March 23, 2015
Ngaruahine retraces path of imprisonment
Members of south Taranaki iwi Ngaruahine are on a hikoi around Te Waipounamu to some of the places where their ancestors were held captive after the sacking of Parihaka in 1881.
Chair Dr Will Edwards says the hikoi started with some members attending a commemoration on March 17 at Waitara marking the first shots fired in the Taranaki War.
He says it is a journey of great emotion for the 150 or so people taking part.
More are coming down to Arahura Marae in Hokitika on Friday, where the Crown will make a formal apology to the iwi.
" So it’s about us receiving an apology from the crown, but it's also for us to commemorate our tupuna obviously, and also to revisit our linkages with the Kai Tahu, the various hapu and mana whenua who back in those days looked after our kaumatua in the way they were able to. And even now as kaitiaki of the burial sites that are still there, we are very thankful to the various hapu of Kai Tahu " says Dr Will Edwards
FOR THE FULL INTERVIEW WITH DR WILL EDWARDS CLICK ON THE LINK
https://secure.zeald.com/uma/play_podcast?podlink=Mjc0NTc=
Copyright © 2015, UMA Broadcasting Ltd: www.waateanews.com