The Wellington Samoan group with their hosts after their welcome onto Mataatua marae N.P.S. different story at Rotorua next year, should there be another festival. No longer shall we go as guest performers and as amateurs. Now that our canoe is in sight of land, we plan to pull it ashore, As far as the Samoan group is concerned there is to be a follow-up action to this operation. We are going to see this through by reviving our dances and national activities. So much interest has been created that we have formed ourselves into a permanent culture group in the Hutt Valley. And what of the hospitality of our host Tuhoe of Rotorua? In my language all I could say is: Tuhoe malo teu malo le fa'aaloalo. Ua fo'i le va'a le mama ua lomi ua malie le va'ai. Fa'afetai. In Maori presumably it could mean, Tuhoe, mou mou kai, mou taonga mou mou tangata ki to po. No tribute could be adequate or fitting. From the minute we landed on the marae until we left, it was home away from home all over again. And to be privileged to sleep on the marae was an experience. Tears were shed, (this is true Polynesian parting) and deep inside our hearts we told ourselves we will return, and this we will do—return to Mataatua. The competitions were a treat to our young members (who went planning a sightseeing tour of Rotorua which never eventuated) who as amateurs are now determined to go back polished and as real Samoan entertainers, next year. The Maori groups showed our members uniformity in its wide sense; the Cook Island group, rhythm to the beat of drums, the tin cans and goodness knows what; the Tokelauans, gracious moments and gently does it; and for Niueans, all energies preserved was the caper. But what of us—just wait and see. We know we can do better. Here is a classic example. We beat ‘Little Samoa’ our Auckland brothers and that speaks for itself. Any tiny brother who annoys a big brother deserves a lesson or two. And now that ‘Little Samoa’ (Auckland) is hurt it is enough evidence that in a festival next year the Samoan competitions are going to be hard to judge. All groups are out to win. We are looking forward to the acid test and let it be done in the true Polynesian spirit. A new day is born: To ka rere he ra. Ua sau le aso fou. Soifua. Hugo R. Stanley The Rev. Kingi M. Ihaka, M.B.E., J.P., Chairman of the Festival Committee, gave this address of welcome to Their Excellencies the Governor-General and Lady Porritt at the official opening of the first New Zealand Polynesian Festival at the Sportsdrome, Rotorua. Korohi pō… Korohi ao Ko Rongo i tūria ki te mātāhau o Tū, Tū te winiwini, Tū te wanawana, Tū i whakaputaina ki te whai ao, Ki te ao mārama Tihe… mauri ora!