TE AO HOU THE NEW WORLD PUBLISHED QUARTERLY FOR THE MAORI PURPOSES FUND BOARD BY THE DEPARTMENT OF MAORI AFFAIRS No. 23 (Vol. 6 No. 3)

Centenary of the King Movement After a hundred years, the Maori King Movement is still very much alive. With changing conditions it has changed its character in some ways, but in many essentials it has remained itself. The great celebration in Ngaruawahia last May was one sign of the vigour of the movement. It was not an isolated occasion; we see from year to year that support of King Koroki right through the Tainui canoe area and even beyond, shows no sign of flagging. The people are generous with their support; money is readily raised for the upkeep of the King movement. The annual ‘poukai’ at Christmas time, the ‘kohi’ for the October meetings, the many personal gifts, some amazingly large, continue to flow undiminished. What is the significance of the King movement today? From its inception, Kingitanga contained a mystical doctrine of Maori unity; this doctrine is still as strong as ever. The adherents of the movement used to place their land under the mana of the King—in far-off days this was a way to stop it from being sold. Today this danger no longer exists in the same way, but maraes in the Tainui area are still being vested in King Koroki. In one important way, the King movement has changed: in its attitude to the European. Not unnaturally, the Waikato feared European influence in any form for many years after the Maori wars. The first important break from this attitude occurred when King Mahuta accepted appointment in the Legislative Council. Later, in the days of Princess Te Puea. the bar against Waikato children going to school was broken down. Most important of all. the government compensated the Tainui people for the confiscations with a money grant, thus acknowledging the justice of Maori grievances. While the old resentments are disappearing. Kingitanga still stands for Maori pride of race, and for keeping the people together in a Maori unity. On this, many opinions are possible. One must say however, that the Ngaruawahia gathering could hardly be described as over-conservative. With a mannequin parade and an exhibition of paintings and sculptures by modern Maori artists. Kingitanga showed itself very much prepared to enrich the lives of the people in every way open to them, whether traditional or modern.