ABOUT 400 yards from the Waitangi Maori Hall, towards Paihia there are two mounds, the larger one, nearer the hall, about four feet above the level of the surrounding paddock, and the smaller not quite so high. The larger, now capped by a stone seat, is called Tou Rangatira, and the smaller, now topped by a cairn is called Pou Kupu. In olden times, when chiefs spoke in public on this marae, they conferred together—discussed the agenda, so to speak—on te Pou Kupu, and then advanced in turn to te Tou Rangatira to address the assembled people. It was here and in this way that the pros and cons of signing the Treaty of Waitangi were debated; and from here that the chiefs left to cross the river to sign. In modern times the site has fallen into disuse. Te Kiri Mihaka, who was secretary to the marae committee at the age of 18, fifty-six years ago, states that the last occasion on which the site was used in the traditional manner was during the Kotahitanga movement, fully seventy years ago. Hone Heke, M.P., was asked by the northern tribes to secure the unification of all the Maori tribes by appealing to the British Government. Subsequently he visited the Maori King, in the Waikato, and Tawhiao in turn spoke from the Tou Rangatira at Waitangi, and according to Mr Mihaka, he made an unsuccessful attempt to persuade the northerners to unite under the Waikato King. On Sunday, 5th February, 1956 the ceremony of dedication and unveiling was conducted by the Rev Mr K. Porter, the Rey Mr Brown, the Rev Mr Waha Tauhara and the Rev Mr Rakena. The actual unveiling of the site was done by the elderly Mrs Mereana Hauraki, chairman of the marae committee. As the ceremony concluded all present filed past te Pou Kupu, each to place a hand on the dedicated cairn. Immediately after this ceremony the tablet on the front of the hall was also dedicated, and an open air service was held conducted by the Rev Mr Brown. Te Ao Hou's photograph is the only one taken at this unique and historic ceremony at te Tou Rangatira.