February 27, 2023
Te Matatini powhiri prompts sharp history lesson
A Tainui leader says hosts Ngāti Whātua Ōrakei crossed the line in claiming exclusive rights to Tāmaki Makaurau during yesterday’s pōwhiri at Ōkahu Bay for Te Matatini competitors.
Tukuroirangi Morgan became visibly angry when speaker Joe Pihema laid out Ōrakei’s definition of mana whenua before King Tuheitia and 2000 other manuhiri.
He says a young leadership group in the hapū is arrogant and does not know their history, and would rather go to court than maintain the longstanding relationships that are essential to Māori culture.
In his reply, Mr Morgan reminded Orakei of the 1849 agreement between Governor George Grey and Pōtatau Te Wherowhero when the Tainui leader threw his cloak over the infant city of Auckland – and Ngāti Whātua leader Apihai Te Kawau – to fend off the threat of a Ngāpuhi invasion.
“After his death (Apihai) was succeeded by a rangatira called Paora Tuhaere who then gifted the waka taua Taheretikitiki to King Tawhiao, the second Maori king, as a symbol of whananungatanga, of respect for each other, and of reverence to the Kīngitanga, and I listen to these young fellas, they’ve got no idea of the history,” Mr Morgan says.
He says the occupation of Bastion Point, which led to Ōrakei winning back its land, would not have been successful without the support of the motu – including the Kīngitanga and Waikato-Tainui.