Tuhirangi Band Response to Article

From Left (L–R): Ngahihi Bidios and Roger Pikia with Tahu Matua;To¯roa;Waiata tautoko.

›› CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 ... my self were able to attend on behalf of the Committee, while Anaru Smiler and his management team and Noelene

Reti and her son Willie were also there to represent us.

It was a lovely ceremony particularly so when we were presented with two taonga and a wonderful story of our past relationships. The two taonga represented the past connections and exchanges between us and Ngàti Tahu Ngàti Whàoa. We were told that, as a people, Ngàti Kahungunu had a long history of connection based on the trade of pounamu and shark oil in exchange for their local kokowai (red ochre). In cementing those connections both taonga are in the shape of a Hokio and include representations of Tahu Matua, mangopare (shark) and the red kokowai.

In making the gifts, Ngàti Tahu Ngàti Whàoa Runanga Trust said both taonga signify all those past exchanges as well as express a desire to re-ignite that relationship between us. They said, “The gathering of our people, the blessing of the pou whakairo and the presence of Ngàti Kahungunu brought a connection of past times.” We were both humbled and blown away by the generosity of spirit, the depth of history and the desire for a renewed relationship with our Ngàti Tahu Ngàti Whàoa hosts. So, if you visit Òrakei Kòrako, when you see the pou, Tahu Matua and Tòroa, and the red deposits of kokowai sitting in the hillside just remember that land and those hau kainga people are part of our history and our connection. We’ve been there before. Your visit is following tìpuna footsteps and you are completing another one of their circles.

Tu¯ toka Tahu Matua. Tu¯ rangatira To¯roa. Tihei mauriora!

Ngà mihi, Murray Hemi

Tuhirangi Band – RESPONSE TO ARTICLE

It was great to see Mita Carter’s dance band as a cover photo in the March “Mailer”. I have one of the original prints and was present at that occasion in 1948 as a 19-year-old.

Dealing firstly with the names of the band members; the centre saxophonist is Ian Brightwell, not Peter. The pianist on the left is Scotty Bevan. I never knew his real first name. I am not familiar with the Tawhai whànau. June Te Maari, real name Hune, but known as June all his life, later established his own band, the Premier Dance Band, and provided the music for the 75th school celebrations in 1962. depicted in the “Mailer” was taken at the school’s 60th anniversary and held in 1948, having been delayed a year because of a polio epidemic. The next school reunion was its 75th year in 1962. The school centenary was celebrated in 1987 and the 125th in 2012.

I married in 1954 and left Wairarapa, returning 50 years later.