Waikato Visit to the East Coast by Kiri Haira A recent visit to the East Coast by Te Ata-i-rangi-kaahu, Ariki Tapairu of Waikato, took place at Ruatoria on 5–7 January. The visitors were received by leading elders of Ngati Porou—Messrs H. T. (Arnold) Reedy, H. Mahuika, T. Tamepo, H. K. Ngata and a number of others, and were supported by about 300 people. The weekend programme organized for the visitors included a debutante ball—at which 22 debutantes were presented to the Waikato Queen, the unveiling of three memorial tombstones belonging to the Awatere family, and a Maori concert. Following the Waikato Queen's visit, the Gisborne Herald of 17 January reported that … ‘Ngati Porou elders expressed views that the recent visit of the Waikato Maori leader was at the invitation of a minority group of East Coast Maori members of the Kotahitanga movement.’ The paper quotes an unidentified spokesman of Ngati Porou who said, ‘… It had been noticeable that Ngati Porou people The Waikato party being challenged in the traditional wero ceremony, Pictured are two of the three challengers, Whio Matu, kneeling, and Sonny Waru. National Pubilicity Studios The Waikato Queen. Te Atairangikaahu leads the visiting party onto Mangahaea marae at Ruatoria.