Marae History
RANGITIHI
WAR MEMORIAL
NEW MEETING HOUSE IS OPENED AT TAHEKE
Traditional ceremony of yesteryear was observed by Maoris and pakehas today when over 1500 people assembled on the marae for the official opening of the Rangitihi meeting-house at Taheke, near Okere Falls. The house has been extensively carved by Mr Kaka Niao assisted by Mr George Emery & Tiakiawa Tahuriorangi.
It was officially opened by the Minister of Defence, the Hon. T. L. MacDonald and Miss Hine Bennett, daughter of the late Bishop Bennett and descendant of the paramount chief, Hemana Pokiha. Also included in the official party were the Hon. F. W. Doidge, Minister of Exter- nal Affairs and Mrs Doidge, and Mrs MacDonald.
The party was challenged by Mr S. Mitchell and then escorted by Lieut. - Colonel A. Awatere, D.S.O., M.C., and Lieut.- Colonel C. Bennett D.S.O.
Chief Hemana welcomed the party in the meeting house, which is a memorial to soldiers of the district who died in the two world wars.
Visiting tribes include members of the Ngati Porou (East Coast), Waikato, Ngai Tai (Torere), Tuwharetoa (Taupo), Mataatua (Whakatane), and those from Maketu, Tauranga, Te Puke and Matamata, all branches of the Arawa Confederation being represented.
Representatives of each of the tribes made an offering towards the expenses of the ceremony. Among those who were present were the chairman of the Managatu, chief Te Kani Te Ua, the chairman of the Arawa Trust board, Mr Z Mitchell and members of the Hawkes Bay County Council and the Mayor and Deputy Mayor of Rotorua Messrs A. F. Moncur and K. T. Anaru.
A presentation to Mr MacDonald and Mrs MacDonald was made by Chief Te Ito Paora on behalf of the Ngati Pikiao, of a greenstone mere and tiki respectively.
Rotorua Post Thursday 31 March 1951.
Acknowledgement to The Don Stafford Collection for the story & Robert Norton for the photograph.
Page last updated 9 Feb 2010
