New beat for Taranaki Maori

TARANAKI DAILY NEWS

MOURNFUL RHYTHM: A historic Maori war drum united a settlement meeting between the Government and Te Atiawa in Taranaki, and the opening of Puke Ariki's Taranaki War exhibition by Prime Minister John Key.

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The slow, deep beat of a military drum yesterday sounded the beginning of a new era for Taranaki Maori, just as it once accompanied their destruction.

At Waitara's Owae Marae, Prime Minister John Key and Treaty Negotiations Minister Chris Finlayson signed documents on the 150th anniversary of the Taranaki land wars that will allow negotiations with Te Atiawa leaders and Taranaki Iwi Trust.

Just an hour before that, Mr Key had seen for himself some reasons for Te Atiawa's grievances when he opened Puke Ariki's Taranaki War exhibition in New Plymouth.

Both ceremonies were accompanied by mournfully slow beating on a century-old military drum of sombre significance to Taranaki Maori. "That drum was given to my grandmother. She was the leader of the poi in Parihaka," said Te Atiawa elder Tiki Raumati.

"They used that drum in the military and I will say we turned it around on them and drummed them out with peace and love."

Before the love came the cannon, the weapon Te Atiawa leader Grant Knuckey held responsible for his people's subjugation more than a century ago. In recognition, a miniature cannon adorned the signing table at Owae Marae's meeting house. The cannon and other taonga were later given to Mr Finlayson in the hope they would be returned once a settlement was made, he said.

Mr Key acknowledged the invasion and confiscation of Te Atiawa land had been unlawful.

National's goal was to reach an agreement with the tribe that would remove that grievance. Despite the gravity of the situation, he was able to raise a chuckle. "I expect that you will push the Crown to be generous in its approach ... Good luck with Bill English."

For Te Atiawa elder George Watson, the ceremony was something his tribe had sought for decades. "I wouldn't say a weight is lifted. It's more an easing of the impatience we have been having."

- © Fairfax NZ News