Inaugural Awards Rekindles Historical Gathering
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Inaugural Awards Rekindles Historical Gathering

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Inaugural Awards Rekindles Historical Gathering

Suits, neck ties and floor length dresses will adorn the Māhoenui Memorial Hall on Friday 6th December when affiliates of Ngāti Maniapoto me ōna hapū maha and residents of the Te Nehenehenui region are recognised at the 2019 Inaugural Ngāti Maniapoto me ōna hapū maha, Kawenata Awards.

The awards event is centred around the principles of an ancient Kawenata or covenant inspired by Te Rangituataka Tākerei, a great chief of the Mōkau district who convened a gathering of leaders, elders and children 115 years ago at Māhoenui to deliberate a way forward for Ngāti Maniapoto me ōna hapū maha.

Maniapoto Māori Trust Board Chair, Mr Tiwha Bell said, “we want to provide an all-encompassing ceremony that endeavours to recognise leaders, elders and young people achieving and contributing across multiple areas of the community.”

“240 names were nominated for the Awards. 100 of those names were short listed to 50 finalists by a dedicated judging panel. 25 winners were then selected based on the guiding principles of the 1904 Kawenata. A winner who has unreservedly demonstrated leadership, nobility and wisdom will also be awarded the Te Rangituataka Supreme Award.” said Mr Bell.

The awards are proudly supported by the descendants of Te Rangituataka, Maniapoto Māori Trust Board, Ministry of Education, Ruapuha Uekaha Hapū Trust, Te Reo Irirangi o Maniapoto (MFM) and Waitomo District Council. Guests on the night will include the Hon. Nanaia Mahuta and recent ambassadors to Tahiti, Te Kapa Haka o Ngā Pua o Te Kōwhara.

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“Matariki Mātao, Matariki Piripiri, Matariki Tāpuapua”

100th Anniversary of flagstaff honours 77 Maniapoto men from World War 1

This pou kara or flagstaff memorial records and honours the names of 77 men from Ngāti Maniapoto who served overseas during the Great War. Twelve men lost their lives. These men have a star next to their name.

The memorial was unveiled on 11 November 1919. It was funded by a collection amongst the tribe in July of that year when memories of the war were still very much vivid. The King Country Chronicle reported that it was a notable gathering, Māori from all parts coming to attend the ceremony. Dr Maui Pomare, M.P. for Western Māori, unveiled the monument. Mr. W. T. Jennings, the local M.P., remarked:

“This noble monument … would stand for all time as a record of the splendid deeds that had been performed and of our reverence for the sacrifices that had been made.”[1]

Others recorded in attendance included the Ngāti Tūwharetoa paramount chief, Te Heuheu Tūkino, Mita Keepa of Te Arawa, Major Salmon, a former Commanding Officer of the Māori Contingent, Captain Vercoe D.S.O, D.C.M., Mr John Hetet and Mr W. Lorigan, on behalf of the Mayor.

The Te Kuiti District Historical Society hold photos from the original unveiling.

It was also commented on by the local newspaper at the time that Te Kuiti generally had not yet erected a memorial and that the Māori had in effect shown them up their Pākehā brethren.

Interestingly, in many cases, the names recorded on the memorial are not the names that the men enlisted under. Many enlisted under English derivations or completely different names to hide their age. For example, Lt. Mania Erihi is the Māori name of Lt. Oliver Sydney Ellis while Wi Amohanga, aged 14, enlisted as George Nicholls. Tribal researchers have identified all but one of the enlistment names.

The stories of many of these men make for interesting reading. Among the men is a very committed Rewi Erihi or Stanley Ellis who made his way to England after being rejected at home for medical reasons. He joined the Royal Army Corps Mechanical Transport Section. There is also Taare Tūwhakaririka or Charles Barton, the second Maori pilot in the Royal Airforce and Pau Timi Tana or Ned Turner who sadly lost his life on 25 April 1915 when the Allied Forces landed on the Gallipoli Peninsula. Further, there are five Wi brothers from Te Kuiti who enlisted and six Clarke brothers from Ngati Parewaeone of Otorohanga. Three of the Clarke brothers sadly lost their lives.

This restoration work was undertaken by VJ Williams of Te Kuiti. with the support of the Trustees of Te Tokanganui-a-noho marae, the Ruapuha Uehaka Hapū Trust, the Maniapoto Māori Trust Board and the Lotteries WW100 Committee.

The Te Kuiti District Historical Society hold photos from the original unveiling.

The memorial was restored for the very reason that was scripted on the flagstaff, namely, ‘Hei mohiotanga mo te iwi me te atua me nga uri a muri ake nei, na reira, ka whakamaua nga ingoa o nga tamariki katoa o Maniapoto i haere i uru i mate ki te pakanga, e mau nei o ratou ingoa. [So that the people and God and future descendants may know, hence the names are recorded of all the boys of Ngati Maniapoto who went and died in the war.]

E kore rātou e warewaretia.

*Photo Credit: Te Kuiti & District Historical Society

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more kaupapa further by watching the video below:

Maniapoto Māori Trust Board is privileged to have supported Whīkoi mo Te Reo 2019 and look forward to seeing more kaupapa such as this in the near future.

Explore this kaupapa further by watching the video below.

Kaumātua Games show a dynamic mix of competitive spirit and fun

“E tupu atu kūmara e ohu e te anuhe”

As the kūmara grows, caterpillars emerge and gather around it. The source of strength in a community is shown by its leadership. Ruruhi and koroheke from throughout the Nehenehenui and beyond took part in the 12th Annual Kaumātua Games at Les Munro Centre, last week. With the support of tamariki and volunteers, there was a clear connection and co-operation between rangatahi, kaumātua, and workers that made the kaupapa such a great success.

Every year this kaupapa provides an amazing opportunity for all to see our kaumātua in action and establish a lasting whanaungatanga between Maniapoto, Raukawa, Taranaki kaumātua and more. Strongly highlighting the relationship between kaumātua and rangatahi, thus bridging the gap through authentic and organic whakawhanaungatanga.

The Te Kuiti Kaumātua Games is an event for kaumātua aged 55 and over. Organised and prepared by the Te Kuiti Kaumatua Games committee, the kaupapa aims to embrace all things Māori and encourage kaumātua to lift their physical activity through participation in competitive team games, social interaction and community participation. Promoting a healthy lifestyle is a vital goal of this kaupapa as well as making the kaupapa fun and full of laughter for all who attend.

The laughter is always certain with the music and humour of Barry Batley, who has entertained the masses as MC / DJ for the last 10 years.

The biggest achievement is that people are still coming and able to participate, have fun, catch up with old friends and make new ones. The volume of sound and hilarity creates an amazing feeling at the Les Munroe Centre. The young people who come to support on the day (this year from Te Kūiti High School) continue to be a beacon for a brighter future, and the kōtahitanga every year grows stronger and stronger.

Maniapoto Māori Trust Board is privileged to have supported Te Kuiti Kaumātua Games 2019 and look forward to seeing more kaupapa such as this in the near future.

EXPLORE

more kaupapa further by watching the video below:

Maniapoto Māori Trust Board is privileged to have supported Whīkoi mo Te Reo 2019 and look forward to seeing more kaupapa such as this in the near future.

Explore this kaupapa further by watching the video below.