and provide wide-ranging rehabilitation and employment benefits. Mr Hansen explained that the committee has been established to look at existing methods which deal with offenders and to make recommendations for reducing the incidence of imprisonment. The committee is also to look at alternatives for dealing with people appearing before the Court. Mr Hansen’s recommendations included: * The establishment of Justice Department support groups based on marae and churches throughout the country which would take offenders and provide homes, employment and social and cultural therapy. * Allowing Polynesian offenders to return home for a period of cultural rejuvenation. * Encouraging forestry development of more than 100,000 ha of land to provide 60,000 jobs.

* Providing positions in the Navy and Air Froce where job training and social education would prepare them for future careers and occupations.

Mr Hansen, a court officer, told delegates that he favoured the last recommendation most. The money spent each year in keeping 12,000 people in institutions throughout New Zealand totalled $219 million and together with that spent on domestic purposes benefits for women whose husbands were in prison plus Labour Department work schemes, the final total was $409 million.

This represented “negative spending” which could be better used in keeping youths out of Social Welfare homes, borstals and prisons, said Mr Hansen.

“For less than half the cost you could keep 26,000 young people between ages 15 to 21 years fed, clothed and trained in social skills at the same time.” He proposed paying people who volunteered for the armed forces wages ranging from S4O to S7O per week depending on age.

Total cost of the proposal, including food, clothing, tools and 4,000 additional staff came to $197 million which would be “positively” spent. “After five years surely we would see the growing, healthy youth that all New Zealanders would like to see.” Mr Hansen said the Minister of Justice, Mr McLay, and the Justice Department, had agreed reform was necessary and he urged conference delegates to take their part in the review. “Pakeha groups all round the country, are making submissions to the Justice

Department and Maoris should be involved too. I have come to you because of your mana,” he said. A final plea from Mr Hansen: “delegates please take these ideas back into the community and make your own submissions to the Justice Department penal policy review committee.”

EXTRACTS FROM NA TIONAL PRESIDENTS REPORT

Mrs Violet Pou, National President of the League, delivered her report to the conference outlining the League’s involvements over the past year. It was a lengthy and detailed account covering a wide range of activities. It clearly showed what a busy and involved year has passed for herself as National President, for members of the National Executive, and for area representatives, regionals and branches as well.

A very encouraging feature of the year has been the increase in membership, especially as it is the junior membership that is increasing. Mrs Pou stressed that, “...if the Maori Womens Welfare League is to maintain or increase its role in the community; to devise programmes that would attract more Maori women, and others, into our organisation; that an all-out drive for new members would increase not only the League membership, but it would also become more effective on a broader scale of activities within the community.

The Whirinaki branch in Perth, Australia is growing from strength to strength. Their membershp is increasing, indicating that they are a very busy group. A copy of their monthly newsletter is received at League headquarters. Tu Tangata Whanau

One of the challenges placed before the League by the Minister of Maori Affairs, The Hon. Mr Ben Couch, at the Maori Womens Welfare League’s 1980 Conference at Timaru was the “birth” of the Tu Tangata Whanau Programme. The M.W.W.L. was charged by the Minister to spearhead the Tu Tangata Programme in conjunction with the Department of Maori Affairs. The challenge was taken up.

There has been a measure of success in this area and the programmes are ongoing. In all phases of community life, town and country, the Maori Womens Welfare League is there in a supportive or direct role. Significant involvements are in schools and colleges: Maori language and cultural tuition; homework centres; work schemes and trusts to aid the unemployed; care for the aged and the sick; pre-school work; teaching of arts and crafts, weaving and carving etc; serving as Wardens and as Honorary Community Officers; serving on Maori Committees and District Maori Councils, and in many community activities and communities. Just remember too that to get the Tu Tangata programme off the ground, necessitated attendance at Meetings. Meetings! Meetings! As many as nine meetings in one month, in-

eluding weekend sleep-ins. It was a process of meeting the people; explaining the programme, and assisting to launch them into the Tu Tangata programme. It has required effort, energy, and dedication. Overseas delegations Copenhagen, Denmark: 11 July-2 August 1980. Principally because of the stand the M.W.W.L. executive took with the Government that a League representative should be in all future delegations where Maori women were affected, Mrs Pou was chosen to attend the World Conference of the United Nations Decade for Women, Mrs Pou spoke of the hard work involved (sessions started at 7.30 pm and finished at 11.00 pm), and the experience gained by working in association withi the New Zealand representatives and others.

Fiji: 29 October4-November 1980. This was a conference of Pacific women, intended as a follow-up to the Copenhagen conference. Mrs Pou went with Mrs Maria Tautari of Kawakawa, who represented the Committee on Women. The atmosphere here was different from Copenhagen, with all participants Polynesian or Melanesian. Opinions were voiced freely and without inhibition. New Zealand Maori Council Meetings

We were invited to have a representative on the N.Z.M.C. Legislative Review Committee, and also to prepare a paper for the M.W.W.L. This has been completed. We will be endeavouring this year to have a representative from the League to attend all Council meetings and we have tried to arrange our executive meetings to suit both organisations. Mrs Tilly Reedy has now joined us on the Executive and her training and acquired skills will be of valuable assistance in the M.W.W.L. meetings and programmes.

Meanwhile the League has been inundated with requsts to attend other meetings, conferences and social events, and has had to balance the cost of such attendances against the desirability of maintaining a League presence and keeping communications open. But in all cases a member of the League has been able to attend, and acknowledgement has to be made of their availablility despite other commitments.

In conclusion, Mrs Pou said “We your National Executive could not possibly achieve so much if it were not for you

and your good works. Our very existence depends entirely upon you our members. Noreira Kia kaha; kia toa; kia manawanui. Ma te Runga Rawa koutou katoa e atawhai, e tiaki, i nga wa katoa.” E hoa ma space does not permit fuller coverage of the President’s report. Suffice it to say keep the good work moving along.

The swift passage of time and the vast bulk of business tabled at the conference gave delegates very little time for anything else. This is as it should be. My tribute at this time, is to the Leagues of Waiariki and especially to Mrs Janet Brown, Waiariki Area Representative: also to the Tangata Whenua, Tuhoe Whanui, from the elders to the small children, every one for the warmth of your hospitality; for your manaakitanga throughout the conference; for the sweet spirit, for the unobtrusive and quiet manner in which you sustained and comforted each and every one; for the sheer pleasure of sharing with us the gifts, talents and beauty of Maoritanga as demonstrated by the young children. Everything was just beautiful. Whakatane and all those who attended Conferece: Kia ora! Tena koutou! Tena koutou! Tena koutou katoa!