Hemana Pokiha welcomes guests the opening of the reconstructed centennial house Tama te Kapua. Along with many tribes, reinforcements of the 28th Maori Battalion also attended the gathering. Kepa Ehau provides a live translation of the speech.
Pokiha’s speech is prefaced with an introduction by Sir Apirana Ngata.
Site editor’s note: the sound file has had some slight editing.
Transcript
Apirana Ngata: The next recording, 5A, was taken on the same occasion and was a speech of welcome by the late Hemana Pokiha one of the high chiefs of the Arawa tribe. And the interpretation is by Mr Kepa Ehau. Hemana Pokiha was the grandfather of Lieutenant Colonel C.M.Bennett formerly attached to the National Broadcasting Service.
Hemana Pokiha was one of the greatest Maori orators of his time. Well known on many maraes throughout the North Island on the great occasions when the tribes all gather. He died, four years ago amid nationwide regrets at his loss.
Kepa Ehau: Glory to God in heaven, peace on earth, goodwill towards all men.
Leader: No reira, Te Arawa nga iwi e takoto nei
Group: Au, au, aue ha!
Leader: Toia mai
Group: te waka
Leader: Ki te urunga
Group: te waka
Leader: Ki te moenga
Group: te waka. Ki te takotoranga i takoto ai te waka
Leader: kia rite
Hemana Pokiha: Haramai, haramai, haramai
Kepa Ehau: Welcome, welcome, welcome.
Hemana Pokiha: Te taonga mate, te taonga me i tukuna mai i te ao, kore noa tatau i Kingi i tera pito o te ao, haere mai korua ko to hoa wahine.
Kepa Ehau: Sir Governor General – the mouth piece and representative of his majesty King George VI welcome with her Excellency Lady Newall.
Hemana Pokiha: E ahakoa i kore au e kite i tera pito o te ao. Kei konei ra koe e noho ana kei roto i o whakaaro mo te iwi Maori, e kukumea nei te aroha o nga tikanga i whakaekea mai nei e to ratau kui e Wikitoria ki roto i te iwi Maori
Kepa Ehau: Their majesty’s are in the citadels of the great world. You and your good lady represent them here in this beautiful little country for which we and all ours are prepared to give our all.
Hemana Pokiha: No reira ko tenei whakakotahitanga ki a tatau e kore rawa e taea te whakawetewete. Kore e taea te whakanekeneke, ki roto i te manawa aia nei, a, ake tonu atu
Kepa Ehau: As already signed and sealed by compact so will it go on for generation after generation.
Hemana Pokiha: No reira – no reira ra, ka mutu noa ake nga kupu ki a koutou kua oti te korero, i te ra inanahi. Kua oti te korero i tera marae o tatau. Na reira, ko enei noa iho aku korero. E mihi atu nei ahau ki a koutou katoa – tena ra koutou katoa nga iwi o te motu
Kepa Ehau: Sir Governor General, Lady Newall once again welcome, welcome, welcome.
Sound file from Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision, ref: 46574. Any re-use of this audio is a breach of copyright.
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