Te Maori welcomed

Tu Tangata, Issue 26, 1 October 1985, Page 28

Te Maori welcomed

The largest contingent from Te Maori Exhibition, a group of elders 90 members strong, was welcomed at the marae of the Maori Village at the Polynesian Cultural Centre. This distinguished group was returning from the opening of the Maori artefacts at the De Young Museum at San Francisco. This is the third contingent to visit the Polynesian Cultural Centre.

Hundreds of guests pour through the Maori Village daily and P.C.C. employees are accustomed to the traffic of people that walk through this village. But when our Maori people are formally greeted onto the marae their mere presence generated a spirituality and unity that is rarely felt by another cultural ethnic group's arrival. This spirit that surrounds them was even felt by other P.C.C. employees who witnessed their welcome. Tommy Taurima, the Maori Cultural Director, who is from Ngati

Kahungungu, wrote the action song Ruawharo and another song called Mahina-a-Rangi sung in English and danced by a Hawaiian hula hulau P.C.C. prepared for guests by the technical apparatus placed on the marae. So that all the paying guests understood this important ritual involved, explanations were given to appreciate the procedure. George Kaka, our Maori Village Chief from Tai Tokerau and Epanaia Christy, Ngati Kahungungu were the speakers for the tangata whenua, while

Rev. Bob Emery, Ngati Kahungungu and Hohua Tutengahe, Ngaiterangi spoke for our distinguished visitors. Everyone enjoyed renewing acquaintances and meeting whanaunga before all went to dinner at the Gateway Restaurant. The visit was completed with the exciting and spectacular “This is Polynesia" extravaganza in the Pacific

Paviinon. A full attendance crowd of 250 enjoyed the show. Our curious onlooking tourists that enjoyed this cultural experience of the welcome on the marae were able to participate in the karakia with the Lord's Prayer in Maori and our traditional Maori hymns of “Tama Ngakau Marie" and “Aue Ihu tirohia"