Te Toa Takitini 101

 

[1970]

Te Toa Takitini

Number 101

Registered at the GPO as a Newspaper.

The Price of the Paper is 10/- a year.

Address letters to ‘Te Toa Takitini,’ Box 300,Hastings.

1^st February, 1930.

[A SERMON – Untitled]

‘When he had seen the vision, we immediately tried to cross over to Macedonia, being convinced that God had called us to proclaim the good news to them.’  [Acts 16.10 NRSV}

He went on to say: ‘Fifteen years ago, at Christmas 1914, we gathered at Oihi to commemorate the centenary of the first proclamation of the good news to the Maori People. The first service was held. The sky was the roof for the people. The Christian story was told along with aspects of the teaching. There was an altar and kneelers for taking the Lord’s Supper. There was one loaf and one cup. Maori and Pakeha were close to one another on that day as if they were brothers through the power of God. But that day was besmirched by the fighting that broke out the following August. But the thought was that that day should not be forgotten by future generations of New Zealanders.

On the ship that brought Mr Marsden to Australia was a Maori. Mr Marsden observed that he was being badly treated. He observed him and heard his accounts of his Maori People. It was as if he was being told to cross over to Macedonia, just as Paul crossed over with the Gospel as described in the text at the beginning of this sermon. So the Gospel crossed into Europe. So by his presence, that Maori chief, Ruatara, seemed to be saying to Mr Marsden, ‘Cross over to Macedonia,’ that is, to New Zealand where his Maori People were living in darkness.

I shan’t speak at length about the Wiliams family, Henry and William, and their faithfulness and efforts in preaching the Gospel. That beautiful church has been built in memory of them at Paihia.

Today, when we have come together here to celebrate the centenary of the setting up of the first Mission to foster spiritual enlightenment and material learning, it is right that we make a place for this day in New Zealand history, for this is the day when Maori sought to carry the faith inland to Waimate.

[The pagination in Papers Past differs from the original paper.]

AN INVITATION TO ALL MAORI PEOPLE

EXTRA SPECIAL!!!

The Old Net is Laid Aside! The New Net Goes Fishing! [cf Nga Pepeha 1100]

Welcome! Welcome! Welcome!

Come bringing with you your heritage, your ancestors and your parents.

Come with love for our friends.

Bring love for our children.

Come, the Remnant of our Country.

 

Explore your widespread country. Tramp over your corresponding plains. Wade your deep rivers. Climb your lofty mountains.

Come onto the marae of Wai-o-mata-tini on Monday 3^rd and Tuesday 4^th March, so that your heart may embrace Te Poho o Porourangi sobbing here.

At night we sleep, we sit down at ease on our behinds, we get rid of our weariness, until the time arranged. Then we stand up revived to work, to discuss together the important matters that the Maori People wish to lay hold of in these days.

The activities and the discussions begin on the Wednesday and continue on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday, 5^th, 6^th, 7^th, 8^th, 9^th, 10^th, 11^th March.

The Matters to be Discussed:

1.      All aspects of the Treaty of Waitangi.

2.     Ways in which the Maori People may flourish in thee Pakeha time.

3.     The growth of farming.

4.     Liqu0r laws.

5.     The health of the Maori People.

6.     All aspects of the Bishopric of Aotearoa.

The Activities.

1.      The opening of the Momorial Hall  to Arihia and Makarini.

2.     The Tennis Tournament begins at Ruatoria.

3.     The Unveiling of the memorial stones to Arihia and Makarini on Sunday 9^th at 10a.m. and 3 p.m.

4.     The Dedication of Te Poho o Rawiri at Kaiti, Gisborne, 11^th March

‘E pa-wa koia-kiwi nga hau-e wha nei e!

Pupuhi-wi mai-neiwi ki taku-wu kiri-ewe:-‘  [sic]

Come, Te Waipounamu, the Tai-Hauauru, the Tai-Tokerau, and the Tai-Rawhiti, bringing Hope, Faith and Love.

 

Hon Sir A T Ngata,  Minister for Maori Affairs.

The Rt Rev F A Bennett,  Bishop of Aotearoa.

Tukere Te Anga Esq,  President of the NZ Maori Tennis Association.

And all the people.

Rev Tamahori, Chairman.        H Reedy, Secretary.

                        Co-operative Store, Tikitiki.

[1971]

 

[THE TE WAIMATE CENTENARY]

 

In 1830, Mr Marsden made his sixth visit to New Zealand in response to that request from the Maori. Mr Marsden thought it would be right to set up some other means of forwarding the work of the Church, namely, to set up this Mission inland which would provide means of supporting and consolidating the delivery of education and the faith. There would be a school which would teach technical skills to Maori and farming skill as well – which would also support the Mission.

Before this, food and flour all had to come from Australia. So it was right that this was done. There students learned the Gospel of God and the Gospel of Work.

The Pakeha missionaries were dependent on the goodwill of the chiefs for the fulfilment of that project. The missionaries were Rev William Yates, G Clarke (the father of Archdeacon Clarke), Allen Cross, and Richard Davis. John Hamlin put up a memorial to them in this church, and it is right that their names should be added to that of Mr Marsden for their great work in growing the Church in New Zealand.

We have set up our own memorial to those brave men who went to the Great War with such great strength and courage.

Would it not be right for us to set up a memorial to this great army of the Church who fought against ignorance, against the fearful things of the world, against evil, against false idols? It is certainly right that we should praise those people who came to do battle against the many established powers which were so different from those of the Church. Those people had great courage to live alongside the Maori customs of those days and amongst the Maori they planted the light. It was a result of their labours that New Zealand is now part of the British Empire. Therefore, let us not forget. Do not forget! Such are the great works that emerged from the Mission. The first road built in this country began at Kerikeri; it was used to carry timber for the Mission buildings. The first church was built in 1831. It was also the school.

The first Pakeha child born at Waimate, George Bloomfield Clarke, was baptised there.  The first Maori were also baptised there, eight of them. (What were their names?) In 1832 it was realised that the church was too small an a larger one was built in 1839. In 1841 the number of worshippers was 1000, and 500 took Holy Communion. In 1842 Bishop Selwyn’s house was erected at Waimate. The school which taught young and old was started. St John’s College was started. Some 300 were confirmed. Richard Selwyn, who was to become second Bishop of Melanesia, was born. The first Synod was held in 1844. It was the first synod of the Church since 1717, which is remembered as the time Convocation in England lost its powers. [It remained powerless from 1717 until 1852.]

[1972]

This church was built in 1872. It is not possible to say whether cannibalism continued in this area. However, in the time of this church, thousands of Maori and Pakeha fed on the Bread of Life. But one sad occurrence was the death of the Reverend Whitehead, the school teacher. In 1844 Bishop Selwyn moved to Auckland. The Church grew rapidly in Kaitaia through the efforts of Rev Matthew and Te Paki. Let us give Almighty God thanks and praise for these great works initiated by Mr Marsden and the first missionaries. Let us do the same in the coming days. Our young men have fought the Great War. The seeds sown by the missionaries have grown. Likewise it falls to us in these days to grow and promote things that will bring peace to the whole world. Our work is to provide memorial posts for the generations to come so that they will enlarge our mission.

TAIĀMAI

The explanation of this heading will become clear to us from his account. During the latter part of last year the Missionary Church of Ngapuhi issued a nationwide invitation to attend a day of commemoration, along with surviving Maori elders, on 12^th January, 1930. The first Mission House and site had been set up inland at Waimate at the request of the Maori in order for them to have the benefits of the good things brought by the first missionaries in those days – the Faith, Sunday Schools, schools to teach the faith and other skills such as growing wheat, making flour, making biscuits, and tilling the land. These things were done by the missionaries on the coast at Kororareka, Oihi, Paihia, at the Waitangi River mouth beyond the sea at Te Rere-i-haruru; places known to the whole world. It was here that the Pakeha first landed and preached the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The first thought was to spread more widely teaching about agriculture and all other subjects in the interior of the country. They wanted to spread the learning of the time based on the principles of the Faith planted by Mr Marsden as a result of his encounter with and his friendship with Ruatara. Therefore, we are aware of the importance of this subject which will bring together the remnant of the Maori People to express their gratitude and to celebrate with Maori and Pakeha elders the coming to the centenary of that event, now that those teachings have spread to the North and to the Four Winds – to the Tai Tokerau, the Tai Hauauru, Te Waipounamu, and the Tai Rawhiti. In these days it is easy to see

[1973]

what the elders achieved. It is easy to respond to the invitation and to gather here at Waimate, to express our thanks together, to eat together, to talk together, and to wonder at the great works they and others did. It is one hundred years from then until now. There has been an end to sitting down to gratify the throat with human flesh. You can sit on your behind on your own marae to listen to the advice of the Preacher. The heart has made peace between each tribe. As we come to the centenary of this generation’s enjoyment of those changes we travel about visiting many marae and elder brother salutes younger brother and they salute the elders, the child salutes the parent, a grandchild his grandparent.

What are their names? They have now been lost. But what we know for certain is that a Maori made the request and a Pakeha fulfilled it, that is, the pupils were those who made the request, and the teachers – those who made it happen established the first Mission at Waimate on 12^th January, 1830.

Through the fame and the excellence of those achievements, of those teachings which newly happened there, there is a new application of those beautiful words said by our ancestors of a good and thoughtful person as we come to this Centenary:

            E ta! E hine! I haramai ra koe i Taiāmai!

            Sir! Madam! You have come from Taiāmai. 

[A phrase used to welcome an honoured guest. Taiāmai is the area around Ohaeawai where the pūriri trees laugh on hearing good news - cf Nga Pepeha 977]

The Bishop of Aotearoa met with all Ngapuhi on Monday, 13^th January, 1930.  ‘You have come from Taiāmai.’

It may be the case that you have heard this kind of welcome at the wonderful hui held at Waimate in Ngapuhi territory on 12^th January that has just gone. That hui was called so that the whole country and the Church of England, Maori and Pakeha, could meet at Waimate to praise the Creator on the occasion of the first inland Mission where a start was made on teaching the faith, useful skills and wider learning. As a result of the elders of Ngapuhi seeing the good outcomes of the works that emerged from Oihi, over the bay from Kororareka in the Bay of Islands, where the preaching of the Gospel began with Mr Marsden on Christmas Day 1814, they asked that this ‘treasure’ be brought to the district of Te Waimatenga, that is, Waimate. From that time people increasingly called that district, Taiāmai.

About the good works. There was the Faith. The school taught the tools of learning, as well as how to clear bush, how to grow wheat for flour, how to build houses, along with the principles of the faith according to the Church of England.

[1974]

That place, the Mission, was totally dedicated to learning. The first people who assisted Mr Marsden there were all Christians and many of the people of Ngapuhi turned to that faith and this name of Taiāmai was applied to most of them.

People were very grateful that they could attend the hui and that it coincided with the appointment of the Maori Bishop. Besides that, the presence of so many young Maori Ministers, showed the fruit of all that was done in that century. It was wonderful that the Maori Bishop also came to Taiāmai for the beginning of the New Year. He confirmed and he baptised the Church disciples under the large puriri trees on the marae, with the sky, Ranginui, for a roof. The Bishop’s sermon and the sweet hymn singing of Ngapuhi were like treasures poured down from Heaven. It was like an anointing, and encouragement, for the New Year.

It seemed that everything about the beginning of their New Year was an acknowledgement of the one hundred years that had passed. It was clear to see the good fruits hoped for by those who first planted those beautiful seeds.

Also obvious was a sense of ‘whanaungatanga’ – being one family!  It seemed as thought we were younger and older siblings, parents and children.

We look forward to the days to come for ourselves and for those growing up, with the encouragement, ‘Go to Taiāmai!’

NEW ZEALAND MAORI TENNIS ASSOCIATION

The Fifth Annual Toa Takitini Tennis Tournament.

It starts at Ruatoria (Waiapu) and the Finals are at Kaiti (Gisborne).

Wednesday, 5^th March; Thursday 6^th March, Friday 7^th March, Saturday, 8th March.

At that time many matters of concern relating to the people as a whole will be dealt with.

THE PROGRESS OF THE MAORI PEOPLE

R[eweti] T K[ohere]

One’s heart wonders and gives praise for the progress made by the Maori People over the past 30 years, besides the increase in the population. The latter should make us very happy, but there has also been progress in all other ways. It is not that I have been told about this by others or that I have poked around in books; rather I have carefully observed all aspects of my own life in the world

[1975]

and have seen that the Maori People are making progress. I look back from the peak of eldership to the distant perspective over the 50 years that have slipped by and it is clear to me that the Maori People have made a great leap forward. The source of what I have to say are the tribes of the Tai-rawhiti for these are the people that I know best. And don’t let any perverse fellow say that in writing these things I am boasting, no, I want to encourage us to make even greater leaps forward, ‘so that the shag may reach the lofty mountain face.’

‘He rangai maomao kua huri ki tua o Nukutaurua e kore e hokia.’

A shoal of fish that passes around Nuku-taurua will not return.  [cf Nga Pepeha 677]

I have also written this for coming generations to see.

In my speech to the Te Aute Association in 1897, 32 years ago, my desire and my hope was that Maori houses would have verandahs, and that the floors would be of split timber, not sawn. I had seen houses like that and I too wanted a house with a verandah. You will not see a Maori house with a verandah now except in far away places, in the back-blocks. In the new villages all the houses have floors and are like Pakeha houses inside and outside. Many, many houses are filled with the plentiful gadgets of the Pakeha. There are pianos, telephones, and other things, and the baths in some houses are of ‘stone’ (in English, ‘porcelain’). We no longer have to carry water from the river or the spring; you have only to turn the tap and you have hot and cold water. I now feel shame and am embarrassed by the house with the verandah that I so longed for. And the people who had the houses with the verandahs that I coveted are now living in big houses. Is this not a leap forward? He mea tika me papaki au me taku whakanono iti. [? It would be right were I spanked on my small behind.]

Fences of interlaced poles have disappeared in these days. All fences are of wire, and in my area they are made by experts and are admired by travellers.

As for foods and the ingredients of food, in these days they are like those of the Pakeha, but whatever the food, nothing compares with the new produce of the soil, puha and kumara. The sweet foods of the Pakeha can’t equal them. Most people when they were children had no tea or bread. At school our mid-day meal was baked potatoes while the Pakeha children had bread and butter. I still remember my mouth watering with my longing for bread and butter. And now, in these days I don’t eat bread and butter; I give the bread to the chooks and the butter to the dog. Formerly we put the milk on platforms, the cream would float to the top, it would then be skimmed off and beaten with a wooden spatula until it became butter.  Now this practice is old-fashioned (text indistinct). Now when milking is finished the milk is put into the separator; in this way one gets more butter and it is also sweet.

[1976]

In those happy past days there were no knives and forks. The family had only one bowl; people did not have separate plates. The knives and forks in these days are of stainless steel. There were no cups or mugs but pannikins instead, and the sugar was brown. The brown sugar has gone along with the pannikins. Women in these days say that tea is sweeter if drunk from cups. But in those untroubled days of the pannikin tea was still sweet – very sweet, but now they will not drink tea with sugar from a pannikin. So then, if we Maori have made progress, we have also progressed in snobbishness.

Yes, snobbishness. Look at today’s clothes worn by women and made of crepe de chine, of georgette and voile and suchlike. In the past the woman’s clothes consisted of a print frock. We have been taught by the Pakeha to be snobbish. Young people nowadays are embarrassed if they don’t have a made-to-measure suit whereas in the past some would have had just a wrap-around, or stock trousers, or Mohican pants. The most rautete [?popular] mohicans were those that clung to your legs. Very few people owned boots in those days, and they were for Sundays and Hui. When my ancestor went to Parliament in 1872 he wore boots, but the roads in Wellington were so hard that he took off his boots and slung them over his shoulder. I have heard that people laughed at him in this new setting.

The new world would laugh at the sound of the kukau, that is, the Jew’s harp; that was the sound of my childhood. I remember -and here I must make a confession; I would like to be forgiven for stealing my sister’s Jew’s harp – I longed for a Jew’s harp. Many of the children in these days have never seen a Jew’s harp. In these days Maori play a piano, a fiddle, a guitar or a saxophone and some them are very proficient on them. These are all Pakeha instruments, but perhaps the ancestors of Ngatia Whatua played the roria [another name for the Jew’s harp] for one of their villages is called Tangi-te-roria.  Perhaps there is not a child today who is expert at playing Tutanekai’s koauau, a flute blown with the nose.

Should I not go on about our car? Some Maori despise the Ford and would be embarrassed to be seen in it.

During the years I attended Te Aute the pupils wanted to get a good Pakeha job. Not one pupil thought of farming as a prestigious   occupation. Many Maori young people went into Pakeha offices. Now, in these days, Maori have entered most Pakeha occupations. There are Maori lawyers, doctors, schoolteachers, translators, dentists, nurses, registrars, clerks, expert milkers,

[1977]

salesmen, carpenters, sailmakers, and tailors. In my district there is a company which has four stores and will soon have fifth. All the members of the committee who run this company are Maori; the manager and the secretary are Maori; the five clerks are Maori; most of the sales people are Maori, only three are Pakeha. In my district there is also a butter-making factory which belongs only to Maori and we hear favourable news of Tuhoe, Ngati Kahungunu at Te Wairoa, and Nuhaka as well as of Taranaki and other places involved with dairy farming. A great many Maori People are leaders in sheep farming. Timi Kara was Acting Prime Minister and a Minister of the Crown like his children after him, Pomare and Ngata. Four Maori serve as Council members for the counties of Waiapu and Matakaoa.

Although it is easy for a Maori to become a Minister in the Church it has not been easy for them to be promoted. However, in recent years Maori have been made canons, archdeacons, and now a bishop. The Pakeha did not want a Maori to be a bishop but because of Maori persistence they agreed.

It is clear that we have established ourselves within the Pakeha world. The Old World has passed away, the full moon shines on the New World. Two yeasts have made possible the progress of the Maori: the first is education, the second is farming.

God of our ancestors, of our fathers, do not forget your Maori People. Abide with us.

THE DARK CLOUD OVER SAMOA.

We are saddened by the trouble that is afflicting Samoa. [text unclear] the young chief of that people, Tamasese. He is a young person who grew up in the knowledge of the contemporary world. Like our own educated people he encourages each of his tribes to adopt practices which will increase learning and be profitable, while retaining the mana of their ancestors,

But because of what has been done that people has split in two; one party follows Malietoa and the other follows Tamasese and are known as Te Mau.

The explanations we have seen say that Tamasese belongs to the party that is angry about the way the Samoan islands are being governed. That governance was handed over to New Zealand after the previous rulers, Germany, had been defeated in the recent Great War of 1914-18.

[1978]

The taxes and the laws imposed by the New Zealand Government, the new authority, have triggered an outbreak of trouble involving the people and the Samoan Government.

During the Government of Massey and Coates, Sir Maui Pomare was Minister for those islands. In those days Sir Maui had extensive powers to ensure there was no trouble arising from their problems. His advice to the Pakeha inhabitants and to his Government was to be gentle in their dealings with the people. In Ward’s Government those islands came under Sir A T Ngata. In his reports to the Government he said that those people were rapidly adopting Pakeha ways. If they retained that attitude and swiftly adopted Pakeha ways, he foresaw that there would be major problems there, similar to those experienced by the Maori People.

It is said that Sir A T Ngata asked that he be given independent authority to deal with those people and their troubles. There was much heart-searching. This was agreed. Only in such a way could one start to think like a Samoan. Although they were very divided, it was thought that in this way they could be brought together and fostered. The basic idea which underlay everything was ‘Taihoa’ – by and by, take your time. Place had to be made for the lines of chiefs who were regarded as sacred by one section of the people who (quite rightly) believed that their mana had descended to them.

Blood was shed. Whatever the rights and wrongs of the situation, it was difficult to cope with the bruised hearts of women, of children, of the people as a whole. Despite disagreements people were sad and suffering. How could they be tranquillised?

It is said that he is a young man of faith. It is said that many prayers are being said by the ministers at funerals for that man that he be given a way of soothing and sweeping away that sadness.

The Maori heart is upset. It is a sympathetic heart. Even though this is a different island. But it is not so long since our ancestors separated from those people: we share the same [?tohinga] and the [?tu-a-ta-tanga] in the mind, and our skin colour is widespread.

But our ancestors have laid down the necessity of being kind to the Pakeha; many of us have joined the faith planted by Mr Marsden in 1814 which was welcomed to Waimate in 1830, that is, at Taiamai, the setting for the beautiful practices of the faith. Therefore, it is appropriate that we, out of love, express our hope that there will be a just decision made by the group looking into the troubles, based first on the laws of the faith and secondly on human laws.

[1979]

But, people, your ‘Toa’ has expressed to the Minister for the Islands, the Hon Sir A T Ngata, the distress of the people at these troubles, and their sympathy for the orphans and widows, and for all the people of Samoa, for this [rewanga - ?meltdown] of this ‘Black World.’ Our hope is for a world [?rere noa]. There come the dews, the zephyrs, the direct winds, the things measured out by the Almighty, whose depths we cannot grasp.

            We are saddened by this trouble.

            We weep for the widows and orphans.

            We hope that light will soon shine.

Maori Minister, may you be blessed, and lighten this darkness spread over the people of Samoa.

THIS NAME – AOTEAROA

To the Editors of Te Toa Takitini.

Greetings to you both, the strong and capable ones who care for the sayings of our fathers and ancestors. Greetings also to the tribes, and to our Bishop, who has been called Bishop of Aotearoa. He was not uneasy about having that name. He freely took that name. The name has been given to him and it has been peacefully welcomed by all the country’s tribes. For us, he is our friend; that is sufficient for us. This matter was dealt with before. Therefore, greetings to you the leader, Bennett. Be faithful as your Heavenly Helper is faithful. Amen.

As for this name, Aotearoa: my friend, Hakere Paraone, greetings. I have seen what you have written. You know a great deal. To reinforce what you write you put a different slant on the Aotea Heart. It is what lawyers do! They put the question a different way so as to put the person in the dock in the wrong. Therefore, much of what you write is childish. It has no basis. It was I who spoke of the Aotea Heart. That was why the canoe was given that name. But you are twisting it.

I shall respond to your words directed at me. Then I shall explain things to you all. You do not know the name of Kupe’s wife. Nor do you know who brought this canoe, Aotearoa, to its eventual landing place. It is a mystery to me why you are so antagonistic towards me. So I am giving one side of the my explanation to you, but all can hear it.

This saying, the Aotea Heart, [te ngakauaotea] did not apply to the abundance of food, but to the fine quality of a person’s heart, of their mana. It was used by Toto of the good heart of a person. So, we have this different application of the proverb. What you say is all new and is a contemporary interpretation, not that of the ancestors.

[1980]

What you all say is right, but you disagree [?hari sic - ?hara – wrong] on your interpretation. Therefore, I shall not explain it.  Wirepa says one thing and Tuhitaare Hemi another. As for your understanding, Hakere Paraone, you flatly say that it was the wife of Kupe who gave that name to this country. Yes, but none of you tells us the name of Kupe’s wife, or who was that woman’s father, or whose was the Aotearoa canoe. I say that Kupe’s wife was Kuramarotini. She was the woman who owned the Aotearoa canoe. Kuramarotini was also married to Toto. Before Te Rongorongo she was married to Turi. But the canoe was split in half by Toto and half was given to Kuramarotini. She also slept with her first husband, Hoturapa. Subsequently Kupe went and invited Hoturapa to go fishing. Hoturapa agreed, Kuramarotini said that they should all go on board Aotea. Kupe said, ‘No, Matahorua is the canoe we’ll use.’ Then they put out to sea. They stopped. After a long time they set about pulling up the anchor but were unable to raise it. What had happened was that Kupe had said an incantation which ensured that the anchor was stuck. Now, I still know that incantation, but that is not relevant. Then Kupe told Hoturapa to dive for the anchor. He replied, ‘Cut the rope!’ Kupe, told him to dive, lest they tangle the anchor and the rope. So Hoturapa dived down, whereupon Kupe cut the rope and Hoturapa died there.

This was the journey on which Kupe abducted Kuramarotini. Kuramarotini’s heart went out to her husband and his canoe that they had left behind. She continually repeated the name of his canoe in her lament out of love for him. When they arrived at this land Kuramarotini gave the name of his canoe to the island. When they arrived at this island she gave the name Aotearoa to this island only, and not to any other part. That’s that.

My friend, Hakare Paraone, Toi-te-huatahi did not come to this land. He died on the other side of the ocean. And what’s more, the Toi who came to this island was Toi-taniwha. The other Toi did not. The one who did was different.

As for what I said, you say that I am right and that my word applies to the peoples of the country who are subject to Government policies. They apply but they leave the country’s problems lying helpless. They are addressed by being schooled in the Law, that is the learning by which one can discover those ways that work for oneself, leaving aside the issue of the plight of the nation’s tribes. These ills are not caused by people, but are rather visited upon the land and the people by God. Therefore, they will not be successfully addressed by those who apply human law, but we must enter and look into the God’s law, and the principles that have been laid down

[1981]

for us in the Scriptures. It is God who will bring the fulfilment. He raises up speakers who tell what he would have done. Such is the message of Te Ua Haumene, a godly voice. Te Ua has pointed out the significance of all that God has done in our presence, up until today.

The Gospel has brought God to us in this country, to the lost sheep of the House of Israel. The manifestation amongst us is the King, Potatau. Potatau has the authority of God. God has given [?power] to those who took up weapons, as in Waitara. The country was aflame. Men died, the land died. This was God’s conquest. The God-given authority passed down to Tawhiao.  This was the time of Te Ua. Te Ua was not wrong in what he said. Te Ua, in our presence, spoke of the things that were true, and did not deviate. Therefore, my friend Paraone, what you say is right, but the substance is dry. However, the words apply right up to the present day. At that time this is what Tawhiao said to Te Whiti: ‘Whiti, afterwards look to the things unseen. I am returning. At Tarawiri my food, day and night, will be tears. Leave me to cultivate the beach spinach and feast on the fruit of the kawariki swamp plant [?ranunculus].’

Tohu and Te Whiti came out. Let me give directly the explanation. Tohu and Te Whiti stood up under oath. Their home had suffered in war. God had given it to them. In 1881, 7000 soldiers came to attack it and to destroy it. The guns were not fired. Now, my friend Hakere, this was when permanent peace descended on the land. What was said was, ‘Time has brought about this conclusion. You will see all the things associated with God’s salvation.’ What is advancing this in these days is the Maori Bishop. You say that it was you who set up the Bishop. It was not you. I say that it was The Time in the light of Tohu’s words which he spoke about bringing justice to the country and the world. Therefore, my friend Hakare Paraone, what about us? We are like those fellows without the Spirit to whom it is said in James 5.10, ‘Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience.’ [AV] Therefore, let us not despise the voice speaking in the name of God. Best wishes to you. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to the Editors.

Kapua Rangitaua Keepa

Purangi

We appreciate the contributions of all our friends who have sent articles explaining this name, ‘Aotearoa.’ The clarification will help to satisfy the mind of anyone who is thinking about the matter and is seeking an answer. Our hope is that the matter you are diligently looking into will reach a successful conclusion, and that is will not remain as a longstanding matter being tugged

[1982]

to the right and the left by your lofty mountains and my small peaks and being pulled apart, and that Aotearoa will be the name for the Maori Bishop.

In these days, the voice of The Time is seeing deep within the Maori Heart, the fulfilment and the confirmation of the prophecies  of those elders  who have departed before us. And you, Kapua R Keepa and your many friends occupied with this matter, and my Many Warriors, are clearing away the undergrowth of ideas so that the marae is clear to welcome the Guest-from-afar, introduced by the ancestors in 1814 at Oihi and at Waimate in 1830. January 12^th, 1930, will mark the centenary and the beginning of the new century.

The motto of our paper which publicises your work and distributes your articles to the four corners of the Maori world is:

            Ehara taku toa i te toa takitahi;

engari he toa takitini taku toa!

I don’t have just one warrior,

but many, many warriors.  [cf Nga Pepeha 93]

You are the ones we are speaking of. Therefore, be strong. May the Creator bless you greatly.

                                                The Editors.

 WHAT ARE WE TO DO?

Greetings.

I am very grateful for the precious stories relating to the ancestors who have passed on to the afterlife. Your name is appropriate. Tuhotoariki said,

Ehara taku toa i te takitahi, engari he toa takitini taku toa. [See above.]

Indeed you give voice to the many thoughts of the people – the great and the small, the upright and the foolish, and the treasures of those who havpassed on. All is well. You also find ways of writing up the good ideas and of sifting through the issues you publish. I am amazed at the ways you have set out the different understandings of the origin of the name Aotearoa that have been set down by those experts on this matter. And there have been articles about our faith in the Holy Trinity and many other matters. I either smile at them or my heart mocks them. Sometimes there have been four or even five such articles. Some say we should be baptised by total immersion; some say we should be denied baptism; some say we should be proclaiming prophetically; some say we should only allow the name of spokesmen to be used of those engaged in ‘important’ work, working the land; while some are for cutting up the Lord’s Prayer, but one part only.

Perhaps this is the significance of this name Te Toa Takitini – The Many Fighters!

[1983]

And so, the Bishop of Aotearoa is coming! [Archbishop] Redwood of the Catholics stands there! Here we have the President of the Mormon Church preaching! In Taranaki the Wesleyan Bishop is shepherding. Where is the Seventh [?Day Adventist or Church of the Seven Spirits of God] Bishop living! So much for the Churches’ side.

As for secular issues….. In these days efforts are being made to unite the people under the Treaty of Waitangi. Some think this is up to Ngata, or Pomare, or Tau Henare, or Rikihana, the people in Government, to promote the Treaty of Waitangi. One new group says that it should be left to [?piriwiritua] to deliver autonomy under the Treaty of Waitangi. Petitions are circulating throughout the country for the Maori People to sign to show that they agree.

These are all Toa Takitini – Many Warriors. Editors, presently we will find ourselves debating our ideas with ourselves.  Please give us some enlightenment. When it comes to these matters, most of us are still sitting in Classes A, B and C, because these people are just teaching us what they believe. They are saying that the people are suffering because of the members. What are such people supposed to be doing? As we see it, they should be carefully looking into things to counteract those others there, and then there will be an abundance of educated, informed talk.

Some of us have signed those petitions to ease our consciences. On the other hand, they are now reconsidering. We have heard the news that the President of the Mormons has instructed Mormons not to sign. So, are our churches not asking the same questions?

From your servant,

Irihia Tukumaru,

Waihaku. 20/1/30

 

 

You are asking the two of us some extraordinary questions. Where do you come from? Who are you? Your thoughtful words lead us to welcome you from our hearts. ‘Welcome, extraordinary questions.’

That is indeed the reason behind our use of that proverb, therefore you have been added  to that group, you are one of the Toa Takitini – the Many Warriors.

Each person in their own place adopts the teachings of his faith and is loyal to the captain of his particular canoe. And it is the same with matters relating to material well-being. Members are elected every three years. So it is only for a short time that we are not at odds with one another politically. This is because we are often in two minds about the members. This is a good thing. This apportionment, friend, is a precious thing offered to us, from the days of our forebears to the present. Those [?tiriti  (sic) – frequent changes]

[1984]

make for life or death for us and the Pakeha. If a man cares for himself, his possessions, and his mana under that change he will thrive, if not, he will not thrive, because, whoever he is, if he does not care for himself or put himself under the care of a wise person he will find himself badly off materially, spiritually and mentally.

As for signing this petition you speak about, those who sign it but are ignorant of what it is asking for are foolish. But those who try to understand the hearts of those pressing them to sign - are they low-born or thoughtless moths – will be aware that a petition is a precious thing and can be manipulated. One adds one’s name to guide the wise people in Parliament as they consider what is being asked for in the petition. Enough of this. Another consideration. A person may not be able to sign if he loves his own faith and his Church, because the preface requires him to swear to place his body and soul under the direction of someone else, for ever and ever, Amen. Such are the closing words above.

Indeed, where can one find the registration of this name in the [?piriwiritua]? If it has been registered, where does one find the registrar? Who is the spokesman mentioned in the preface to the petition? Why has it been said that it has been left lying in the temple? Very little in the Treaty of Waitangi is like the upside-down delivery of petitions which seek to overturn the infringements of the laws which relate to the treasures of your ancestors. It is right that the words of petitions should be clear along with the proposals made in those petitions. If the thoughts of those writing the petition or of the committee setting out the petition are mixed up, or the thinking of the spokesman or the [?piriwiritua] mentioned there differs, or those of Ratana, the head of the Church, differ, then, when the people at large are asked to sign such a petition it is right to describe it as a joke, just a childish exercise, a kind of fruit of activity which belittles and drags down the right thinking, the clear thinking of those who are skilled in the great work of public service.

We have been told that Ratana is not responsible for this aspect of the petition, rather some of the ‘learned’ young people in that organisation are ill-treating and carrying away the clear principles that can be grasped by the people at large, the broad agreements of the country.

[1985]

We have no desire to, and we cannot be bothered to pursue this matter. You asked for our opinion and so we have given our explanation. Also, some good explanations were given at the recent Waimate Hui. On Monday, 30^th January, 1930, those petitions were laid before that large Ngapuhi hui. All the Churches and the leaders of Ngapuhi had assembled on the marae at Waimate. The groups were asked to give their opinions about that matter.

Tomoana said that he was unable to sign that petition because of the words written at the top of that petition, because it would have required him to abandon his faith which he loved and was zealous for. He also criticised those presenting the petition to the hui who said, ‘Ngata and Pomare say that the Treaty is dead.’   

THE TROUBLE IN SAMOA

Reports of the trouble in Samoa telling of the shedding of the blood of some of the leading chiefs of those Polynesian islands have been sent by one of the leading Samoan lawyers, a man of Samoan blood, and Te Toa has passed them on to you. He is Isi Kronfeld, a barrister (a lawyer in the Supreme Court). He wrote in the Auckland Weekly News, 15^th January, 1930. That report said:

[I have referred to and in some places used the Auckland Weekly News article in my translation. – Barry Olsen]

Many Samoans prepared for the day Smythe was to arrive. He was one of the three who were deported. The others were Nelson and Gurr. They came to welcome this man who had been exiled. That was what kindled the flame with such terrible results. The welcome feast had been arranged in the village of Vaimoso, the headquarters for those Samoans who call themselves the ‘Mau,’ and where they carried out all their customary rituals on important occasions just as their ancestors did.

At about 6 in the morning the group left Vaimosa. There wase some 1500 of them headed by the high chief Tuimalealiifano and marched to the strains of a brass band. Wearing the distinctive emblems of the Mau they marched five abreast. Some 40 of their own police carried batons and marched on the flanks.

They were approaching Tivoli Wharf from the west when another party of the Mau were seen approaching from the east. The Government police were seen to be stationed by the Government Offices. They did not carry a single gun but were armed with batons. Their instructions were to arrest a man called Matau from that party.

When the party arrived in front of them, that man was soon spotted and

[1986]

Sergeant Fell went to seize him. The policeman was struck down and immediately there was a hue and cry.

At this point the back-up group of police arrived. They had been standing by. It had been arranged that they would come if they were called. They were an armed reinforcement. One of the police ran to arrest a man at the front of the marchers. The man ran towards the sea. The policeman followed and caught up with him. A gun was fired twice and the man fell at the second shot.

There was an outbreak of lamentation and bullets flew. Many of the Samoans fell. The windows of the Government Offices were smashed with stones as was that of the Government Law Officer.

Constable Abraham, who was a member of the armed reinforcement was knocked down by a blow from a hatchet or a knife. He rushed into a small alleyway and evidently emptied his revolver as he retreated. He fell and was pommelled to death.

High Chiefs Tamasese and Faumuina were marching at the rear of that column, and when the trouble occurred their voices could be heard exhorting their men to keep the peace.

When the men did not listen to him [Tamasese] ran to the front of the column and received shots in the hip and the arm. A thirteen year-old boy jumped in front of his chief and was killed, along with two others. Lewis guns then played for a couple of seconds from the verandah of the police station, firing over the heads of the mob in different directions. Tuimaliifano was seen waving his arms and exhorting the men to quieten. Faumuina also stood before the mob and the fighting stopped. The wounded were taken to Vaimoso by car. Within forty minutes of the first incident the Mau returned to their village.

The injured were reluctant to go to the hospital, but thanks to the influence of Father Deihl, who arrived soon afterwards with the doctor, they agreed to go to be seen by the doctor.

This whole incident as as unexpected as it was distressing. It is well known that many of the Mau are wanted by the police authorities [not only for political but also] for criminal offences.

Some six weeks ago High CVhiefs Tuimalealiifano and Faumuina returned from Auckland and a great reception awaited them. It was made clear that those wanted for criminal offences should not attend,

[1987]

but many of those wanted men dared to come into Apia. The authorities made no attempt to arrest them. However, at this time an order went out that those people should not be permitted to come into Apia. Both Tuimalealiifano and Tamasese spoke strongly against those people coming in this party  but the High Chiefs gave way to the majority and those people joined the party. This was the source of the trouble. They took the warning more as a joke.

It was then as a result of the clash of the forces of the law and the misguided attempts of some of the Mau to prevent the enforcement of the law that this sad event occurred. Tamasese and six other members of the Mau were killed and forty were wounded.

Many [28] were taken to the hospital. There has been great praise for the doctors and nurses. Rumours were spread that if they went to the hospital they would be arrested and killed and several fled. On better information they returned to the hospitals where they remain and are receiving excellent treatment.

Early on the Sunday, when it was known that he was dying, Tamasese was taken to Vaimoso where he died at 8.45 a.m. He was deeply mourned. He had the right to be buried with his ancestors among the late kings of Samoa, but [that meant the cortege coming into Apia] and probably exciting more trouble and so Lepea was chosen for the place of burial.

He was a good and kind man, and a blessing to his people. It was widely acknowledged that he was an excellent leader of his people in what was right and just. Although he had taken a stand with the opposition over important issues, he was widely respected by his political opponents for his stand on broader issues of concern to his people.

THE STORY OF RAUPARE

P H Tomoana

The source of this name, Raupare, which was given to a famous part of Heretaunga which is now called Raupare District, is found in the story of the child of Taraia and Hinepare.

When Raupare was born, Taraia thought that presently when she became a woman a stranger would take authority over Heretaunga. His  idea was to hide his child. Perhaps he would kill her. Or he would build a house for his thoughts. This is how he was thinking according to the story told by Te Meihana Takihi and written down by his younger brother, Te Uamairangi in 1889.

Ngai Tamawahine’s pa is Te Mingi, and that of Taraia is Tahuna-a-moa near Te Wai-o-Hiki.

That elder thought that he should build a house where he could voice his [?whangaro - ?secret] thoughts about his child, Raupare. He would name that house Te Rangi-ake-i-Ngata; another of the names was Raroakiaki.

The building was erected during the night. When the main post to hold the ridgepole was to be put in place, Taraia fetched the child. When he was approaching the hole for the post, Hinepara called out to Tu-whaka-whiurangi who was nearby, ‘Sir, don’t you have any pity for your young female relative who is being so badly treated by her father?’

Tu-whakawhiurangi jumped up and ran for a cloak that was hanging there. He wrapped it around a stone. He asked to have the child which he also wrapped in the cloak. When she was given to him he passed her to her mother. Then the stone still wrapped in the cloak was tossed into the hole and it was heard to thud as it hit the bottom. So Raupare survived but was hidden from Taraia. Some time after, Taraia learned of this and was very angry but he never learned where Raupare was hidden.

The child grew up and was taken into the forest by Te Ariari-o-Te Rangi to be his wife. This forest was known as Pokai-rikiriki.

There they married. When she was about to give birth she thought about clothes for her child. One night she went to the village. Going to her home she took the clothes. When she came out she saw her mother sitting there. She stood on the old lady’s hand so that she woke and called out, ‘A thief! A thief!’ Taraia jumped up and seized Raupare. ‘Aue, it is Raupare!’ ‘Rau, who has made you like this? Who are you with?’ The girl replied, ‘I am with Te Ariari-o-Te Rangi.’

Taraia was upset. He called out, ‘Tu (Tuwhakawhiurangi), this is your woman! This is your woman!’ He asked, ‘Who is she with? Who is she with?’ ‘With Te Ariari-o-Te Rangi.’ The man slept and in the morning he assembled the war party. He sought Ariari’s pa – Te Awahou, Te Pouurewa, and Waikare, and defeated them. He went on to Ohiwia River. There Tuwhakawhiurangi called out:

Enough, sir! I have ovens for cooking people; you have our woman.’

Ariari-i-Te Rangi called out:

‘E, you have the small woman; I have the large woman.’

Then Tuwhawhiurangi called out:

‘So you say! So you say. Is that the case with you? I will taunt the young woman of Ruaruahanga! I will draw it up from the Mangawhero current. I will draw it up.’

Tuwhakawhiurangi departed and arrived at Tahuna-a-moa. He smashed the house Taraia had built and threw Taraia’s ‘god’ into the pa. Taraia observed this for a long time and then he called:

‘Tu, smash down my house but leave my ‘god’.’

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Te Toa Takitini 100

 

[1021]

TE TOA TAKITINI

Registered at the GPO as a Newspaper.

Number 100.

Hastings

1^st December, 1929

Let this Hundredth Edition

be a loving gift for Te Kauhanganui

This edition of your paper  is larger.

There is no Toa Takitini in January,

so that the two of us can have a rest.

Rejoice and be glad for Christmas

and the New Year.

The Editors.

 

Published by Rev P Hakiwai and P H Tomoana, and printed at Cliff Press, Queen Street, Hastings, HB.

 

[1922]

 

Te Toa Takitini

Registered at the GPO as a Newspaper.

The Price of the Paper is 10/- a year.

Address letters to ‘Te Toa Takitini,’ Box 300, Hastings.

1^st December, 1929

 

MERRY CHRISTMAS

The thoughts of many are looking forward to the time when we greet affectionately the Word made Flesh. Merry Christmas! It is a time of rejoicing, a time of great happiness. If a person does not give this greeting it is left to creation to pronounce it. Such is the immensity of this day.

Many perhaps will utter this greeting without knowing the real significance of tbose words. For us Maori, this is our understanding of the season and its meaning: (1) It is a time for a feast and for consuming a lot of food. It is time of celebration when we drink together. It is a time to show off the fine clothes we have bought with the fruits of the summer’s work. (2) It is also the ending of a year, particularly for the elders. They are grateful that they have survived for another Christmas. It is the signal and excuse for getting people together. People celebrating the day will make every effort to have the food of their choice.

But Maori are perceptive people. They know this: there is one thing thy reject, that is, being quickly satisfied with Christmas as a Maori gathering. They don’t go about shouting about Christmas. They are aware how serious an occasion it is. Their Christmases can be limited. Sometimes it will be just one man and his family who celebrate Christmas together.

But what afflicts Maori and Pakeha as well, who observe the customs around Christmas is that they leave out the essence, the Living Heart, of the observances of that day. They commit themselves to the worldly side – eating, drinking, and the crazy things, but they devote very little to the spiritual side – worship and praise, the sharing of peace, joy in the Spirit.

But some will say, ‘What is spiritual joy?’ Spiritual joy comes from knowing the things that make for real happiness. It is a joy that springs up within you; it is not something from outside you that springs up and comes out. It was spiritual joy that Hannah expressed when she had her son, Samuel: ‘My heart exults in the Lord,’ etc. [1 Samuel 2.1]

[1923]

David knew spiritual joy: ‘David danced before the Lord.’ [2 Samuel 6.16]  Simeon rejoiced spiritually ‘Lord, now lettest thou thy servant’ etc. [Luke 2.29] And the hosts of heaven rejoiced spiritually saying: ‘Glory to God in the highest heaven’ etc. [Luke 2.13]

We see from this that spiritual joy means: PUTTING GOD FIRST AND YOURSELF AFTER. If this is done then all your observances of CHRISTMAS DAY will be right.

CHRISTMAS DAY: This is a happy day, a day for rejoicing at the birth of God’s Son into the world. There is rejoicing everywhere, from Heaven to lowest earth. It was a Feast observed from the time of the ancient Church right down to the present day, but not always on the same date. Clement of Alexandria said that some observe it on 20^th May and some a whole month earlier. The Eastern Church observed it alongside the Epiphany, 6^th January, because it was said that that was the day Christ was baptised. The Church of Constantinople turned the day back to 25^th December, and this was adopted by other Churches including ours. But the Armenian Church still holds its Christmas on 6^th January.

Although there were variations in the observance before, most of the [Western] Christian world now celebrates that Day on 25^th December. So what are you waning to do on this 25^th December? How are you going to celebrate your Christmas? This was what the Angels did: ‘Glory to God in the Highest and peace on earth, goodwill to all men.’ [Luke 2.13-14]  Although he was God he took upon himself the lowly nature of a person. [Philippians 2.6-8] He was born in a stable. [Luke 2.7] He was poor. [2 Corinthians 8.9] All this was done by the Son of God for your sake and mine. What have we done for him?

Shall we just be happy? That is perhaps not enough. Or should we  be like the Magi; we could spread gifts that give joy, or we could involve ourselves in the causes for which he came into this world? We present those gifts, those sacrifices, at the time of the Holy Communion. This is the great service on Christmas Day.

Greetings to you all! Merry Christmas!

REMEMBER ‘TE TOA TAKITINI.’

This is the last edition of the paper for the Old Year, therefore, our thoughts go to those who provide articles, those who take the paper. We remember also to send our greetings and many ‘thankyous,’ along with our love to you all for your many blessings At last many people

[1924]

are supporting your paper. The leaders of each Church and people who didn’t know that ours was a Maori paper have heard about it, have seen it, and have subscribed to it. Messages have heaped up – messages of thanks, words of support, hopes that the number of subscribers will increase, and messages appreciating the articles which teach, advise, direct, and explain, and which are sent directly to individuals, to hapu, and to people whether Pakeha or Maori, or they give explanations. It is by your greetings that we are blessed, therefore, we salute all of you.

Amidst the encounters with sadnesses and things which have caused pain to body and heart which we have suffered during the Old Year, we hope that all of you will be aware of the blessings of the Almighty during the days of Christmas and the days of the New Year from the Full Tides to the Ebb Tides.

Love one another. Families, hapu, tribes, groups, gatherings of people, let us have your unspoken ideas, your kind thoughts, concerning yourself, or about your group or others, for your newspaper, Te Toa Takitini, singly or together. It is up to you, or perhaps the Editors when they see it, whether the item will be made available to the nation.

It would be a great gift if you who take the paper could get five other people to take it. Without a doubt our treasure, which is highly thought of at this time, would flourish greatly.

Subscribers to Te Toa Takitini, this is your salutation to the country:

Bishops, Wise People, Spokesmen, you Elders of the many Maori Churches, Sir Maui Pomare, Sir Ngata, Tau Henare, Tuiti Makitanara, Rikihana, Orators from the Five Winds, the Rito Toetoe-mata, and the various ancestors - a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you all.

OTHER ITEMS

The new Governor of New Zealand is to be Lord Bledisloe. He will arrive in February, 1930. He is an expert in agriculture.

The Hon T M Wilford is relieving Sir James Parr as spokesman for New Zealand in England.

[1925]

We have heard reports that Byrd and his party have reached the South Pole.

The Maori of the Bay of Plenty have given the Government 6000 acres in payment for the rates owed on their lands, an amount of £25,000.

An English party is overseeing the German territory taken to pay for the expenses of the recent Great War. They are disturbed at finding that [the Germans] have abandoned 8000 children. The American party of 15,000 have moved on. How many children have they left?

McWilliam, Kingsford-Smith’s representative in the area, has said that the German aircraft used in the area have been passed on to other nations.

On 22^nd December, Rev Rangiaho and Rev Moana were ordained as Priests, and Wanoa of Ngati Porou was made a Deacon, by the Bishop of Waiapu.

G K Chesterton says that if someone is very rich his worries also increase; they do not decrease.

Dean Inge said, ‘I hope that you will be very careful in choosing your occupation. The work that will be right for you is work that you can do very well, work that you enjoy doing, that makes you happy and joyful all the days of your life, because, in middle age work diminishes in importance and this thing, sport, increases the well-being of your body.’

We have heard that Dr Te Rangihiroa has been appointed Commissioner for the Cook Islands – Tonga, Rarotonga,  Samoa and Niue.

If he is free, it would be good if the Minister of Maori Affairs could go to Samoa to see if he could help Samoa which is groaning at the great pains inflicted on them by the rulings of the Commission. Perhaps by his sympathy and his Maori understanding he will be able to get to the bottom of that trouble.

We have heard the strong statements of Sir Maui and Ngata which are different from those laid down by their Governments but which are based on their Maori thinking.

As we see it, it is like the days of Te Whiti and Tohu, and so it is clear that it needs to be dealt with quickly lest this people get dispirited by the thought that the mana of their ancestors might be violated. If the violation is bad, then the wheels of the law should turn to set it right. If things are not clear to them then the Maori language and the compassion of the Minister might gently ease the sorrow on those Maori islands. One’s heart longs for the time when there will be one Maori language for the islands of The Great Ocean of Kiwa – the Pacific.

[1926]

Huata, Turi and the Minister have visited Mohaka to see the condition of the Maori lands before committing money to their improvement. That is good. Be strong, Ngati Pahauwera! Thirteen thousand pounds have been requested for your benefit.

LETTERS RECEIVED.

To Te Toa

Greetings. On 26^th November the party from afar, the annual party, the party that inspires fear, the party of the Minister descended upon Tuhoe here. Ah ha ha! People shuddered.

The purpose of the visit was to involve the people of Matatua, Te Arawa and Waikato in the grieving for Arihia and her son, Makarini. They arrived on 26^th. There was grieving at the marae. Everyone lamented.  The greetings were that night. The Minister outlined the business. The greetings being finished, the Commissioners proceeded with the business of consolidating the shares in Ruatoki 1, 2 and 3, and selling them to the Crown. ‘The Registrar, Anaru Tiweka, is here. It is up to you to let him know what you want now.’ After the Minister had spoken, people stood to speak of Tuhoe’s desires.

The main matter was requesting the Minister to make available mortgage money to all Tuhoe to help with farming, and the setting up of a group to act as a go-between between the tribe and the Board. The Minister agreed to this.

Although the Tuhoe titles had not yet been agreed, Tuhoe were keen to select their group so that they would have a strong and united voice like that of the Tairawhiti Group of which they had heard. This is the Group:

1.      Teihi Paerata

2.     Erueti Biddle

3.     Tamarehe Waewae

4.     Wiremu Tereina

5.     Tuiringa Mokonuiarangi

On 27^th, the Minister of Maori Affairs opened the new Cheese Factory at Ruatoki. Many of the managers of the Cheese and Butter Factories from other places attended, along with the Member for the Bay of Plenty. An exceedingly large number of others were present. The important thing in the speech of the Maori Minister was his request that they deal honestly with Maori and not sell them bad cows, that is, cows that had been culled.

After dinner the Minister’s party moved on to Whakatane, to Ngati Awa. On that day Rua and his tribe

[1927]

assembled at Ruatoki. What an  arrival! How quickly was Ruatoki taken over.

Best wishes to the Editors.

Teihi Paerata

Ruatoki, 3/12/29

To the Editors of Te Toa.

My friends, best wishes to all of us. I have remembered the notice published in our paper; that this is the time to start gathering together the country’s Maori waiata. Therefore, the first thing I must do is praise the Maori Minister and his Group for their diligence and their efforts to bind in a volume the treasures of our fathers. But, Editors and all, who are bringing out the new Nga Moteatea, the waiata of some tribes are ascribed to a different tribe. And in the notes, it is said that the waiata is a song invoking curses on its own tribe.

A person would be ashamed to belong to these tribes given the explanations of some of the waiata. Now, my desire in writing is to express the hope that, before our treasure is put into book form, informed people from each of our hapu might meet with the Minister to discuss the waiata before they are published.

My friends, this is not a criticism but  the expression of a heartfelt concern that your weary work, your learning, your stout-heartedness, your efforts, which you are devoting to the country’s treasures, may result in an accurate book.

H Thomas

Ngati Te-Roto-i-te-rangi

Rotorua,  7/12/29

THE NAME ‘AOTEAROA’

To the Editors.

Greetings to the two of you. Blessing upon both of you who put together our paper. Kia ora.

It is obvious that the matter of this name ‘Aotearoa’ is important, therefore, I want to contribute this article. This name was given by the wife of Kupe who brought it from Hawaiki. She conferred it on this island – Aotea. This word ‘Aotea’ relates to the good heart of a man, one who devotes himself to growing food. When the food store standing there is full, it is called an ‘aotea,’and one’s heart is glad. It is the same as in the saying, ‘He ao-te-rangi ka uhia,’ An ao-te-rangi is spread over a person. When one is sheltered by a cloak it is called an ao-te-rangi.

Eventually reports arrived in Hawaiki saying that there was an abundance of food on Te Ika-roa-a-Maui [the North Island] – piles on land and piles in the sea. There was no need for hard manual work – the tide brought it to land –

[1928]

food for mankind, food for birds, food for all the reptiles. It was Kupe and his wife and the people with them who arrived at Pikiparie Island where they saw the food all heaped up. The island was full of paua, kina [sea-urchins], pupu [winkles], rimurimu [seaweed], tio [rock oysters], hapuku [groper], terakihi, and other seafoods. When they looked to the land they saw birds flapping their wings – the kuku [pigeon], the kaka [parrot], and other birds suitable for food. They called that island ‘Aotea.’ [Williams – one meaning of aotea is ‘food.’] They looked at the Hauraki Gulf which was full of kutai [mussels] and other seafoods, which led them to lengthen the name to Aotearoa [Extensive Food.] It was carried throughout the whole island in speech, and crossed to Te Waipounamu. The usage knew no boundaries, a spread which began from Hawaiki. The woman gave the land the name, ‘Aotearoa’; the man’s name was given to the ocean, ‘The Seas of Kupe.’ Their descendants call them by these names up to the present days.

So you of the houses of learning – Kapua Rangataua and Tuhitaare Heemi, the authority of the voice of the woman is from of old. It is right that the woman should name it. The woman welcomes the visitors and there is calm. The woman makes peace and it holds. Look at Te Arawa’s place for oratory. And at Hongi Hika’s battle – it was the voice of a woman that saved him.

Satan knew the power of a woman’s voice. He set about getting at the woman first and it was the woman who spoke to her husband, Adam, and they both fell into sin. When God sent the Spirit of Life into the world it was into the woman and Jesus Christ emerged. His coming was by way of a woman. Likewise, this name Aotearoa was given to this country by a woman.

Two important things were created by God here below – land and woman. From the land came food and from woman came the people who live all over Aotearoa.

When Kupe returned to Hawaiki he told everyone about everything, including the seafoods. He also told them the way they could all get here.

It was hearing of the seafoods that brought Toi-te-Huatahi here.  When he arrived he looked for food on land but could not find it. The berries of the tawa and the hinau had perhaps fallen by the time he arrived. Grabbing the tree he ate all of it, and so he got the name Toi Kairakau [Toi the Tree Eater].

About Aotea canoe. This canoe did not give us the name Aotearoa, No. Had the canoe given us the name of the land it would have appeared in this waiata: ‘Tainui, Te Arawa, Matatua, Kurahaupo, Tokomaru, Aotea.’ For another thing, if, as is maintained, Aotea sank at Kawhia, surely some place there would be named after it. But that ia not the case.

[1929]

My friend, Rangataua Keepa, you say that Taranaki is the haven of maoritanga. That is true - alongside other teachings that are not known about above or below. There is the teaching of Te Ua Haumene. That is dry. Then you have Te Whiti and Tohu. Now there is Ratana. At last, something different. He has five gods – the Holy Trinity, the Holy Angels and the man. Where are we!

Hakare Paraone

Ahumea, Coromandel.  19/9/29

To the Editor.

 

My friend, greetings.

With this letter I am sending a paper recalling the deaths of our young people. Perhaps there is space to print it in your paper, Toa Takitini. People know these three laments. They have been sent to us to pass on lest they be lost for ever. So we are sending them together with the memorials to our children.

The first lament written below (Paretu). It is by the mother of Rangiuia.  The last lament was written by Rangiuia. Not many people know this lament by Rangiuia.

Kia ora.

From Nopera and Tina Rangiuia

PO Box 22

Tolaga Bay

East Coast

In Memory of

Marie Marino who died at Te Ruapekapeka, Uawa (Tolaga Bay on 16^th October, 1929, aged 12,

and

Mona Hine Tinaku Marino who died at Te Ruapekapeka, Uawa (Tolaga Bay) on 20^th November, 1928, aged 23.

[1930]

THE LAMENTS OF THE PARENTS OF MATE AND MONA.

I weep, I say then that I shall release the two of them

My feelings well up in vain, his litters have gone.

So that I stand there on i te arorangi

The seed was impregnated on the lip/mouth/entrance of the wehe

Spread out on the taupiri, this is the red ua.

I speak out: ‘Hika, we stand up there.’

The answer came: ‘Cling to the rock of Whekenui,

That I might die like a man at the entrance to the pa.

But wait there until the driving paddle gets going.

.. Scattered indeed on the hiwiroa / long hill.

Who of Tukota was eaten by me

Your sin against me was great lest you haunt the one you love

Looking at a leaf turned over by the waters there

I am like a canoe impelled forward on the surface of the sea.

Let the shout ring out, without doubt it is Uwetonga.

The two you belong to Tamatanui, to Hikataurewa,

To Rongotipare, and so you have gone away.

                                                                        By Paretu

By day I wait anxiously here below

For those who have not returned.

Though the sun sets I still stand here on the shore.

While the tide slackened and recedes down the river valley

I am like one floating away on the retreating current.

I am opposite great Hauaiti.

You are opposite great Hauaiti.

There is Tutehurutea and there are you, my dear ones.

You are bailing and calling the time.

I hear you from Te Ruapekapeka

Fighting lest you come too close to the shore

And the canoe is hauled ashore

And you would be angry at me for climbing on board.

Who would believe that this is the day of death?

You bent your arms, you were not slow.

But you leave me feeling tired.

My bones are weary in this long time of scarcity.

Let me sit here, my dear ones.

Can a sneeze return to the nose?  [cf Nga Pepeha 566]

                                                                        By Rangiuia

[The above is mostly my translation. An alternative version of the waiata, with English translation and notes, can be found in Nga Moteatea, Volume I, Number 66. Rangiuia obviously made alterations to the existing waiata so that it could apply to their family bereavenents. – Barry Olsen]

[1931]

DAIRY FARMING IN TARANAKI

Much evidence has emerged and the world of work has suddenly  become aware that the tribes of Taranaki are away out in front when it comes to milking cows. We went there to wander about, and although our journey was unplanned we saw for ourselves and heard about the strength of this occupation and how the fruits of this work were being distributed among the remnant of Taranaki at large.

The young people who have grown up since the deaths of their ancestors Te Whiti and Tohu and their parents have grasped the opportunities offered by education.

Despite the prophesies they have heard and which some have seized upon, they are very grateful for what they have been able to observe and experience, and they are content to leave those prophesies in their sacred places to lie and ferment. Rather, they are willing to do what the voices of today are calling upon them to do and that is to work.

Since it has been easy to observe, we have seen clearly some of the ways in which to get money to help yourselves, and we have our Maori Minister in place even though Maui [Pomare] has stepped aside. It is right that Taranaki presses for appropriate help for young people preparing to go into farming. The New Year has dawned upon the country and we salute the strong example of Taranaki.

Be strong.  Also, support your own Maori paper as a voice, and as your pet.

Te Whiti, Tohu, Tahupotiki, their Children, their Grandchildren, the Tribe as a whole – greetings to all of you under the mana of your Parents and your Ancestors from the past!

Grasp the opportunities! Plug into what the time is saying: ‘Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.’ [Matthew 11.28]

MORIKAU FARM

We were very happy to receive the report saying that the tribal farms are doing very well. When the Minister of Maori Affairs visited Taranaki he also made a visit to Wanganui, and this was one of the matters laid before him. He also had many encouraging words to say to the young people of Wanganui about the working of that land. That block at first covered 15,776 acres and subsequently part of it was returned to the Maori. This block was divided into farms – Morikau Number 1, Ranana, and Ngarakauwhakarara.

[1932]

That block was given to the Board to farm, but the young people of Wanganui who undertook the work were unfamiliar with that work.

As a result there were many mistakes made in the management of that farm at first. Then questions were asked and the weaknesses of parts of the management were discovered. In recent years good things have begun to be achieved. The price received for wool has also increased which has been very good.

On March 31sr, 1929, the income was £32,133  6s  8d, together with the Aotea Board money of £7,189  6s.

However, the amount of £32,280  12s  8d was spent on improvements – fencing, forestry, sowing grass, supplying water, making roads, and buildings. The cost of livestock – sheep, cattle, horses and goats – was £16,196  13s. In addition machinery cost £849  9s  2d. The number of sheep on the property on 31^st March, 1929, was 10,937. They were valued at £12,824  17s  0d. The profit from the sheep was £5,364  9s  10d. If the receipts from wool are added to that the profit rises to £10,197  3s  0d. The profit from cattle on 31^st March, 1929, was £1,721  13s  3d.

So, we see clearly how the profits have grown under the new management. The hope is that the work will likewise continue to grow strongly. Four hundred more acres of forest have been felled this year. Five thousand acres have been cleared, and 6.907 acres are awaiting development.  Two thousand and fifty-nine people have an interest in this land. In recent years they have set up their Maori committee to run their side. They are very watchful and point out any things that distress them, and through their diligence many things have been cleared up which were not clear before.

THE BISHOP OF AOTEAROA

Taanga Manawa Tomoana.

Perhaps, Rangataua and the rest of you, will at last be able to negotiate a settlement about the name Aotearoa, and the Bishop will be able to sit down and rest his posterior! But how is this to be done! Keremeneta, you appeal to your Lord. Leave it with him to manage and work out, and pacify your people. It is a small thing to do if you want to sleep at night. But let us pray together that he be given – that there be poured out upon him – lasting strength, and that his vision may be clear, and that his work and his preaching to the people may be fruitful so that we may have the good fortune to come to a time when Maori will be united in taking up the paddle of the Faith. Our star is declining; what is shining out is the saying:

            Ka pu te ruha! Ka hao te rangatahi!

            The old net is laid aside; the new net goes fishing.

                                                                        [cf Nga Pepeha 1100]

We have a free hand on the marae given to stir us up.

 

[1933]                                                                                           

 

The words of their waiata apply to us:

            ‘We also are waiting here!

            What a terrible thing God has made!’ etc. etc. etc.

But if you think in this way, it is better to devote your strength and your mind to this village and this people, to focus on the running of these islands, and the meeting of the bishops.

This comes about because of the many motions of the Church of England world supporting the proposal that Aotearoa attends the Conference. This is an explanation of the things I have seen through my glasses. The Great Guides, the Captains of the New Century, are Sir Apirana Ngata for ‘Caesar’s’ side, and Bennett, known as ‘Aotearoa,’ for the spiritual side of the Maori People. He who is for ‘Caesar’ did not grimace when he was asked to be king of Samoa but he clenched his teeth wanting rather to stay among his people to busy himself with the cultivations [?paruarua] in the hope that they will grow vigorously in these remaining days of decline.

They complement each other. One is a Minister for Maori Affairs, and the other is a Minister, the Bishop of Aotearoa.

In their time Ngata is one and Bennett is another, and they shared the view that a Pakeha should not appear in the minutes, or [?tekina sic ?takina ?challenge] the outworking of that important matter. They came together satisfactorily in that cause. They congratulate each other, as do the people at large at this time. And they are both appearing on the country’s marae. This is wonderful.

So, this is the question:  When was this done? And who could have achieved it? The answer: Only the two of them.

THE TRAGEDY AT OPOUTAMA

During the first months of this year a man was killed while engaged in government works at Opoutama. He was enveloped by a rock fall in the quarry. The man whose name was Paraone had come from Hastings to work on the government project when he was struck down in this tragedy. Subsequently it took a long time for the government to provide compensation for his wife and their children. Eventually it was the perseverance of Bob Tutaki, the spokesman for the workers, who put forward the case that led to the government paying that widow and her children £1000.

Te Toa applauds this outcome. Kui and your children, hold on to your dignity in the face of this tragedy. You ‘father’ has died, but there may

[1934]

well arise from among your children a ‘New frond,’ who will be more fortunate than your husband from whom you have been separated on this sad path.

This shows the goodness of our fellow-travellers in every place no matter what tribe or hapu or Church they belong to and no matter what their family line is. Therefore, our Many Warriors, the readers of your paper, spread this attitude to our many marae, and help this one of your palisaded pa, to be a voice, a pet you carry about, for your many ideas as to ways to promote the enlightenment of the people, especially as concerns the Faith.

TYPHOID FEVER

We have heard that Typhoid Fever has taken a hold in Hastings and  throughout the country. Four people have been taken to hospital, but no-one has died. It has said that it is inoculation that has contributed to the mildness of this outbreak. The people of Hastings were urged to get inoculated. The hope was that people would quickly get themselves and their children vaccinated. Those who were aware of their vulnerability during the past three years had Dr Te Rangihiroa, the members of the Marae Councils and their nurses, come to inoculate them. However, Hastings and Te Ratana Pa had particular cause to be cautious in this matter. Therefore, it was pointed out that the Doctors, the Marae Councils, and the Nurses should be welcomed in the areas where this is the situation.

Despite what one hears about some Pakeha and Maori flouting this measure, if you have a concern for the people you will welcome this command.

‘TE MANU KAIRAKAU E PATUA I WAHI KE

TENA KO TE MANU TAUPUA E PATUA I TE KAINGA’

‘The leader of a party of tried warriors will be struck down elsewhere,

While the chief who lies in wait will be struck down at home.’

P H Tomoana

These proverbs were uttered by Pareihe shortly before he descended on Nukutaurua and the people of Heretaunga when they were being overrun by the many war parties of the country who were coming to take Heretaunga for their home. This elder spoke these fine words in a farewell speech. It is right that we should know by heart some sayings similar to these to rouse people if some of us do not have other ways of providing stimulating endings for our speeches. Under this heading one could speak of the escape routes available from the fighting pa where the tribes of Heretaunga were under attack and also

[1935]

those pa that the Heretaunga tribes were able to reach.

We are able to think peaceably of such sayings because we entered that part of the [old] year called Summer when beautiful flowers of all varieties are springing up [?whakatama-tane], our spirits are lifted by the joy of the time, summertime which skims over the world of the leaves of trees and the world of animals and the spiritual realm. One’s thoughts go back to the days when human mana was undisturbed, when one heard the sweet voice of the Great Forest of Tane and its signs of the days to come, and the elder’s thoughts were fixed on what he hoped for and his desire that there would grow amongst them watchful hearts for the nights of [?po kai], for the nights of [?po korekore], for the war parties that are coming, when the plants that have not borne fruit will be thrown away and the seed plants for the bad times to come are placed in the store-house.

These days are times when there is less work for them and those in their pa to do, when the remnants from each canoe can reflect on these remarkabe sayings about ‘the chief who stays at home’ and the chief who leads out his warriors.’ So let us seek to understand these words of explanation, beginning with the various pa.

Te Roto-a-Tara:

This was the pa of Rangitane and Tara when the two of them took over Heretaunga here. They were the grandchildren of Whatonga and Tangowhiti. This pa is close to Te Aute College. It is on an island in the middle of Lake Rotoatara. When the first pupils of that school visited that island they found peaches and grapes growing. They also found human skulls in the water at the mooring places. It is said that when that pa was besieged by the war parties, calabashes were submerged under the water so that human excrement would not get in. In that way they would get pure water in the calabash.

This pa adjoins the land given by Ngai Te Whatuiapiti, that is, by Te Hapuku, to Mr Samuel Williams for a school, Te Aute College.

As a result of contentions and quarrels over chiefly authority in Turanga, Taraia and Te Aomatarahi moved here to Heretaunga and one of the pa in which they lived was Te Rotoatara.

Otatara:

Rangitane and Tara were living in this pa when they heard that the father of Taraia and Te Aomatarahi was coming. Rangitane warned Tara, ‘These people who are coming are warriors.’ Tara replied with this saying:

            ‘Tutu te kahawai o Kopututea, ka whanatu Tara nei ka pao.’

            ? ‘When Kopututea’s kahawai fish stands here, then Tara will

            go away, singing a song of derision [pao -  sing or strike].’

This was a large pa. One can still see the excavations for the breastworks and the great area covered by that pa, an area of perhaps three acres.

[1936]

However it was captured by the father of Taraia and Te Aomatarahi. All the inland pa were taken and Rangitane fled to the Manawatu area, to Akitio.

Te Aomatarahi travelled south along the coast until he encountered Tara. One side attacked and then the other! Eventually Tara’s force was defeated and the authority over Heretaunga passed to Taraia and Te Aomatarahi, until the time of Te Whatuiapiti, descendants of Kahungunu, who were crowded together in Turanga.

Wheao and Te Rotoatara:

These two pa were occupied during the days of Te Whatuiapiti. Wheao Lake close to Te Hauke was the home of Te Hapuku, and it is where Hori Tupaea and Makuaiterangi live and the tribe of Te Hapuku. Te Whatuiapiti was a fine-looking and brave man. But when his wife, Te Kuramahinohino, was abducted fighting flared-up with Kahungnunu at Te Wairoa and he migrated to the Wairarapa. When he arrived there fighting went on between Rangitane and Kahungunu. Wharemauku was attacked, Waingawa was stormed, and there was a battle.

During the fighting at Wharemauku the bravery of Te Whatuiapiti was seen. Hikawera said, ‘Men, don’t let the fire burning there become ashes. Fetch it and we’ll extinguish it. Return our child [“at the ford at Hianga-nui yonder, there was this god rampant, rampant on high, beside the earth-oven wherein Tunui of Takaha was roasted.”]’ [The latter part of this sentence is the end of a Lullaby, Number 231 in Nga Moteatea, Part III, Page 134ff. The translation is by A T Ngata. He says that The Earth-oven of Takaha is a place above Te Pakipaki, Hawkes Bay.] Hianganui is a ford above Te Whakatu, close to Te Kohupatiki and above Tanenuiarangi.

When Te Whatuiapiti returned it was to Akitio following the descendants of Rangitane. Then he went searching and arrived at Marotiri to destroy the fighters there, some of whom were in Marotiri Pa.

Marotiri:

This pa is close to Porangahau and Otautane, a pa of Irakumia, a descendant of Rangitane.

He meet up with the party he was seeking beside the pa, whereupon he ran at the party forcing them into a small area with his knobbed spear. First, he drove through them from one end to the other. Secondly, he went to the side and again drove through them from one end to the other. The elders were amazed at Te Whatuiapiti’s bravery. Rangitane was defeated and fled into the pa. Irakumia called out, ‘Sirs, look at our nephew. He is coming to get me.’ Then Te Whatuiapiti asked, ‘Who is that? What distinguishes him?’ He called out, ‘I am a red-head. And my tooth sticks out.’

[1937]

He saw that his head would be cut off. His attacker came out calling, ‘There he is. Go and get him.’ Irakumia called down, ‘Come and fetch me.’ The other man said, ‘I shan’t come lest you kill me.’ The other said, ‘I won’t kill you.’ So Te Whatuiapiti came and handed over the head of Tupito. Then Irakumia offered his nose to Te Whatuiapiti and peace was made. So this proverb has been handed down to this day:

            ‘Te ihu tuku mai i te po.’

            The nose proffered in the night.

Te Whatuiapiti returned and arrived at Pukekaihau.

Pukekaihau:

Here he came across the Heretaunga chiefs, Tupokonui and Tupaka, marking out the boundaries of their village. They were surprised by Te Whatuiapiti and fled, crossing the Tukituki River below Te Waipukurau. They called out to Te Whatuiapiti, ‘We are no longer at peace with you.’  Te Whatuiapiti clutched his hand at them, calling out, ‘Give yourselves up. It is the heart of the toetoe mata [Carex diandra] of Hine-te-moa that is coming.’

It did not take long to cross over and capture and kill them. The crossing-place was called Tupokonui and Tupaka. He stayed in this pa and Moana-i-rokia close to Hatuma. He went from there to Ruahine.

Pohatunui-a-Toru:

He built this pa at Ruahine between Tukituki and Makaretu. While he was there Te Rangitaumaha got news of it and he instructed a messenger to go and make peace. He did not go.

However, he selected forty women and told his uncle, Te Aukamiti [Te Aokamite in Buchanan, The Maori History of Hawkes Bay.], to accompany them. As they were travelling, Te Aukamiti struck his foot against a stone. The group saw this as a warning of disaster and said that they should return home. Te Aukamiti called out, ‘I’m not going back because I’ve stubbed my toe! It is not as if I had broken my skull.’ His skull was indeed smashed at Matakakahi.

Te Matakakahi:

This pa is close to Omahu, the other side of Tutukiopaki, the old home of Irene Donnelly.

The party was treacherously dealt with at that pa. Tamahikawai remembered Te Aukamiti and realised that he had a desire to get revenge. Te Aukamiti called out, ‘Are you Tamahikawai?’ He replied, ‘Yes, that’s me.’ Then he invited him into the house. ‘When you see Te Whatuiapiti, tell him not to continue in this fashion, let us rather be united. “A sheaf untied at mid-day.” May he hear this with pleasure.

He meant that there should be no treachery in revenge for their

[1938]

deaths, rather they should quarrel in broad daylight, in the sunshine. (Text missing.)

News of the massacre reached Te Whatuiapiti and he wept for his elders and his sisters before heading for the coast at Kairakau. The pa there was Manawarakau. He slept there beside his wounded uncle. In the morning the Ngati Kahungunu party attacked. They were pursued by the great warrior, Tamahikawai. They crossed the river and came out of the bush where Te Whatuiapiti fell. Tamahikawai called, ‘Hello, you who have fallen there. Te Whatuiapiti responded, ‘Wait, and you’ll see the country taken, and the people who grew up there.’ Tamahikawai looked at him but did not seize him. He then called out, ‘Sir, come out and stand up. I have a message from your uncle, Te Aukamiti. When you see Te Whatuiapiti tell him not to continue in this fashion, let us rather be united. “A sheaf untied at mid-day.” May he hear this with pleasure.’ Te Whatuiapiti clenched his fist.

Subsequently he sent his uncle, Hikawera, to fetch the descendants of Rangitane from Tamaki [Dannevirke], Ngati Mutuahi and Ngati Pakapaka. Hikawera then said, ‘Presently I will be killed.’ Te Whatuiapiti said, ‘You will not be killed. Here is my nose which was given to Irakumia.’

That elder left. He thought he would be killed, but, having shared the hongi, he was spared. Those hapu set out and moved on to Roro-o-pipi. Aroaro-tahuri was a battle fought at Te Whanganui-o-Rotu, the lagoon at Napier. Soon after that, Te Whatuiapiti and his tribe attacked Te Rangitaumaha’s pa. Then Te Whatuiapiti took a rest [okooko sic - ? okioki pause] from using his spear.  Te Huhuti. The daughter of Te Rangitaumaha went and stood before those war parties and made peace. Kau-inanga at Te Wairoa agreed a peace settlement in that area. With that peace the massacre was avenged. The final utterance of Te Aukamiti was fulfilled. Te Whatuiapiti returned and settled permanently at Rotoatara and Wheao.

Te Huhuti wanted to follow Te Whatuiapiti. Her father, Te Rangitaumaha, would not agree. Te Huhuti ran away. She swam across Te Rotoatara and wanted to sleep with Te Whatuiapiti. But his mother did not approve, given the betrayal of the war party and the deaths of her brother and Te Aukamiti. So when Te Huhuti arrived in the house the old lady was angry and called out, ‘You’re living with a skinned eel! You are consorting with a carved image!’ [See Buchanan – op.cit.]

When [Te Huhuti’s] younger sisters were born they were named Hinehore [Skinned eel girl] and Hineteko [Carved image girl].

However, following the agreement there was lasting peace. The many chiefs of Heretaunga and the surrounding country as far as Turanga were gratified that they each had a lofty mountain [a strong fortress]. Tuhoe and many other branches could sing at this time. Kia ora to us all.

[1939]

Te Whatuiapiti’s standing increased in Heretaunga. It was said that Ngai Te Whatuiapiti was on one side of Keteketerau and Ngati Kahungunu on the other. This was how they referred to each other, but when they travelled outside their territory they were known collectively as Ngati Kahungunu, from the Wairarapa, to Heretaunga, to Te Wairoa, as far as Te Mahia.

Te Horehore:

This pa is close to Te Takapau. It was an awesome pa. Tangi-te-Ruru from Waikato tried to take this pa but, even though his weapons were guns, he could not do so. The people in the pa were Hawea Toataua, Ngaokoiterangi, Ngarangikahiwera, and Te Kikirioterangi.

Te Puketapu:

There are many aspects of this war, but what I personally relate to is the two women, one of whom was the mother of Taipua and Te Otene. News [of their capture] reached Te Rotohenga and he arranged for them to escape secretly and return to their people. Te Rotohenga, also known as Winipere, married Tini and they had Karaitiana Takamoana and Te Meihana Takihi. Afterwards he married Te Hira Whawhaopo and they had Henare Tomoana and Te Uamairangi.

This pa is close to Moteo and it has been attacked by Ngati Raukawa, Ngati Whiti, Rangitane and Ngai Te Upokoiri. The [?pae - ?leader] of the attacking tribes, Te Whatahui, fell in this battle. Of this battle, Te Kaioara a Hinemotuhia said:

At night I lie on my bed,

My girl, what meaning is there is my life now?

The liquid blood flows down

And lies hidden below.

Your brains will be eaten by Te Kauru,

The man who struck down your father.

You were left an orphan.

There are your lice feeding, Te Hauwaho.

My food is there at Ahuriri; it is Ngati Matepu,

Kahungunu’s party, and Ngati Kurukuru.

Let me eat and grow fat, let me gorge myself and vomit

At the roaring waters of Muheke where my friends are.

Don’t be defeated at the Tutaekuri River.

I have abiding love for the father you have left, beloved.

Having completed your life here you have disappeared

Like a flower to Te Reinga, to your father, and that is the end.

Motukumara:

This pa to the north of Omahu fell to Ngati Porou.

[1940]

The parents of Hohaia Te Hoata and Huare were carried off. As a result these families are of two tribes.

Tanenui-a-Rangi:

Meke was the [?pae - ?leader] of Ngati Porou involved in this expedition.

This pa stood in the undulating country beside the Ngaruroro River close to Te Kohupatiki. Peace was made with Ngati Porou by Ngarangikaunuhia, a grandson of Te Whatuiapiti. This is his genealogy:

            Kuramahinono     =   Te Whatuiapiti   =     Te Huhuti

                        |                                                                      |

            Te Rangiwawahia                                           Te Wawahanga

                        |                                                                      |

            Te Rangihirawea                                            Rangikawhiua

                        |                                                                      |

            Poho-o-te-Rangi                                             Te Manawakawa

                        |                                                                      |

            Hikitangaterangi                  =                       Tahatuoterangi

                                                            |

                                                Ngarangikaunuhia

                                                            |

                                                     Taanga

                                                            |

            Tini        Rotohenga  =   Te Hira

            ____|______         |_______________

            |                          |         |                                       |

Karaitiana        Meihana    Tomoana           Te Uamairangi

But we are supposed to be dealing with only one subject here and that is Pareihe. When he travelled to Nukutaurua, Pareihe stood brandishing his weapon. He wore a short piupiu. His taiaha, painted with red ochre, was in his hand. He was said to have been a fine-looking man, and dangerous with a weapon in his hand. When he finished brandishing his weapon he turned to the people and spoke these departing words. He said:

‘I offered my body as food for Ngapuhi, however, I returned alive. Now, all Heretaunga and all Wairarapa, get up and let us go. Leave behind our arguing over the possibility of dying a natural death. See my fire burning there at Te Whitiutu (?Roa rawa - Very long). Leave our home to be a marae to be fought over [?marae riri]. Let us go elsewhere where we will see the smoke rising on the land wind. But let it not be reduced to ashes, we will go and extinguish it. (Roa rawa). If we adopt this programme then Heretaunga will be our land. If you do not listen to me, Heretaunga here will be taken by someone else; the people will be lost, the land will be lost! Your ancestor said, ‘The chief who lies in wait will be struck down at home; the leader of a party of warriors will be struck down in a different place.’

[1941]

Tears poured down the faces of the people. Afterwards they sighed and agreed to go and accepted the plan. So Heretaunga was left as a marae to be fought over. and they migrated to Nukutaurua.

Okurarenga (Nukutaurua):

While those in front had stopped, those behind were still moving. The news came that Te Pakake [at Ahuriri] had fallen and Te Hauwaho and many of the Heretaunga chiefs had been killed. The descendants of Te Whatuiapiti were being laid waste by the war parties of Ngati Tuwharetoa, Ngati Raukawa, Ngatiawa, Waikato, and other tribes from the West. The [?pae - ?leaders] of Waikato were Ngati Tuwharetoa, Ngati Raukawa, Ngati Whiti, Ngati Tama and Ngai Te Upokoiri.

Te Pakake fell, and the news was that Pareihe had gone to Nukutaurua. The war parties went steadily towards Nukutaurua to catch Pareihe. Te Heuheu was the [?pae -  ?leader] of the tribes.

There was a great and prolonged battle. One side had the advantage and then the other. It went backwards and forwards. No-one slept, day or night. One side would press the other, then they themselves would be hard-pressed. The fighting moved to and fro. Presently, the defenders ran out of food, they tightened the belts around their waists, and were reduced to eating clay.

But despite the lack of food the pa did not fall, rather the war parties surrounding the pa helped the suffering pa.

That is, Te Heuheu saw what was happening. It was obvious to him that the pa could not be taken and he withdrew Ngati Tuwharetoa. When he withdrew, all the others who had been attacking the pa withdrew. The pa survived and was named ‘Kaiuku,’ [‘Clay eaters]. It was said that this withdrawal was Te Heuheu’s gift to Pareihe.

Whakawhitira (Waiapu):

Pareihe was still at Nukutaurua when Kakatarau came from Ngati Porou, who were disheartened, to ask for help to overcome the tribes coming from the north.

These were the words of Pareihe: ‘Sir, I have not had a night’s sleep; has that been the case with you? Have you not seen that the fires are still burning, and the people are still scattered on the [?tuara – back ?ridges]? Have you not seen that this is a very different village, a very different brow of a hill?’ Kakatarau said nothing, but glanced around him. After a time Pareihe recalled the great favour Ngati Porou had done for them in the peace agreement concluded by Meke and Ngarangikaunuhia at Tanenuiarangi which saved people’s lives, and he agreed to help. Where was this? It was in Waiapu where Tamanuitera and the many chiefs of Ngati Porou were gathered. An agreement was reached and they set out. Kekeparaoa was on one side and Tokaakuku on the other at Whangaparaoa-hauauru where Te Whanau-a-Apanui were defeated. He returned to Nukutaurua where the idea grew within him of reconnoitring Taupo and Waikato.

[1942]

 

This haka is perhaps by Tokaakuku and Kekeparaoa.

We heard from afar the fame of Pareihe.

The Eel Eater was coming.

My heart was afraid.

I was aware of the smell of people.

I was discovered within. I was discovered within.

Who has landed from far away

To destroy people,

To destroy people?

And where do the offspring flee to. pursued by Hongi?

They are brought here by Marama, and they move on.

They are brought here by Marama, and they move on.

He strikes them.  Hei! Hei! Hei! Ha!

He obtained powder and guns, some [?utu] of flax fibre, and other provisions. He had the idea of returning home. Increasingly he was contemplating travelling from Heretaunga to encounter the tribes that were to attack Heretaunga.

Omakukuru (Taupo):

He had not long returned home when Pareihe and his people set out for Taupo.  On the way they were discovered by some men of Tuwharetoa who had been sent out by Te Heuheu. When they arrived at the camp this group did a war dance. The wielding of the weapons and the manly stance of the warriors made them fearful.

Ngati Kahungunu’s Haka at Taupo

 

Moho?

O!

Moho?

O!

This is the morepork hooting

In the pittosporum tree!

Give me the prisoner to be bound

With the bonds of grasping Matuku,

To wither away to the place of departed spirits [te reinga].

E! To the tree [?weapon] of Haua!

E! To charge! A returning large black eel!

It belongs to Pawa, to the pigeon gliding over

The bowed neck!

A! A! A!

The earth shook. It is said that there was never a war party that came against Heretaunga that could compare with these hands and feet.

[1943]

The people who came were startled. (What were their names?)  Those two returned to Te Heuheu and said to him, ‘E! These people are invincible!’

When they arrived at the pa Te Heuheu went to Pareihe. He said to him, ‘Sir! I salute you, and I wonder at you. You have my word. I was aware of your coming. Now go. Return from here. This is Waikato. I am the seed kumara of Waikato; if you defeat me, you have defeated Waikato, for I alone am Waikato.’

Pareihe remembered Te Heuheu’s gracious retreat at Okurarenga and returned home.

Te Rotoatara Again.

Ngati Raukawa, Ngati Whiti, Ngati Tama, Ngai Te Upokoiri, and Rangitane were still occupying Te Rotoatara when Pareihe returned from Nukutaurua. There were two ways of getting there. One was by canoe along the Tukituki River, the other was by way of Te Ngaue above Pakowhai. This party met Paorikiriki of Ngai Te Upokoiri, struck him down and killed him. At Te Rotoakiwa they encountered those war parties who fled to Kahotea and Te Rotoatara. In the morning they stormed the pa in canoes and it was overthrown. Tanguru of Tuwharetoa died when a canoe overturned. He had fetched an eel fork, a mārau, [which caught in his clothes and unbalanced him – see Williams p.181]. Hence Ngati Mārau.

Kahotea:

This pa is inland close to Te Rotoatara, to the south-east. Outside that pa is the place where Te Momo died, in Waiata 41-42 in Nga Moteatea Part I. Karangi’s recriminatory song was directed at Te Wera [Pareihe’s Ngapuhi ally] and Pareihe. [In Moteatea the song is composed by Ahumai, the daughter of Karangi.]

I have been told that Te Momo was seen running with the boy (who was that?) on his back across the countryside, when it was decided that he should be killed. Karaitiana Te Kahuirangi, father of ‘Mutu’ (the old boys of Te Aute College will remember him), intervened to stop that happening. He said to leave it until morning when there could be fair play. He challenged Te Momo to a hand-to hand duel. Kahuirangi left behind his gun. They struggled together for a long time. And when most people realised that Kahuiarangi was being defeated, one man acted at random and hurriedly. This was how Te Momo died, a brave man, who did not die a natural death.

It was during these times that the Faith began to make inroads into  Nukutaurua and Heretaunga, and the tribes attacking Heretaunga began to withdraw. Pareihe returned to Nukutaurua and settled at Te Awapuni. He occupied himself at that time with learning and embracing the faith.

The story ends at Te Awapuni with him asking that their relatives be fetched and that Ngai Te Upokoiri  return. He also gave his final message to the people of the Wairarapa and Heretaunga: ‘Welcome! Return to your various fire-places. Put behind you these aspects of my life. Turn to the faith to find life. Go to what is yours whether it be short or long.

[1944]

This is your day, not mine. Heretaunga is your home. Your strong shoulders will bring you back. This saying is true: ‘The chief who lies in wait will be struck down at home; the leader of a party of warriors will be struck down in a different place.’ But the gift lying there will bring you safely back. Go, return in peace. Hold to the faith. Fetch your younger and older cousins living in the Manawatu so that you can be together. Te Rotohenga is in charge. Pareihe intends to live permanently at Te Awapuni. Koro, live as a father to the remnant of Heretaunga. These are the words of Pareihe. Be content with this. Permit me to return. The church has been built; permit me to return to build up the people.’

He died at Te Awapuni and it was said that he should be buried beside the church. However he was secretly carried to one of the  burial caves at Te Matau-a-Maui [Maui’s Fishhook – Cape Kidnappers]. It was on his second return from Nukutaurua that this church was built.

THE LOVE OF RANGINUI AND PAPATUANUKU

These are the days and night when food is plentiful or scarce during Kaiatea, that is, January when the star Kaiwaka appears.

This advice is about times when rain or no rain can be expected.

1-8 Between Tirea [the moon on the second day] and Tamatea-whakapau [the moon on the ninth night] there will be cold and rain.

8-15 Between Tamatea-whakapau [see above] and Rakaunui [the moon on the seventeenth or eighteenth day] the weather is changeable.

15-23 Between Rakaunui [see above] and Tangaroa-a-mua [the moon on the twenty-third night] the weather will not be very good.

23-31 From Tangaroa-a-mua [see above] to Te Whiro [the moon on the first day] there will be wind and rain.

Taharakau gave us the proverb:

            ‘E roa raro! E tata runga!’

            Below is far, above is near.  [cf Nga Pepeha 244]

There will be no ‘Toa’ in January, therefore we give you the forecast for the ninth month [Ruuhi-te-rangi] in this edition.

We give you the days and the nights when one may gather or not gather food  during Ruuhi-te-rangi [see above], i.e. February, when the star Uruao appears.

These predictions are for the days of rain and no rain.

7-13  Between Tamatea-whakapau [se above] and Rakaunui [see above] there will be rain and wind.

13-20 Between Rakaunui [see above] and Tangaroa-a-mua [see above] there will be good NNW winds and bad SSE winds.

20-28 From Tangaroa-a-mua [see above] to Mutuwhenua [the moon on the twenty-ninth or thirtieth day] Tawhirimatea will send good and bad winds.

The predictions for Hakihea [the seventh lunar month], i.e. December, the month of the star Rehua [Antares, the summer star].

16-23  Between Rakaunui [see above] and Tangaroa [the moon from the twenty-third to the twenty-sixth nights] there will be fine weather.

23-31 Between Tangaroa [see above] and Te Whiro [see above] there will be rain. Be careful during the holidays lest you get wet.    

DAYS IN JANUARY [From Williams’ Dictionary]

1  Tirea  [moon on 2^nd day]           12 Hotu  [15^th]                   23 Tangaroa-a-mua [23^rd]

2  Hoata [3^rd day]                            13 Atua [15^th]                     24 Tangaroa-a-roto [24^th]

3 Ouenuku [4^th]                               14 Turu [16^th – full]         25 Tangaroa-kiokio [25^th]

4 Okoro [5^th]                                    15 Rakaunui [17^th]           26 Otane [27^th]

5 Tamatea-kani [6^th]                      16 Rakau-matohi [18^th]  27 Orongonui [28^th]

6 Tamatea-kai-ariki [7^th]              17 Takirau [19^th]               28 Mauri [29^th]

7 Tamatea-aio [8^th]                        18 Oike [20^th]                    29 Omutu [30^th]

8 Tamatea-whakapa [9^th]             19 Korekore-whiwhia [21^st]  30 Mutuwhenua [30^th]

9 Maure [12^th]                                  20 Korekore-rawea [22^nd]   31 Tirea [2^nd]

10 Mawharu [12^th/13^th]                  21 Korekore-hahani [23^rd]

11 Ohua [14^th]                                   22 Korepiri-ki-Tangaroa [23^rd]

 

[The days in February begin on 1^st with Tirea and continue through to 28^th which is Whiro [the moon on the 1^st day].

 

[1945]

LOOKING BACK OVER THE MAORI MEMBERS.  1867 – 1929

In 1849 the Treaty of Waitangi was signed, but it was not until 10^th October, 1867, that the law was passed enabling Maori to sit in the Supreme New Zealand Council. From that year until today there have been sixty-two years of sittings of the New Zealand Parliament. Our investigations have shown that the following Maori leaders entered the Parliament as spokesmen for the Maori People.

Waipounamu

            1868-70         Hoani Patihana

            1871-78          Hori Kerei Taiaroa

            1879-81          Ihaia Tainui

            1881-84          Hori Kerei Taiaroa

            1885-1911      Tame Parata

            1912-17           Taare Parata

            1918-21          Hopere Uru   (John Hopere Wharewiti)

            1921-28          Hape Uru

            1928-              Tuiti Makitanara

 

[1946]

 

Taihauauru

 

            1868-70         Mete Kingi Paetahi

            1871-               Wiremu (Te Kakakura) Parata

            1876-79          Hoani Nahe

            1879-84          Wiremu Te Wheoro

            1884-87         Puke Te Ao  (Died)

            1887-93          Hoani Taipua

            1894-96          Ropata Te Ao

            1897-1911       Henare Kaihau

            1912-29          Sir Maui Pomare

 

Taitokerau

 

            1868-70         Pererika Nene Rahera

            1871-75          Wiremu Katene

            1876-79          Hori Karaka Tawhiti

1879-84          Hone Mohi Tawhai

1884-86         Ihaka Hakuene

1887-              Wiremu Katene

1887-91          Hirini Taiwhanga (Died)

1891-93          Eparaima Mutu Kapa

1891-1908      Hone Heke  (Died)

1909-21          Doctor Te Rangihiroa

1921-29          Tau Henare

 

Tairawhiti

 

            1868-70         Tareha Te Moananui

            1871-78          Karaitiana Takamoana

            1879-84          Henare Tomoana

            1884-87         Wi Pere

            1878-93          Timi Kara (Sir James Carroll)

            1894-1905     Wi Pere

            1905-29          Hon Sir A T Ngata

 

Members of the Upper House

 

            1872-87          Hon Hone Mokene

            1872-87          (Died)  Hon Wiremu Tako Ngatata (Hauauru)

            1879-80         (?Koriwhai) Hori Kerei Taiaroa

            1887-97          (Died)  Hon Rapata Wahawaha  (Tairawhiti)

            1898-1904     (Died) Hon Henare Tomoana  (Tairawhiti)

            1903-10          (Resigned) Hon Wherowhero Mahuta Potatau

            1912                (Died) Hon Tame Parata  (Waipounamu)

            1913                (Resigned) Hon Wiremu Kerei Nikora (Hauauru            1913-29          Hon Tikehana (Taitokerau)

 

From the time a Maori entered to the present day there have been many questions about whether it was good or bad to have Maori in the Colony’s Parliament. Many regulations and laws passed by the Parliament  have been onerous for the Maori People and Parliamentary provisions have been seen to have been good for some people in their effects and bad for other groups.

[1947]

But the remarkable thing when one looks into it is how the areas have elected their members in that they have strongly chosen young people as their guides and spokesmen in each area.

Look at Te Waipounamu. Beginning with Tare Parata they have continued to choose an educated young person to be their voice in the house. There have been Hopere and Hape Uru down to Tuiti  Maketanara.

Maui Pomare has held the Taihauauru seat.

In the Tai Tokerau, Hone Heke began the chain of young men down to Te Rangihiroa and Tau Henare.

On the Tai Rawhiti  has held the seat from 1905 to the present day. Those who have contested the seat were Wi Pere, Mohi Te Atahikoia, and Ihaia Hutana, the elders and the young people in those days.

Sir A T Ngata has served for twenty-four years as member for the Tai Rawhiti and he has been promoted to the highest office relating to Maori, that of Minister of Maori Affairs. No other Maori member has held this office. That one of us has been chosen for this important office bodes well for the Maori People in the future. Although they are few, the generation of young people are coming to the fore.

Sir James Carroll has held the seat for the Pakeha electorate of Gisborne and has even been Acting Prime Minister.

Sir Maui Pomare has served in the office of spokesperson for the Maori People and Minister for the Cook Islands. But Maui was also appointed as Minister of Health for the whole country, and in the Coates Government he was appointed [?Ianga – sic]. Dr Te Rangihiroa also held the post of spokesman for the Maori People during his short time in the house.

But having a spokesman for the people started with Mahuta when he entered the house.

Tareha said, ‘The night is for sleeping. The sun wakes us up.’

Karaitiana said, ‘That’s no good! English makes it easy!’

During the time of Henare Tomoana the Hall Government was elected and he was given part of the duties of the Maori Minister. He asked to be given separate authority over Maori lands (at that time seven million acres) but the Government did not permit this. Then he wondered what was the good of having this office but no authority. He urged his Prime Minister to give him that authority but it was not forthcoming, and then the Government was overthrown. Having been advised by the opposing side

[1948]

that they would consider his proposal if they became the Government, he went over to the opposition and Hall’s Government was defeated. But that Government only lasted perhaps two weeks before it fell. So the important news about that Government was its short duration as a result of the actions of that elder, the good things and the bad, his determination to deal with issues around the people’s lands that had been wrongly taken over by the Pakeha and the Government officials in former times. But he saw the awkwardness of his situation in that house so he composed this song:

Now I am sitting in Parliament,

Warming myself on entering the Queen’s Houses.

The Houses in which were made

The wicked laws for the Maori People.

The people [there] live in [?totohu - ?drowning] ‘fairyland.’

They wander aimlessly in [?kekewha – ?silent] ‘fairyland.’

They are the canoes that bring disasters for the Maori People.

Taiaroa is the head of the members.

He it is who brings forward motions for the whole country.

He is loved by the people of the country.

Te Mohi Tawhai was elected

Member for Ngapuhi and seeks their well-being.

The vote on the bill is brought forward.

It would compensate for the suffering of the Maori People.

My companions and I stand to speak.

We all think the same.

But money talks and we are defeated.

There you are sending gazettes

To the head of the land courts.

There sit those opposing claims to land.

That is the power that extinguishes

The great mana of the Maori People.

And so, people, your members are helpless.

I am deaf and dumb and my eyes are blinded.

We stand cramped in the house.

We stand naked on the field of battle.

Our tongues chatter within.

Grey has proved not to be a friend

To the Maori People who are seeking to survive.

He it was who troubled Te Atiawa.

He it was who carried Te Whiti from Taranaki.

And he it was who devised the rates bill.

He is the steward, the representative of the Queen!

 

[1949]

 

Wi Pere said, ‘Grow corn on the land.’

James Carroll, when the Pakeha were in a hurry to permit the buying of Maori lands and to have Maori and Pakeha under the same laws, said, ‘Wait a bit!’

A T Ngata said, ‘Work hard on incorporating land and on consolidating people’s interests in the land.’

These are the powerful messages resonated in the country’s four electorates, and particularly strongly on the Tai Rawhiti.

For twenty-four years this has been the message to the Tai Rawhiti. During these years Ngata has been made Minister of Maori Affairs and he has become the elder, not just for us, but for the whole country and he is giving us the same message. Now he has been made a Government Minister in a rather shaky Government. So it is right that the whole people devotes itself to appealing for everything – money, decisions, thought for our physical well-being, and actions to settle the land or put us in possession of the land.

‘Don’t go back for a stubbed toe; it is not as if you had a cracked skull.’ Now some of our members and our associates are waiting to be allocat6ed jobs. Maui, Tau Henare, Tuiti Makitanara and Te Raumoa and his children who are part of the Wellington Group, are eager to help the people.

Those who are strangers may ask, ‘What is this Wellington [Whanganui-a-Tara] Group?’ You should know that is is a group of young people who live in Wellington with Witako as their elder. They are your local people [tangata whenua] when it comes to all you want when you come from the four winds bewildered to Wellington with all your ideas. That group will become your own local people when it comes to the important things you want.

In Te Waipounamu there is the Murihiku Group. In Whanganui there is the Te Aute College Old Boys’ Association. In Gisborne there is the Y[oung] M[aori] P[arty]. In Te Wairoa there is the Te Kahungunu Welfare League. In Hastings there is the Heretaunga Group. The Matatua Group has also been set up.

These groups have been established with the idea that the young people have gifts which will benefit the people.

We observe that across the board much progress is being made in every way, although [these groups] have been set up independently in each place. It is right that hopes are fulfilled and that many warriors are involved in each way, in each project, in each village, on each marae,

[1950]

and wherever people gather. We can look at the progress of the faith. At last we see most of the top posts being filled in all parts of the Church’s work, whatever the denomination. People are thinking more and turning their hearts to spiritual things. There are Bishops in the Church of England, the Catholic Church, the Seventh Day Adventsts, and the Wesleyans; the Mormon Church has a President; the Ratana Church has its Spokesman [Mangai]; the Ringatu Church has a Bishop; and other Maori Churches have sprung up amongst the people. All these are signs of the people’s progress.

There are also clear indications that the time is coming when we shall all be united. But at present it appears that one Church hopes that the others will all join that Church.

The captains of these spiritual canoes are agreed that it will be right for them to come together if they can agree on the basis of the clear words of Scripture, but here we see grounds for contention, and bother, and dreams, and disputes over the clarity of the way to achieve what is right.

Our captains are mature when it comes to these and other issues relating to the people as a whole or to individuals. Therefore, it is good to meet on a marae that can act as a go-between. Therefore, you, my ‘Many Warriors,’ make every effort to set out your insights with regard to the way in which we, the people at large, can wield our paddles together so that we don’t find the seas of Tangaroa casting ashore the Canoe of the Faith while the sun shines.

The elders who have gathered in the afterlife, hoped for, longed for, the fruit we have not seen despite the Scriptures, or the Treaty of Waitangi, or the Self-determination [Mana Motuhake] they desired: the genuine accommodating Self-determination has not been realised. Perhaps the bird in the hand has been lost and we long for the one that is sleeping in the bush?

The children and grandchildren are in charge today. Work the remaining land! Redeem the time! Climb up from below with a humble heart! Be glad when you ascend above the horizon.

This is the accommodating Self-determination supported by some of your parents and ancestors. One part of their effort was to achieve Absolute Self-determination. They had these two demands arising from their Maori version of the Treaty of Waitangi. They devoted their days and years to the struggle for this. They went as a people to each hui wasting time, food, money and land.

In these days you know who your captains are.

[1951]

We gather on a neutral marae where we deal with issues that will make for a better tomorrow.

You have gone ahead, you have launched out on a very clear path. Be strong, be clear, take off the coverings of the eyes that obscure the concerns of the body and the mind. Write down the things that you see are wrong, but devote your efforts to blessing, to working the land, and also to exercising your muscles and your brains so that you will live a long life to tell the good news of the Almighty and of Farming, and you will see beautiful fruit.

Perhaps by the voice of the time, or by encountering ideas and visions, or perhaps by working in the above way, you will bring gifts to the people. It is these footprints, these flowers, these encouraging indications of the progress of the people, that show that we are responding to the voice that calls an teaches us in these days: ‘Rise up, people! Grasp the opportunities! Be strong!’

It is sixty-two years since Maori entered the New Zealand Parliament, and I trust you will reflect on this and choose the ways which will bring blessings, which will not waste our treasures, which will incorporate the useful learning of the Pakeha along with chiefly thinking, the right figures, and the beautiful letters written from the Christian viewpoint.

It is clear that we must seek out what has been done wrong and what has gone wrong in the past so that we will get closer to finding the medicine which will cure what is wrong in Parliament in the coming days.

            ‘Ka put e ruha! E hau te rangatahi!’

            The old net is cast aside! The new net goes fishing.’

                                                            [cf Nga Pepeha 1100]

THE MASTERS’ QUESTIONS

1.      What is the attitude of the Pakeha to the Maori of your village?

Thoughtful Pakeha express surprise and they help?

2.     Are Maori, men and women, who work for Pakeha reliable and is their work satisfactory?

For shearing and for summer work such as harvesting, yes, they are very reliable.

3.     What do the Maori in your village think of the activities of the tohunga?

In this New Century, we do not agree to them working with those who are ill. As to some of their other activities,

we just wonder.

[1952]

4.     Are uneducated Maori maltreated by (a) Educated Maori? (b) Pakeha?

No. But there are a few black sheep in the flock. The leaders of the people are making every effort to outlaw such practices, and to ensure that people are well brought up and listen to words of guidance.

5.     What is the attitude of the Maori of your village to agriculture – farming, dairy farming etc.?

Everyone is eager to be engaged in such work.

6.     How many Churches are there in your village?

Perhaps five! Church of England, Catholic, Ringatu, Mormon, Wesleyan, Ratana.

7.     Which Church is disrespected by Maori?

None. [Ana ano rauti sic] the purpose of the question? Formerly the Ratana used to call all Churches other than their own ‘black sheep.’ But that attitude is not expressed much now.

8.     What do Maori in your village most want their children to be taught?

They want them to get some of the ‘grit’ of the Pakeha. The Pakeha are stout-hearted and informed when they get involved with the ups and downs of farming.

9.     Are Maori children keen to learn school-work.

Yes. But it depends on how those things are presented.

10.  It is said that today’s Maori schools are teaching Maori children to be like bad Pakeha despite there being good Maori. What are your thoughts about this?

This is the first time I’ve heard this said. I think it is wrong because it in no way appears in the instructions given to those who have qualified as teachers that they should be so. It is perhaps people’s imagination.

11.   Do you think it would be a good idea to appoint a Maori to the department that runs the Maori schools?

Yes, it would be very good provided the Maori who took the post was well-qualified, knowledgeable, and obliging.

12.  Why do you think that?

Because the  Maori heart is quick to understand the words or the actions of Maori and their desires, an the reason why they have such desires.  The Pakeha doesn’t have a Maori heart.

[1953]

13.   Do you think it is good that Maori children are taught technical skills rather than academic subjects?

Yes, but before this happens, the child’s intelligence should be carefully assessed before he is placed in a particular occupation or class, so that the occupation is the right one for him, even if he is only an infant with an infant’s ideas, because a child can be aware of such things.

14.  Do parents really want their children to be well educated?

Certainly we want our children to be taught in that fashion.

15.  Are they determined to urge their children to get a good education?

Yes, we are very determined to urge our children to pursue knowledge.

16.  What things are wrong in our schools that prevent our children from learning quickly?

In some of our large schools great importance is placed on playing football, because that group or family, called footballers is seen as refractory. I heard our Headteacher, Mr John Thornton, say that his Hindu pupils (when he was teaching in India) were very intelligent and did not participate in such pastimes.

17.  How do you think we can accelerate learning?

The teachers should devote their efforts to getting the child to concentrate on his work and understand it, and the teachers should be good. The teaching and the work done at home makes a good nest.

There are many sacred places and sacred things in the Whare Maire and the Whare Wananga [Houses for instruction in sacred lore].

18.  Would you like to see the Maori language taught in the schools?

Yes, but only as part of the curriculum, just as a flower for the growing ones.

19.  Do you think it would be very good for the teachers to learn the Maori language?

Yes. By knowing well the Maori language one could facilitate someone’s learning.

20. What are your thoughts on the advantages of Secondary Schools for Maori?

Very good. There are perhaps some pupils who are very intelligent, and if we provide schools for them to go to, there will be places for such intelligent children.

[1954]

21.  Is it best in the opinion of the Maori People to still have Maori teachers in Maori schools?

Yes. That is excellent. These are important marae on which Maori who have acquired the qualifications can use their skills. It is good to know that you are teaching your own people to be equal to Pakeha and to know Pakeha ways.  Desire and ambition are fostered within when a person thinks in this way and is committed to the good work of teaching. Teachers are also a great help to parents.

22. Would it be a good thing to set up some Maori schools for pupils wh0 live in remote places where they can stay for five days a week?  

Yes. If the thinking at the time is favourable it could happen quickly. Everything should be taught appropriate to the time whether it be to fight, to work, or to cogitate on some matter. If everything is properly set up then it will produce mature young people.

23. Teachers in Pakeha schools are saying that teachers in Maori schools are inferior to them?

I have not heard this said. This is news to me, but if it is happening it is wrong.

24. Would it be very good if the Government set up some Secondary Schools and Universities for Maori pupils?

Yes. It would be excellent and would have that name. Were that to happen a young learned person would subsequently emerge and be recognised as a wise person, and people would ask, ‘Where does that young person come from?’ In this way the name of The Maori University would perhaps become known.

25. What occupations would be open to our young people when they graduate from secondary or tertiary schooling?

It would be the outcome of the professions they were taught or wanted to follow while they were at those colleges. If they were to return home, when they were mature, then the tribe could point them to an occupation which would satisfy them materially and spiritually.

26. What is a suitable occupation for Maori girls at that stage?

A good education and a good occupation for girls is one that will help them grow into maturity, and become good leaders, and have self-respect.

It is right that they should consider marriage, but in cases that can be restricting, they can be treated as servants, or be regarded as being ignorant, no matter how competent they are. Therefore, I think a girl should seek to support herself as a nurse, a doctor, a seamstress, a clerk, a singing teacher, or other occupations open to women. All these are there if you respond to a call, to you as a woman and to me as a man.

[1955]

But are there not women who are good at such work, who when they get their qualifications are derided by their circle of women?

This is a time when knowledge in all areas is increasing. Therefore, I say, kind hearts should be open to girls entering upon work and jobs in which they can earn their own living by their own competence and skills. It is wrong that girls should grow up to be servants and slaves to men. That is something that in these days we must talk about to each other. So, if a husband treats his wife as a servant, as their cook and nurse, their daughter when she grows up will also be expected ‘to attend to all business’ [In English].

Is that to be her lot [?ioti]?

MAORI ILLNESSES AND MAORI CURES

You must thank T L Earnshaw and Henare Ahuriri from Tokoroa and their many friends who brought together these explanations of the illnesses and the helpful medicines of the Maori. Let us not lose these explanations. It would be good if they could be picked up by teachers of chemistry and medicine, so that we are not tied to the school learning of Pakeha times and their rules, and that they could be licenced and the old-time knowledge registered.

We see how advanced the people were from their use of herbage and sap for healing people’s illnesses, and so we thought to help by making you aware of these treasures.

There are many among the people who know the remarkable practices of those who have departed, such as incantations for snaring birds, catching eels, planting food, as well as the calls of many birds which tell us about days to come, whether they will be good or bad, or years of plenty or years of famine. What is wrong with publishing them lest they be lost?

Stomach Ache

The remedy is koromiko [hebe salicifolia]. Chew two or three pieces of the heartwood in the mouth then spit it out.

Bad cuts and chapped hands or feet.

The remedy is miro [podocarpus ferrugineous]. Cut the tree so that the gum flows. Spread it on the cut or chapped hands or feet. Coverit with a flax dressing.

Hair Loss

Take the seeds of the karo [Pittosporum crassifolium], pound them in a mortar until oily. Rub this on the head and the hair will grow

Problems of the Chest and the Breast.

Using a pestle and mortar, pound the bark of the koihu [pittosporum tenuifolium]. Then leave in water for several hours before crushing it in the water. Then wash the chest and the breasts with it. The water is good as a drink.

A Minor Burn

Smear it with karaka [corynocarpus laevigata] oil. Put the leaves over it and wrap it up.

When Wounds are Bleeding and Cuts.

The grass is patiti [microlaena stipoides]. Masticate it then stuff it into the wound and put on a dressing.

Influenza

The shrub to use is manakura [melicytus nicranthus]. Crush the outer bark. Put it in cold water and drink it. When one sees a change in the colour of the leaves it is a sign that influenza is about. Therefore, begin taking that medicine immediately.

Head Ache

Put the fresh leaves of the wharangi [brachyglottis repanda] in boiling water for several hours, then drink the water. This is also a good treatment for when one suffers a first attack of asthma.

Tooth Ache

Use the bark of the mapou [myrsine australis]. Wash it and boil it. Squeeze out the water. The leave it in the mouth to get rid of the tooth ache.

For Cleaning out the Bowels, Wounds, and Chapped Skin.

Use harakeke [flax – phormium tenax] as a purgative. The exudation may be spread on wounds and chapped skin.

Sores causing Pus and Boils and Abscesses.

Take the lower young branch of the mamaku [Cyathea medullaris – edible tree fern] and strip off the outer layer. Scrape the inner layer onto a dressing. Warm it up and place it on the sore. Itr is good to change the dressing every four hours

The liquid is good for washing the stomach after the birth of children.

Disease of the Throat – Quinsy – Suppurative Tonsillitis.

Rub down the [?paiwhara] grass. Leave it in water for an hour. Then pour it into the mouth and throat to ease it [?gargle], then spit it out to cleanse the throat.

Bladder and Kidney Problems.

Soak the leaves of the whau shrub [houname] in boiling water for one or two hours. Squeeze out the water and drink it according to the severity of the illness.

To clean Skin Problems or Bruising.

Pluck fresh new leaves of the ngaio tree [myoporum laetum]. Boil them in water

[1957]

for one or two hours. One can then use it to wash or dress the rash or bruising.

A Broken Bone.

The best thing to do in this case is to call the doctor. [? If the skin is intact on the side opposite the fracture that is good. A splint may be placed on the outside skin, but make sure the splint is shaped so that it fits any joints.   The outside skin should be massaged so that it is soft. It can be placed in water for a longtime and the fracture washed in that cold water.]

Stomach Pains

Use a pestle and mortar to soften the inner layers of the pukatea tree [laurelia novaezealandiae]. Leave them to soak for a long time in cold water. Drink the water.

For Sprains [or ?maunu].

Boil together the leaves of the manuka [leptospermum scoparium] and the pohue [calystegia sepium et al]. Use the water to wash the place.

Urinary Incontinence

Boil together equal amounts of the inner bark of the manuka and the root of the [?kawaka – phyllocladus trychomanoides or ?haloragis erecta], and drink the resulting liquid.

Goitre

Eat the edible seaweed, parengo, which some call kaerengo [porphyra columbina] as one normally eats if.

For Burns, either by fire or by scalding.

Boil the leaves of the makomako [aristotelia serrata] until they are very soft.  Wash the burn down then place the outsides of the boiled leaves on the burn, but [?first] put ointment on it.

Improving the Urine.

Take equal quantities of karamu [coprosma robusta] and kawakawa [macropiper robustum], boil for an hour then drink the liquid. It is said that this is an excellent remedy.

Typhoid Fever

Give the patient harakeke [phormium tenax] during the illness. Also provide him with the sap of the horopito [?pseudowintera axillaris or ?alseuosmia macrophylla] which has been mixed with water and boiled. Have the patient drink some of this three times a day, soon after the harakeke has done its work.

Threadworms in the Bowels.

A good remedy is to take equal quantities of the roots of the toetoe [used of various grasses], the tataramoa [brambles and bush lawyer], and pirita [supplejack and similar plants], mix them in warm water and drink a little of this in the morning.

For a Lazy Person who lies ill in bed for a long time.

Give the patient the sap of the turepo [paratrophis banksia] mixed with water to drink, and he will get some energy.

(These are the remedies.)

[1958]

The new Bishop of Waiapu and the Bishop of Aotearoa have announced their decision that they will not attend the 1930 Lambeth Conference.

AFFECTIONATE GREETINGS

We are about to enter a new year, therefore we want to thank those who have contributed articles to the paper, but we must especially thank Dr Wirepa, R T Kohere, Tuhi Taare Rangataua, Te Taite Te Tomo, ev Eruini Tikao, Ihaia Hutana and Dr Te Rangihiroa. Best wishes to you all for the New Year.

AMIRIA HAS DIED

Amiria, the widow of Nepe Te Apatu, of Waipawa died on the evening of Sunday, 15^th December. She struggled with her illness for a long time. She showed great determination in fighting this serious illness. It was only after she reached old age that the illness became chronic. Farewell, Kui! You reached the figure laid down by scripture and went on to exceed eighty years. You were amazingly strong.

Go in the confidence [lit powerful hand] of your eldership. Much gratitude and wonderment have been expressed about your strength and your kindness in relationship to the activities of your siblings which were left for you [?koutou] to carry out recently.

We convey our love and our sympathy to your family and your grandchildren. Your many marae are filled with beautiful men and women. Go in peace and love.

Leave it to the voice of Te Toa Takitini to carry the voices of your children and your grandchildren to your many marae throughout the country, to your many lines of descent in various places. Your many relatives, and those to whom you have shown kindness, when they hear the news, will come with the abundant tears that are being shed for you.

Go to Te Kakakura, to Taipua, to Taitoko, to Te Whiti, to Tohu, to Te Wherewhero, to Te Kani-a-Takirau, to Wi Pere and Pitau, to Huata, to Te Wainohu, to Whaanga, to Kereru, to Te Heuheu, to Taiaroa, to Tamahau, and to your many relatives who have gone before you. Disappear, Kui, beyond the horizon!

Your pets are growing. Before many days the new net will be really fishing. The children will be elders. The grandchildren will be grown up. Farewell, in the importance and greatness that your people have conferred on you. Farewell! Farewell! Farewell!

            Tears pour from my eyes

            At her departure.

            We blame Maui for those holes,

            A myriad of holes.

            Give me a lashing for the canoe’s bow-piece

            So that I can fix it on. (That is sufficient.)

                                                            Te Toa Takitini

[1959]

THE WAIATA OF PAREIHE AND THE LAMENT OF PATUKAIKINO

The waiata to Te Wera and Te Whareumu at Taanenuiarangi

[I can usually rely on my four volumes of Nga Moteatea and my several dictionaries for help in translating waiata, but none of them helped me to make sense of the brief passage from Pareihe’s waiata, so I shall just reproduce the Maori text! – Barry Olsen]

Kaore te po nei te kaikainunui

Ko Te Wera Hauraki i konei maua.

Maaku e iri atu ki tenei awe tukituki papa,

Ki tenei awe pu-mahuru, maaku anake ko era.

The writer says that when it is sung the name of Te Whareumu is substituted for that of Te Wera Hauraki.

PATUKAIKINO’S LAMENT FOR HIS FATHER

My Magellan Clouds, my mana in the heavens!

Farewell, Koro.

You are elevated above Pukekaihau,

Te Matau and Te Whitiotu.

You have given Kekeparaoa and Toka-a-kuku.

When you return it will be to Omakukara and Rotoatara.

The land is laid bare!

Lie there, Koro, within Te Awapuni

To listen to the roar of the sea,

Your skin moistened by the cold water,

Carried by the winds of Heretaunga.

Wi and you others, trying unsuccessfully to catch the south wind,

Weep!

Grieve for the one you loved!

This day the fish goes forth from his cave.

 

[1960]

AN INVITATION

To the tribes, the hapu, the nobility; to the powers to the voices, to the assemblies of people; to the remnants on each marae of Aotearoa and Te Waipounamu.

Greetings to all the tribes living on the marae bequeathed to you by your ancestors over past years.

This is an invitation to you to come here to Waimate on 12^th January, 1930, to the hui to celebrate the centenary of Te Waimate.

1.      During 1830 the Faith was set up in Te Waimate, the central pillar, from which the Word of God was distributed to  the country’s marae. Agriculture and sheep farming began at Te Waimate; the first of the Queen’s Highways was made with its bridges from Kerikeri to Te Waimate; Secondary Education started at Te Waimate. This will be a Hui at which the country will remember the centenary of the Home Marae which gave birth to these great treasures.

2.     It will also be a hui during which the whole country, Maori and Pakeha, can praise God for the blessings of the past one hundred years. In 1814 the Faith arrived at Oihi; in 1840 the Treaty of Waitangi was signed; treasures which have bound together Maori and Pakeha from the time of your ancestors to the present day.

3.     This will also be the occasion for the unveiling of memorials to Mr Marsden and his missionary colleagues who first brought the Faith to the Maori People.

4.     It is a national gathering.

‘Ko te Toki Kanohi kia kite mai.’

May everyone’s faces be seen here.

It will a time when the nation’s tribes meet, when the nation’s thoughts are shared, and when our dead are remembered.

5.     The appropriate times to arrive on the marae are on the Friday 10^th and Saturday 11^th. Sunday 12^th will be a day for services and celebrations. Monday will be a day on which the tribes can raise issues.

Welcome! Bring your thoughts!

Welcome! Let us bring our dead!

Greetings for the Birthday of Our Lord and for the New Year.

From Ngapuhi ki Taiamai.

W Panapa (Secretary)

Waimate North

Bay of Islands

2^nd December, 1929

[1961]

TE AUTE COLLEGE

(The College Report)

To the Chairman of the Te Aute Board, Napier.

Dear Father,

I send you this report on the work of the College during 1929.

There were 87 students this year compared with 89 last year. Four were young pupils who lived at the College but attended Pukehou School.

Because of my illness the work of the College was somewhat disrupted and some of the other masters had the burden of undertaking extra duties. However, I thank my teachers for their commitment to doing the work while I was absent.

At the end of last year, two of my teachers left, D T Okey BA and J Dugdale BA. Their positions were taken by E Dwyer HDA and K Ellicot. In the middle of the year Ellicot left and his place was taken by R D Sharpe.

The Examinations

These are the successful results in the November and December examinations:

            Matriculation                       2

            Public Service                       5

            Intermediate                         3

            Junior McLean                     1          Tu Wirepa                

Senior McLean                     1          T Wikiriwhi

            Buller Scholarship               1          C Bennett

            Proficiency Certificates       4

The Education Department has awarded a Scholarship to John Bennett but because of illness he will not be able to take it up this year. Hirone Wikiriwhi is at Canterbury College. The Te Arawa Board is supporting him. John Greening is at Hawkesbury Agricultural College supported by the Maori Purposes Board. A Waaka, R Pene, and T Wikiriwhi  obtained positions in Government Departments during July.

 

Prize List 1929

Dux of School                       Edwin Paku

Proxime Accessit                  Lindsay Watson

Divinity Prizes

            Form VI         Bishop’s Prize           Lindsay Watson

            Form V           Chaplain’s Prize       W P Hunter

            Form IV         Chaplain’s Prize       Harold Merrett

            Form III   Williams Memorial       Hakopa Nepe

 

[1962]

 

Agriculture A            Chaplain’s Prize       Pera Te Ngaio

Agriculture C      Williams Memorial        Reuben Nehemia

1^st Prize for Profiency – Dux                       Edwin Paku

2^nd Prize for Proficiency – Proxime

                                                Accessit          Lindsay Watson

Special Prize for Mathematics                   Pohukua Turei

Special Prize for Maori                                Rawiri Durie

                                                Form V

1^st Prize for Proficiency                               W P Hunter

2nd Prize for Proficiency                            Jack Ruru

3rd Prize for Proficiency                             Charles Bennett

Special Prize for Progress                           William Oaks

                                                Form IV

1st Prize for Proficiency                              Tutu Wirepa

2nd Prize for Proficiency                            Haere Parata

Special Prize for Progress                           Len Rangi

Special Prize for Progress                           Werepu Te Ohaere

Special Prize for Geography                       George Fabling

                                                Form III

1^st Prize for Proficiency                               Kuru Waaka

2nd Prize for Proficiency                            James Smith

3rd Prize for Proficiency                             Hakopa Nepe

1st Prize for Progress                                   Douglas Bainbridge

Special Prizes for Progress                         Tom Huka

                                                                        Rongo Paerata

                                                                        T Anaru

                                                                        Roy Niwa

Special Prize for English                             Mae Schultze

                                                Agricultural Form

                                                            Section A

1^st Prize for Proficiency                               Mokena Kohere

2^nd Prize for Proficiency                              Pera Te Ngaio

3^rd Prize for Proficiency                              Stephen Ngata

Special Prize for Science                             Tom Robinson

Special Price for Farm Work                      Paul Gemmell

                                                            Section B

1^st Prize for Proficiency                               Ihaia Trainor

2nd Prize for Proficiency                            Wano Anaru

Special Prize for Practical Work                Fraser Wainohu

                                                            Section C

1^st Prize for Progress and Proficiency       William Grace

2nd Prize for Proficiency                            Jack Reedy

Special Prize for Farm Work                      Dave Hehe

                                                Prefects’ Prizes

John Keretene (for Service), Ra Paenga, and Ewin Paku.

 

[1963]

                                                Monitors’ Prizes

Kura Turei, Ned Kihi, Jim Aupouri, W P Hunter and Jack Ruru.

Ernest G Loten

Head Teacher

Te Aute College

BEST WISHES FOR THE FUTURE, HUKARERE COLLEGE

We have heard good accounts of the achievements of Hukarere this year. Now it is to be called a College.

Best wishes, Hukarere. Be strong. Hear! Hear!

            Congratulations to Mere Hall.

 

TO MR BROWN

First Archdeacon of Tauranga.

(Archdeaon Alfred Nesbit Brown)

On Sunday, 1^st December, 1929, at 3 o’clock in the afternoon, a Memorial Service was held commemorating the centenary of the arrival of Mr Brown in New Zealand in 1829.

The service was held at his home in Tauranga on the spot where he erected his church. The church is no longer there but his church bell still stands in that place. That bell was rung when Mr Brown was alive. It stopped being rung from the time he died to the present day.

It was silent for forty-five years and then it was rung by specially chosen people. They were two Pakeha elders and one Maori elder, Te Reohau Piahana, all of whom remembered Mr Brown and how he used to ring the bell. They struck the bell in turns. What was done that day was very moving. When the bell was first struck the people began to come down – Pakeha folk, elderly Maori men and women, and even the infants. When the second sounding of the bell was nearing its end, the ministers came and stood amongst the congregation in the place assigned to them.

The Reverend H F Hall, Vicar of Tauranga, led the service.  The Reverend Manihera M Tumatahi of Te Ngae led the singing of the Maori hymns. The Reverend E M Eruini Te Tikao of Ohinemutu read the lesson in English and Maori. The Reverend Rewi M Wikiriwhi and Archdeacon F W Chatterton spoke to the Pakeha people about Mr Brown’s achievements, and about the great work in the Church

[1964]

during Mr Brown’s century – benefits for the Pakeha and benefits for the Maori.

Nearly 400 people gathered for that service, most of them Pakeha; not many Maori came on that day. One reason was that it was a long way to travel from their Maori villages. It was also in the evening at a time when they had to milk their cows. Although there were not many Maori there were enough to celebrate the day. This was a great service and will not be forgotten. It will have been a sign, something that will be remembered by this generation for many years to come. O God, have mercy on your Pakeha people and your Maori people in the Parish of Tauranga, and your servant, the Reverend A F Hall, and his work in the Church.

Mr Brown was born in Colchester on 23^rd October, 1803, and educated in London. He was confirmed by the Bishop of London in 1823 and ordained as Deacon on 10^th June, 1827, and as Priest on 1^st June 1828. In June, 1829, he and his wife left London for New Zealand, landing at Paihia on 29^th November, 1829. They stayed at Paihia to learn the Maori language and the culture. After five years they moved to Tauranga, arriving on 6^th September, 1934. They lived at Otumoetai, a large Ngaiterangi Pa. He was the first minister in Tauranga and spread the faith among the people there.

Many of the hapu of Ngaiterangi eagerly took up the faith in former times. As evidence of their embracing of the faith the elders gave Mr Brown some land as a site for the Church’s work and for his house. Many of the young children of Ngaiterangi lived at Mr Brown’s mission school at Tauranga. The elders of Ngaiterangi nobly gave some of their land to the Church. From 1834 to 1863  the Church was established amongst Ngaiterangi. Mr Brown was their minister and he was like a father to them. The tribe lived in peace. There was no growth of wickedness, and no [?whakatonunu], nothing.

During the time of the conflict which flared up at Gate Pa in 1864 there were troubles here and alarms in every place. The Hauhau people fought the Pakeha. As an outcome of this war the lands of Ngaiterangi were confiscated by the Government to the distress of the hapu of Ngaiterangi. The work of Mr Brown was impeded by those troubles. Ngaiterangi forsook their faith and their Church practices and their father, Mr Brown. They isolated themselves for 29 years

[1965]

after the fighting at Gate Pa.  One man stayed loyal and loving towards Mr Brown, Hamiora Tu and his own hapu, and Ngati Tapu of Te Matapihi. There were other chiefs of Ngaiterangi who stayed faithful to Mr Brown, continuing to associate with him following Gate Pa and right up to his death in 1884. It is now 45 years since the death of Archdeacon Brown. He was buried at Te Papa amongst Ngaiterangi and his chiefly friends who gathered at that marae of ours and that village of ours.

It is being said by some people in these days that the land confiscated by the Government in Tauranga was Ngaiterangi land that had been plundered by Mr Brown, and that this was the cause of all Ngaiterangi’s misfortunes.  Mr Brown is not here to answer your words about him. The last word in answer to your charge lies with your friend, Time. Mr Brown lived among the hapu of Ngaiterangi from 1834 until 1863, that is, he lived with Ngaiterangi for twenty-nine years. They loved each other. He was a father to them. They had accepted him as a member of their tribe. He had spent this very long time living among Ngaiterangi when the fighting at Gate Pa began. It was only after the battle at Gate Pa that the confiscations took place. Had Mr Brown been responsible for the confiscations, Hamiora Tu and the other chiefs would not have allowed him to live in Tauranga; perhaps he would have been put to death or he would have been expelled. But it was the Maori who gave him the land and it was the Maori who built him his raupo whare for him and his wife to live in. As it was, Mr Brown continued to live in Tauranga after the Battle of Gate Pa for twenty years until, on 7^th September, 1884, he entered upon the long sleep.

He had lived in Tauranga for fifty-one years and was eighty-one when he died. Mr Brown and his wife had one child, born at Paihia in 1831. This child was a boy called Marsh. He died at Tauranga in 1845 when he was fourteen. Ngaiterangi grieved over this child and on the day of his burial, 200 of them came to the grave to weep over the boy. Mr Brown’s [second] wife died  on 26^th June, 1887, and was mourned by Pakeha and Maori at her burial.

Those who know the stories of the past are aware of the work of Mr Brown with the Maori. The stories tell of the loyalty of Maori and Mr Brown to each other.

[1966]

A Commission sat in 1927 to look into the land confiscations beginning with Opotiki, going on to Whakatane, and ending with Tauranga. The decision of the Commission was that the Government should pay the Maori an amount equivalent to the value of the lands that had been confiscated. The Government admitted that it had been wrong in confiscating the lands from the Maori. If the accusations made against Mr Brown that he had plundered the Tauranga lands had been correct then where were the absent people to lay out their grievances against Mr Brown?

When the Commission was in Tauranga, the lawyer for the Crown said that he had searched amongst the old accounts and found this statement. ‘Some land had been given to Mr Brown by Hamiora Tu, the chief of Ngati Tapu, and other chiefs of Ngaiterangi, as a base for the work of the Church in Tauranga.’

There are some sections in the township of Tauranga which have been allocated as Crown Grants to the chiefs of Ngati Pikiao. Does Ngati Pikiao really have rights to these lands? This much is clear, Mr Brown did not give it to them, nor did Hamiora Tu and other Ngaiterangi chiefs give it to them. But when will this be sorted out?

‘Mene, Mene, Tekel and Parsin.’  (Daniel 5.25)

A FAREWELL MESSAGE

To my Maori Minister friends in the Diocese of Waiapu. Greetings to you in your parishes. May Almighty God strengthen you in your work to do his will in the years to come, and may he bless and keep you and your families against the coming Day of our Lord. May each of you remember that you are ‘labourers together with God’ (1 Corinthians 3.9).

Therefore, seek to know what he would like each one of you to do each day.

Do not be lazy, and do not devote your energy to doing what you want to do but to what he wants you to do.

The Holy Scriptures have been written to guide and to teach us ‘to understand what the will of the Lord is’; and it also tells us that we are all to seek this out and know it. (Ephesians 5.15-18)

Therefore, let each one be careful about what he does and what he preaches lest it not be what God wants. Take care lest, on the Great Day of Jesus Christ, what you have done in these days is burned in fire. See 1 Corinthians 3.10-15.

Think about the saying of your ancestors:

[1967]

            ‘Ruia taitea, ruia taitea. Waiho kia tu ko taikaka anake’

            Strip away the sapwood and let the heartwood alone stand.

                                                                        [cf Nga Pepeha 2178]

The Kingdom of Heaven will soon be upon us, that is, the Day of Jesus Chrit is near when each person will receive the appropriate reward according to his works, whether good or bad, or just wrong.

Therefore, my friends, be industrious in your work and especially in doing what Christ commanded. Preach the Gospel of his Kingdom. Cast out demons. Heal the sick. (Matthew 10.7-8) ‘Prepare ye the way of the Lord. (Matthew 3.2-3) ‘Turn the hearts of the disobedient to the wisdom of the just.’ [Luke 1.17] See the Collect for the Third Sunday in Advent.

There is only a brief time now for you to do what you want to do. Satan and his hosts know that they have little time left to them, and so they use their understanding and their strength to disperse the battalions of Jesus Christ, to trouble them, to mislead most people into the evils of this world, lest we defeat them and be found by Christ waiting for his coming and doing what he commanded.

This is my final message to you, my friends, my brothers, my children in the Lord.

This old man is coming to the end of the days allocated to people in this world at this time. I turn seventy in April and I no longer have the strength to do the mission work for which the Bishop of Waiapu commissioned me in 1919 and I do not have an assistant in the work.

I have asked for someone to help me but that has not been granted, however, a different group has been set up to further mission throughout Aotearoa.

For eleven years now I have devoted my knowledge and my energy to that ‘mission’ work, to reviving the weary, which is what the Bishop told me to do. I have seen most of you – not all of you as I wished to do. I have devoted myself to teaching the school children in the mornings, visiting the sick in the afternoons, and preaching the sacred Good News to everyone in the evenings during the mission days. And I have sought to drive out demons and to lay hands on the sick in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, as he commanded us all to do.

Many people have found light and life for the mind, body and soul.

I have to confess that I have perhaps randomly visited most of your parishes because they have not supported the idea of a mission conducted [?only by me].

[1968]

It was the Bishop of Waiapu who told me and you that we should hold missions. It was something called for by the Bishop and by the Pakeha women of the mission houses. I also asked some of you to agree to this. Only two of you liked the idea and considered holding missions in their parishes.

Had my motion been passed at the October Synod I would have devoted myself to helping that committee in the following days and years. This was indeed my desire; this was what I earnestly wanted you to agree to.

I withdrew from Synod because I realised that most of you did not like the idea of setting up a committee to pray for the sick and to counter the authority of the Maori tohunga. What was said implied that the Maori tohunga were better than me; that their Maori activities were better than my ministry in the name of Jesus Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit.

Enough! I leave it to you to choose what you prefer.

 Since you did not like the idea or want to hold missions in your parishes; you also did not support my motion to set up a committee to help you in your parishes, to enquire into and to seek the reasons for the different illnesses afflicting the Maori and the Maori Church. Also, a different group consisting of three young Maori has been set up to conduct missions in every parish in Aotearoa in the course of this year. And since that group started their work in August and September in the parishes of this Diocese, it is clear to me that there is no work for me now among the Maori People who are so dear to me.

It is, as the Maori proverb has it:

            ‘Ka put e ruha, ka hao te rangatahi.’

            The old net is laid aside; the new net goes fishing. [cf Nga Pepeha 100]

So, may the new group be very effective in ‘catching people,’ as were Peter and the others. [Matthew 4.19]

Each of you is to energetic in his work helping them so that their work may bring in much fruit.

Work in your own parishes. ‘Cultivate your fallow ground. Don’t sow amongst the blackberries.’ [Jeremiah 4.3]

Cut down all the brambles that grow strongly in each parish – Maori things and Pakeha things. Pull them out by the roots. Put all your effort into ploughing, to harrowing, and to cultivating your part of our Lord’s vineyard. Remember to sow ‘the good seed’ which are ‘the words of God.’

Enough. I end what I have to say here. Work there where you are.

From the one you have rejected.

Canon Arthur Williams

Pukehou, Napier.

16^th December, 1929.