Maori Encounter

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Blog 22



Picton, New Zealand, April 5 ,2018 – Weather forecast: sunny with scattered clouds; temperature 20°C, wind 8kts (3 Beaufort)



Picton is located on the northern end of the South Island and is considered the gateway to the Marlborough region of New Zealand. This region is noted for its scenic beauty, its wineries, sheep farms and the “sounds” – the deep waterways along the coastline.



Picton’s harbour has only one moderately sized main pier used primarily by cargo vessels. On the apron bordering the pier there were stacks of timber being sorted into their respective species and readied for transport to India, China, Pakistan where it will be transformed into pulp for paper and cardboard.



Today we joined a group that was taken to the Omaka Marae, the cultural meeting place of the local Maori. There we participated in the traditional Maori greetings before entering their Long House. The Omaka Maori are actively returning to their ancestral roots by educating their children in the ways of their people. The elders of this community also feel that it is important that visitors, who are predominately white, learn about the Maori culture so that we can better understand what it is that they are trying to preserve.



Once we were off the bus we were greeted by Nan, a female Elder of the village. Nan gave us a brief introduction on what we needed to know and say in Maori before we entered the village. She taught us a simple welcoming support song call Waiata Tautoko. Then she selected two men to be our “Chiefs” for the greeting ceremony. Our friend John was selected as one of the chiefs and given a seat of honour during the ritual greeting.



When we entered the compound two fierce warriors and the village chief confronted us with the legendary Haka or war dance intended to frighten you and send shivers up your spine. Once we had passed the test of not fleeing in fear we were accepted into the tribe and were asked to join the chief and his family in their traditional long house where he explained their cultural heritage. Following the presentation, we adjourned to a nearby building to have some light refreshments while the villagers sang to us followed by another variation of the Haka.



On the way back to the ship we stopped at Vines Village to sample and purchase some of the local award winning wines. Since we participated in a tour that included a stop at a vine cellar the ship waived their usual onboard corkage fee of $15 per bottle and allowed us to bring aboard one bottle each. We can consume them in our room or take them to dinner with no questions asked.

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Photos

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Our chief greeting Nan.

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The Challenge!

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Chief greeting us.

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Everyone learns self defence

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Practice

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One ugly face one pretty face.

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Story posts inside meeting house.

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Story weavings

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Parting face

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Grape harvester

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Soooooo true!