Impressive ceremony marks return of paddle to Maori hapu

The ceremony to hand back an historic Maori paddle is underway. PHOTO/GEORGE NOVAK

The ceremonial return of a paddle owned by renown 19th Century Maori chief Hori Ngatai took place on Mount Maunganui's Whareroa Marae today.

The programme for the return began at 10am with the welcome onto the marae. The ladies were guided by Puawai Cairns, the niece of Kihi Ngatai, Hori Ngatai's great grandson, while the men were guided by Dr Arapata Hakiwai, head of Maori Affairs at Te Papa.

Mark Goodman, the owner of the paddle or hoe, accepted the challenge and then made his way to the ceremonial space where he laid the hoe on a whariki, or traditional mat.

Tangata whenua hosts then gathered to say a prayer over the hoe after which people took their seats and the speeches began, starting with the hosts and Dr Hakiwai. The hosts spoke again, followed by British High Commissioner Jonathan Sinclair and Mr Goodman.

The speeches were followed by visitors crossing over to the host's side for the traditional greeting including the hongi and handshaking.

Following the hariru, the ceremony concluded in the dining hall with the sharing of food with tangata whenua.

The paddle was gifted by Hori Ngatai 150 years ago to young English army lieutenant Alfred Woodward.

A name carved into the paddle led to it being identified as formerly belonging to Hori Ngati, with the repatriation ceremony taking place on Hori's home marae.