January 27, 2015
Pomare descendants celebrate
Ngati Manu is planning to celebrate the fact it has four MPs now in Parliament: Labour’s Nanaia Mahuta, Kelvin Davis, Peni Henare and Rino Tirikatene.
The Ngapuhi hapu holds an annual celebration at Te Karetu Marae on the banks of the Taumarere River on February 17, the day its ancestor Pomare signed the Treaty of Waitangi at Opua.
Spokesperson Arapeta Hamilton says as well as acknowledging the MPs, the hui will honour two young achievers, Dr Ihipera Painting for medicine and Monita Skipworth for manu korero.
It will also to remember an important historic traditional alliance between Pomare and Te Tirarau of Parawhau and Kawiti of Ngatihine.
Pomare, who was a leading rangatira in the southern Bay of Islands in the 1830s and 40s, complained about the way British ships stopped paying him a toll once the treaty was signed, but remained neutral when Heke and Kawiti challenged British sovereignty in 1844.
He was still arrested and his pa razed, but after his release he played an important role in negotiating the peace.
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