Big Day At Te Karaka

lb/>Between 3000 and 4000 people assembled en a Saturday last month for the opening nnd dedication of the Takipu meeting house near Te Karaka. In an impressive ceremony in which the ancient Maori traditional rites were closely followed, visiting chiefs were welcomed and responded with donations, the meeting house, Pe Poho-o-Pikihoro, was dedicated by the Bishop of Aotearoa, and opened by Colonel J. A. Keiha, a former Maori Battalion commander, a church bell in memory of the late Mr Henare Ruru was unveiled by Mr H. Carr, a former judge of the Maori Land Court, and the new dining-hall, Turanga-Tanga-ta-Rita, was opened by Mr E. T. Tirikatene, associate to the Minister for Maori Affairs.
Maoris were present from far and near, and the gathering also included a large number of pakehas, to whom the ceremony proved of absorbing interest.

A panorama of the gathering, showing dance in progress by members of Ngatiporou tribe, with meeting-house and dining-room at right.

Mr Te Kani Te Ua, with stick, and King Koroki, followed by retinue, cross marae to unveil likeness of Sir Apirana Ngata in meeting-house

The Bishop of Aotearoa, the Rt. Rev. W. Panapa, speaking during the dedication on the porch of Pe Poho-o-Pikihoro

Two pictures of the women's and men's haka and action song party from the host tribe, performing on the marae.

Greetings were the order of the day.

Contrast: a blonde pakeha and a Maori with full head of hair watching the ceremony.

Chiefs returning across the marae after unveiling ceremony in meeting-house.

Judge Carr unveiling bell in memory of late Mr Henare Ruru.

Maori women wearing black in mourning at the ceremony.

Day was exceptionally hot, and the heat made the ceremony trying for many.

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The Gisborne Photo News

No 45 : April 2, 1958

Big Day At Te Karaka