1960: The launch of a meeting house
‘‘Rain and a cold wind prevailed during the opening celebrations of the Rehua Ma¯ori meetinghouse in Christchurch during the weekend,’’ The Press reported on December 5, 1960.
‘‘Nevertheless a large crowd – 2200 were served at the dinner on Saturday – watched the traditional rites and ceremonies during Saturday morning.
‘‘Ma¯ori visitors from tribes all over New Zealand came to Christchurch for the opening. About 650 came from the North Island ... Members of the Ma¯ori royal family from the Waikato also came. Te Ariki Tapairu, Princess Piki attending in place of her father, King Korok¯ı.’’
The opening of Rehua Marae on Springfield Rd was documented in photographs too, including ones of Te Ariki Tapairu, Princess Piki, later the first Ma¯ori queen, Te Arikinui Te Atairangikaahu, signing the visitors’ book with members of the Tirika¯tene family, a large crowd outside and National’s Selwyn MP John McAlpine inspecting Ma¯ori art inside the marae.
McAlpine delivered a speech about the need to maintain the Ma¯ori electorates, which then numbered four, saying they were essential to the preservation of Ma¯ori culture and representation.
In its report, The Press described traditions that may have been unfamiliar to many readers in 1960. ‘‘The rites began
. . . with the lifting of the tapu. Before this ceremony women and children were forbidden to enter the meeting house.’’
Then there was the food. ‘‘The meals were prepared by four soldiers. Two marquees, which each held 750 persons, were pitched on the adjoining tennis courts, and the dinner was served in two sittings. Two hundred sheep were given to the meetinghouse for the dinner, as well as two bullocks, three tons of potatoes, 40 pigs and 600lb of peas.’’
Rehua Marae was said to be the first carved wharenui to be built in the South Island for more than a century.