Te Maori: Maori Indians to gather at hui

Professor Guna Magesan (left), Sita Emery and Waitiahoaho Emery attend the first Maori-Indian hui in 2012. Photo/Ben Fraser

More than 200 delegates are expected to attend a hui for New Zealand Maori Indians in Rotorua.

Held at Tangatarua Marae, Waiariki Institute of Technology in March, it will be the second time a hui for the bicultural group has been planned, with the first gathering in 2012.

Joint co-ordinator Raewyn Bhana (Ngapuhi/Gujarati) said the theme of the event would be "Coming together, working together, growing together".

"It's about bringing as many Maori Indian getting together as a community so we can support one another and look forward towards the future," Mrs Bhana said.

She was proud to be from two "very rich cultures" and said there were many similarities they shared.

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"The Indian culture is very family orientated, there is a lot of love and care for our elders. It is very similar in relationship links, genealogy as whakapapa is very important," she said.

"When I returned to my Dad's village I was able to see his genealogy right through to his forefathers and that the same as Maori how we can link right back to the waka."

The hui will be held at the marae but will run alongside the Rotorua Holi Festival.

The hui was organised by the Hindu Council of New Zealand, in association with International Centre for Cultural Studies (ICCS Aotearoa) and Aotearoa Bharat Friendship Society (ABFS). The participants will have an opportunity to learn a bit about Hindu culture.

Mrs Bhana said it was beneficial for Maori Indians to get together as at times she had felt isolated from both individual cultures.

"I've gone to a marae and have people come up to me and say, 'How lovely it is you've come to learn about our culture'.

"I have also gone to an Indian event and people have said, 'Why is this Maori-looking person here?' so that is part of the reason for this hui to provide our own Maori Indian space."

The participants will have an opportunity to learn a bit about Hindu culture.

The participants will take part in workshops which included vegetarian cooking, Rangoli (traditional Hindu decorative art), "Mehndi-Moko" (temporary henna tattoo) where both Maori and Hindu designs will be taught.

Women will have an opportunity to learn saree wearing. The hui will be held in a smoke-free, alcohol-free and meat-free environment and was aimed to be a step forward in Hindu-Maori whakawhanaungatanga (relations).

The Maori Indian hui will be held from Friday, March 14 to Sunday, March 16. For more information call Raewyn Bhana on (027) 551 3225 or iccs.aotearoa@gmail.com.