Ten of us left on February 2nd.  We landed 12 hours later in perfect weather in Auckland New Zealand.  After a day “resting” including a tour around the city and a sail on America’s Cup training boats we headed north in two vans for about 5  hours… and time slowed.

The Hokianga Harbor on the west side of north of the North Island is almost untouched by development, left to the various Maori tribes that inhabited the area for the last 1000 years.  On Friday afternoon, February 5th the first step to the opening ceremonies began – The powhiri or welcoming ceremony.  Historically Maori tribes fight most of the time, steal from each other and must remain vigilant for attack.

Hilltop pahs, lookouts fortified with palisades were  the last line of defenses though long since gone.  However the protocol established ways for tribes to visit safely and the powhiri protocol is the first step.  We were called in to the carved meeting house by a senior woman of the tribe.  We walked together down a long pathway as she sang to us in Maori, took our shoes off, were shepherded to the back wall to honor our ancestors, were given descriptions of how the weaving and carving tell part of their local history, and eventually sat in rows facing our hosts.

The protocol involves three speeches and three songs each. Pa Tate Henare, a 14th generation direct descendant of the founders of the tribe spoke for our hosts.  Our first speaker was Owen Smith, Kerikeri Rotary President.  His speech was in Maori and carefully followed protocol.  The second speech was by PDG Merv Huxford who was essential to finding a local sponsor club for the project and supporting the project to completion.  The third speech, considered the most honored, was by V.P. of our Club, Brad Miller. (text of the speech).

After the speeches all the visitors greet the hosts by handshake and touching of noses.  Shortly thereafter we adjourned for dinner in the social hall.   There was an hour of light left and Pa Tate, the honored elder, suggested we drive to a lookout site so he could explain the history of the area.

Our spartan accommodations, traditional for visitors, was the floor of the meeting house with beds lined up against the walls.  In our  spare time we mingled with the visitors that included numerous Kerikeri Rotarians amd Brad’s Mother, Brother, Uncle and Aunt.

A special treat was a walk down a long boardwalk over the mangrove swamp where it is hoped to have tourist arrivals in the future.

The next morning after breakfast the Opening Ceremonies were conducted.  With the doors closed a prayer and song were conducted. Past President Lian Brott of Kerikeri Rotary outdid herself leading the songs in the Welcoming Ceremony and the opening.  Gail Jensen cut the ribbon.

Tradition has it that there cannot be carving done for practice inside the building until the dedication ceremony which asks and answers two questions:

Q: What is the name of the building A: Motuti Carving Center

Q: For whom will it benefit? A: For all

Holy water was sprinkled in the building from six leafy fronds  mostly by our group.  All the visitors followed in a spiral until the building, set to train 8 carvers was full of 70 people!  Speeches were from the District Governor  Georges Giovanelli (from New Calendonia) and PDG Ernie Jensen. Brad Miller presented the Proclamation from our Arcadia Mayor, John Wuo, a certificate from our DG Tom Novotny and congratulatory letter from President Imy.   Jock Hodgson, project coordinator from Kerikeri Rotary thanked his team. DG George conducted the very first carving (which was picked up by the local paper to illustrate their article)

An outside sign and an indoor plaque was unveiled – the plaque commemorates the involvement of both clubs.

Jean Kapea who coordinated the project for the Marae and Robert Paparoa who is the lead carver  both spoke and unveiled gifts for the Rotary clubs. The ceremony closed with a group of Marae women singing a soulful harmonized rendition of America the Beautiful in a Maori translation and in English.

We were fed a hangi lunch, cooked in the ground on hot rocks but reflective of the modern era – in foil boxes.  A brief Departure Ceremony followed where individuals offered words of thanks and appreciation.  Traditionally the visitors are only allowed on the Marae for the purpose of their visit.