Key at Pariroa for pa celebrations

Pariroa Pa celebrated its 115-year anniversary yesterday with a special commemorative plaque unveiled by Prime Minister John Key and Maori Party co-leader Tariana Turia.

Hundreds of people turned out at the marae to celebrate the occasion, which was also attended by Wanganui MP Chester Borrows and South Taranaki mayor Ross Dunlop.
Mr Borrows said he had history with the marae from his time as a policeman, so celebrating with them was particularly poignant.

"There are a lot of people here that I've known for 25 years, they were a huge help when I first came here, and they have certainly left their stamp on us."

Mr Borrows said when he was invited to the celebrations, he wrote to Mr Key to personally tell him how special the community had been to him over the years.

Mr Key and Mrs Turia were presented with surprise gifts from marae kaumatua, Mr Key a taonga of pounamu, named Tu-Tahi and Mrs Turia a woven flax kete.

Mr Key said he didn't know they were going to give him a gift, but it was a "gorgeous symbol of tu-tahi, meaning 'stand as one'."

As he sat admiring his gift, Mr Key was overheard humorously commenting, "I've always wanted one of these."

Mr Key and Archives New Zealand also had a gift for the marae, a framed and restored letter, with translation, from Pariroa Pa founder and Maori parliament delegate to the Governor of New Zealand in 1895.

The letter is part of a correspondence between Tutangewaionui and the Crown over approval being given to move back to his ancestral lands around Pariroa.

Marae kaumatua Mimo Maruera said the framed letters were a wonderful and unexpected gift, and the anniversary was a "lovely" and healing day for the marae.

"It's beyond an honour to have Mr Key to be here. We have 80 people of 200 who died on the battle ground at Te Ngaio, and we've never had a chance to work with the Crown to cleanse, so we've been carrying that with us ever since 1865."

"The minute he [John Key] walked on to the marae unconditionally, all that came into place and what we've carried from 1865, in one three-hour hui we managed to clear it, that's huge for us"

"So it's more than an honour for us, it's been healing, and clarification for us, from carrying all that for so long. Tomorrow is another day and we're able to move on…We do enjoy having the Prime Minister here and the unconditional way he's come and celebrated with us."

After the anniversary celebrations, Mr Key and Mr Borrows visited the Lake View Cafe in Wanganui for a National Party gathering.