Iharaera

Let me, first of all, extend a personal greeting to my special guests from afar -  His Majesty King Siaosi George Tupou V of the friendly Kingdom of Tonga;  His Highness Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Efi Head of State from Western Samoa;  Her Royal Highness Princess Pilolevu of Tonga;  Her Royal Highness Princess Kekaulike Kawananakoa of Hawaii;  His Royal Highness Prince Teriihinoiatua Joinville Pomare of Tahiti;  His Excellency Sir Frederick Goodwin, the Queen's Representative of the Cook Islands, and Lady Goodwin;  The Honourable Fisa Pihingia, Deputy Premier of Niue Pa Ariki of Rarotonga.

From home in Aotearoa, I warmly welcome -

His Excellency the Honourable Anand Satyanand, Governor-General of New Zealand, and Her Excellency Susan Satyanand;  The Prime Minister the Right Honourable Helen Clark;  Ariki Tumu te Heuheu of Tuwharetoa;  Tumuaki of Ratana Church, Hare Meihana;  Tumuaki Anaru Tarapipipi Tamehana, the King Maker.

It has been one year since the passing of my mother, Te Arikinui Te Atairangikaahu, and this is the first time that I am able to pay tribute to her, as a mother and queen of her people. Her legacy is one that broke new ground with the old people at the time as the first woman to lead the Kingitanga.

Prior to her forefathers from Potatau Te Wherowhero, to Tawhiao, Mahuta, Te Rata and Koroki held the mantle and served vestige of leadership bestowed and agreed to by the motu.

Her legacy is now joined to their legacy, I pay tribute to their wisdom and leadership to ensure that Maori people will continue to shape this nation of Aotearoa, our lands, our mountains, our rivers, our forests, our oceans, our people.

She once said that our tupuna believed: "&for us to grow, prosper and survive we had to unite, pool our resources and organise to face the massive changes before us&"

That vision is just as relevant today as it was in her time. We come together to acknowledge our whakapapa connection to one another, to express our common concerns and to explore the potential of our future opportunities.

It is with that in mind that I acknowledge the foresight of her leadership that sought to preserve our language and culture on our marae and amongst our whanau.

The Kohanga Reo Movement was so much a part of that commitment. A belief that our children and mokopuna can succeed in all that they do if they know their language, culture and identity.

Confident in who they are and their place in the world is critically important. As the parents and grandparents we need to nurture the next generation to excel in all that they do, pursue excellence and be tireless in their determination.

Education and life-long learning is an important part of that success, not just for our mokopuna and tamariki, but ourselves and kaumatua. We have much to learn from each other, much to share with others and much to learn from others.

Our shared identity and the flourishing of it holds us together and gives meaning to the unity that is expressed through the Kingitanga.

It is that vision that I will continue to follow, as Te Ata did, and her fathers before her.

Our language, culture and heritage reaches beyond our tribal affiliations into the Pacific and beyond our Asia-Pacific region to other indigenous peoples. As we commit to our Maori way and world view we open doors to peoples of all cultures their language, knowledge and even create the potential for trading opportunities alongside the Maori economy.

Those are the fruits of education in today's world.

I acknowledge you who have come to Turangawaewae and we remember all those who have passed on. Their memories and commitment to the ways of our old people leave a legacy for each of us, our families and this marae.

The realisation of the vision of our tupuna was that we would grow, prosper and survive, despite the ever-changing ways of today's world and its challenges.

Our commitment to each other building on our strength in unity will be an enduring symbol to a younger generation who seek bright and meaningful future.

Finally, we herald a new dawn, mindful of all that has passed. We honour the achievements of the many that have preceeded us; their sacrifice has forged a way forward. We strive to lead opportunities for our people without fear, but with courage and determination, secure in the knowledge that collectively we have the capacity to charter new waters and new horizons.

No reira teana koutou,  kia ora mai i roto i nga manaakitanga a te Atua.

Pai Marire. 

The origins of the Korotangi remain a mystery, although it is now almost 100 years since it was found by a Maori imbedded in the roots of an upturned manuka tree, between Aotea harbour and Raglan. All that is definitely known is that it was discovered in 1878, that it weighs 4 Ib 10 oz, is 10 inches long and is finely carved from a dark green serpentine. The Korotangi was first aquired by Albert Walker, who left it for a short time with Major Drummond Hay of Cambridge, and it was during it's stay in Major Drummonds home that the first clue came to Korotangi's identity.

ROYAL FAMILY TRAVELS TO HAWAII