Canoe Tradition in Music - a short programme compiled and narrated by Leo Fowler (5'20").
00.00 - 05.20: Theme music: "Hoea ra te waka nei..."
As English aristocracy traces proud descent from William the Conqueror, and the Americans from the Mayflower, so the Māori traces his genealogy back to the migration of the canoes which brought his ancestors from far-off Hawaiki at least 25 generations ago. There were some 54 names of canoes, of which some record has been kept, but the main tribes trace back to the famous Fleet of seven. Through the generations the knowledge of these canoes, of the people who came in them and of the traditions that have been handed down, have been kept alive in ancient chants.
Excerpt of an unidentified ancient chant...
In more modern times, the simpler aspects of the main traditions have been taught to a wider audience, to an audience of young people by means of pneumonic songs, such as the canoe poi dance.
"Nga waka e whitu e tau nei..." Explanation of the song occurs simultaneously.
One of the oldest and best of the ancient canoe chants is 'Takitimu", telling of the voyage of the Takitimu canoe. This item was used in accompaniment to the poi dance to Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, when she was greeted by the Māori people of NZ at Waitangi last February. Such are the canoe songs of the Māori, keeping alive in ancient waiata and modern action song.
Te Tangi - a short programme compiled and narrated by Leo Fowler (4'47").
This is the sound of the powhiri tangi. Powhiri is the Māori women's cry of welcome. Tangi is the Māori sound or ceremony of crying or mourning and grief...
Gate Pa Centenary, Speech - introduced by an NZBC announcer, then a speech about the Māori Geneva Convention. (2'00"). Announcer is John May.
Introduction concerns the overall function of the unveiling and dedication of a memorial on the Gate Pa battle site. This is the centenary of the battle which was fought on Wednesday, 29 April 1864. The first and main speaker was administrator Sir Harold Barraclough, who after his speech, moved across to unveil the plaque. Here is part of his speech:
"To the Colonel, fiends - not enemies - friends, salutations to you...Friend do you give heed to our laws for regulating the fight?
Rule 1 - If wounded or captured whole, and butt of the musket or hilt of the sword be turned to me, he will be saved.
Rule 2 - If only pakeha, beng a soldier by name, shall be travelling unarmed and meet me, he will be captured and handed over to the direction of the Law.
Rule 3 - The soldier who flees being carried away by his fears and goes to the houses of priests with his guns, and even though carrying arms, will be saved, I w8ill not go there. The unarmed pakeha men, the unarmed pakeha, women and children, will be spared. These are the binding laws for Tauranga.
This monument will keep forever green the sacrifice of those who clashed so bravely and so honourably on this spot so long ago.
I am deeply moved, Ladies and Gentlemen, that I have been given the honour of unveiling this memorial and deep in that spirit of humility that I now perform the task which you have entrusted to me."