E NEWS 6TH SEPTEMBER 2024
Tena Koe e hoa ma, I’m writing from my Airbnb in Hamilton having just returned from the Tangi of Kiingi Tuheitia Pootatau Te Wherowhero VII. Such an amazing and awe-inspiring experience probably never to be repeated in my lifetime anyway. I’m glad to be able to say, “I was there!”
Do you believe in serendipity? All the roads to Turangawaewae were closed off this morning (Thursday). So, i drove my friend who was acting as my chauffeur to the railway station to let me off (I had driven there myself). I had to walk up to the marae which was about 1km from the car and arrived outside the marae, there was a long queue of people waiting to enter. I put my hand in my pocket and “oi aue” the car keys were still in my pocket. My poor friend Ramona and Snoopy were stuck by the railway tracks and were unable go anywhere because I had the car keys. We quickly facetimed and I had to walk all the way back to the car. By the time I had arrived back to the marae maihi entrance there was another huge group waiting to enter. I joined the back row which quickly became the middle row. The powhiri calls from inside of many voices cries out and the crowd I am standing amongst all echo their response. I’m thinking wow this is amazing. We move forward chanting in response to the sounds coming from inside. I soon realised that I was in a tribal crowd. OMG! I’m in the Nga Puhi tribe delegation being welcomed on. I went with the momentum all the way to the marae atea where Nga Puhi carried out a poroporoake, greeted the new n Nga Wai Hono I te Po and Kiingi Tuheitia lying in state. They all then walked backwards and out of the marae again as there was standing room only. As they left the clergy arrived from the back, seats were set down and my colleagues Rt Rev. Fakaofo and his wife Ruth greeted me, and we sat down together behind all the Anglican and Ratana Bishops and two of our own clergy Rev Dr Wayne Te Kaawa and Rev Mahaki Albert both from Te Aka Puaho. If I had not kept the car keys in my pocket and arrived earlier as planned, none of this would have happened. My dear husband Rewi was Nga Puhi and I really believe that this was his spirit that willed me to be a part of his Iwi’s welcome and poroporoake at the Kiingi’s Tangi and also to be part of the clergy delegation to lead the King’s Tangi service. Serendipity indeed!
Yesterday I was part of the Labour Party and Te Moananui akiwa’s Powhiri that was welcomed on to Turangawaewae at 8am. I stood behind Hon Helen Clark, Hon Chris Hipkins and Hon Carmel Sepuloni and many Labour and former Labour MP’s. We spent 3 hours together listening to many whaikorero in the hot sun, lucky we were undercover, but it was still very hot. Te moana nui akiwa were also welcomed and speeches ensued from politicians and the many Pacific Island groups who live here in Aotearoa. There was also another 2pm powhiri of another group representing Te Moana nui Akiwa, which I had been asked to be a part of as well. To be honest, I was spent as I had been at the marae since 6am for the morning karakia, so after midday kai, I left and returned to my Airbnb to put my feet up and have a restful afternoon. Wonderful but tiring.
This Sunday’s Seasons of Creation is “Mauga, Mountain”. Ellen Murray and I will be leading our Sunday worship service. It seems significant and appropriate that Mauga be the theme given that our Maori King Tuheitia has just been buried on top of Taupiri Mauga in Ngaruawahia.
By the time you receive this E News I will still be on the road back from Hamilton. I look forward to sharing more of my experience at Kiingi Tuheitia’s Tangi time permitting. See you on Sunday, Ka kite ano. Fei
You can read the full E-news here: https://mailchi.mp/98a7e133b459/this-weeks-newsletter-from-st-andrews-on-the-terrace-9470296
