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.
Link to commentary and article: Te Matatini powhiri prompts sharp history lesson - Waatea News: Māori Radio Station
