The proceedings were preceded, interspersed and ended by a powhiri and waiata from the London Maori Club Group, in which the glorious voice of Hannah Tatana predominated, soaring with the others up to the lofty ceiling. It seemed as though the hall was crowded with the tupuna of both races, with Pine Taiapa among us, as well as Inia himself. Today, the morning after the unveiling, the hall was full of people, gazing at this marvellous creation, carved by the hand of a remarkable man, embodying the inspiration of generations, and enshrining belief in the future. E hoa Inia, haere ki te marama o te pa o Runga Rawa. to tatou Ariki. Haere i te rangimarie o te

Rose Pere—Young Maori Woman of the Year, 1971–72 “Ki nga iwi o te motu, ki nga iwi e pae nei, tena koutou katoa. Tena koutou me o tatou tini mate, ka iri te huihui o Matariki ki te paerenga, e te iwi, a haere nga tini mate, haere, haere. Ko te hunga mate ki te hunga mate, ko te hunga ora ki te hunga ora, no reira kia ora ano koutou.” Born in Ruatahuna in the middle of of July 35 years ago, and brought up as a child at Waikaremoana, in the Urewera, I was strongly influenced by Maoritanga, my grandparents, and the rest of the elders who lived in our district. Our Maori elders fascinated us their ‘mokopunas’, with stories, speeches, songs, chants, and hakas. These kaumatuas could entertain and control us for hours on end, and were always very popular. There always seemed to be plenty to eat when one visited an old ‘kuia’ or ‘koroua’, but reflecting back, I realise it was probably all that some of these old people had, sometimes. Many of our families had very few material possessions, and were denied so many of the luxuries we enjoy today, and yet what I remember most vividly was the ring of laughter, song and music, the obvious happiness we shared as a people, because of the abundance of aroha—goodwill. There was a deep appreciation and respect for the human element above all things, the laws of conservation, including the natural environment and resources. Mind you, seeing other people's problems has made me realise all these things. I was one of the young people who took the elders and what they stood for, for granted. The best traditions and values of the Maori culture including the language (old New Zealand heritage), together with the worthwhile values, traditions, modern technology and skills brought in by other cultural and racial groups (new New Zealand heritage) may help to eradicate some of the human conflict and insecurity facing many of us today. We as New Zealanders in this multi-racial society need an identity that will give us a sense of unity, a sense of national pride, security, achievement and progress, in human, rather than material terms. The role of ‘Young Maori Woman of the Rose Pere. David Paul Studio