karonious

Just wanted to share this with you
Today, I attended the Koroneihana of Kingi Tuheitia at Turangawaewae.

I was one of the very few pakeha faces to be seen today at the coronation of Tuheitia the Maori King. To be right, he was crowned several months ago but in accordance with Maori culture, he made his first public speech today, after the unveiling of his mother’s gravestone which is traditionally a year after death. From what I gather – and I don’t profess to be an expert, so If I have made mistakes and offended anyone apologies are in order – the week long Koroneihana is somewhat akin to the ages old games of the ancient Greeks and Romans. It is held at Turangawaewae which is the marae that generally hosts the huis of the royal family even though they actually live at another marae a few miles away. The first day is mainly set aside for people from the local area who have been bereaved in the past year. Prayers and karakias are said in remembrance for the departed and for those bereaved to recognise their loss. The second day is for the recent losses of the Maori nation in general. The following days are various discussions, forums and sports with prizes in honour of various prestigious people. Today was the first public speech as the mourning period for the last Maori queen is now officially over. And tomorrow is the last day with closing ceremonies and more prayers/karakias.

I saw the King of Tonga and the princess of Tonga, King Tuheitia and the Prime Minister Helen Clark. At one point, there was a speech-maker ejected from the marae – I thought it was part of the ceremony, like Blackrod knocking on the doors of the House of Commons in England. But no, he was actually up there speechifying and insulting the King. It was very entertaining. I was really glad I was standing next to my very knowledgeable Maori colleague who filled in the details for me. As you might imagine, there was very little of the day’s business actually spoken in English, or translated either as it is essentially a Maori affair.

After all the speeches, it was a quick dash down to the Waikato to watch the wakas row past and salute the King. It was worth waiting for. In spite of the crowds on the banks, there was complete silence as they rowed down the river, blowing on their conch shell horns, chanting hakas, then they saluted the King with raised oars. It was so very well executed – a huge amount of rehearsal must have gone into it so I hope they were very proud of themselves as it instilled such a feeling of cultural heritage and images of the simple grandeur of a warrior race from an age gone by. They were simply stunning. They swept the three big war canoes around on the river in a magnificent turn that was awe inspiring to see – it put shivers down my spine watching and listening to them.

I felt honoured to have been there today on such a red letter day for the Maori nation, to have been there to witness history in the making. I have a programme of which I cannot read a single word as it is written in Maori but I intend to keep it as there can only be so many of them printed. Like I said earlier, there were very few pakeha there, probably about 98% Maori attendance. It was a most peculiar experience to be in the minority by such a large proportion, not that I was made to feel any different from anyone else.

So, if perchance you catch it on TV – look out for me!! If there is a pale blur at the back under the trees, it may well be me!!

theduke

Lucky you, sounds great! A real experience

karonious

Like every other big event, there was a lot of speechifying that was plain boring!
But I am glad I had the opportunity to go.

TeamEmbo

Wow! What a wonderful thing to be a part of. Great idea to keep the programme, it's a real once in a lifetime kind of event. I don't suppose you were allowed to take any photos?

karonious

I didn't notice any photos been taken on the marae but there were cameras/phones galore waving about on the riverbank. I didn't have my phone on me

SarahB

I did catch a bit of it on the news before DS decided he wanted Playhouse Disney back on again. It sounds wonderful, what an experience!

P2L

Karen

What a once in a lifetime experience

That'll be one to tell the grandkids

brussels_sprout

Did you get a personal invitation Karonious ?

danny.f

Bloomin Marvellous Kaggers!

karonious

No personal invite (he couldn't spell Karen!), I was part of a group escorting patients from work

Ted Logan

Damn you ..... thats why she wasn't at question time in Parliment and I missed seeing her.

Must remember to invite her over for dinner sometime.

lardyl

Cool, I'll be thinking of ya when I drive past *that* place

BEVS

I've just read this and I'm a bit blown away by it TBH. How wonderful to be part of something so significant.