Royals Charles and Camilla farewelled from marae with haka
Sunday, 8 November 2015
The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall have left Turangawaewae Marae to a thunderous haka from hundreds of paddlers in a visit marked by a grand show of Maori culture, political points and rugby-inspired humour.
Three hundred men, mostly paddlers from an earlier waka salute, performed the haka that finished off the royal couple's visit.
Once it was finished the group parted and Prince Charles and Camilla were led off the marae through them, heading to their next public engagement in Auckland's Aotea Square.
Before a royal high tea with invited guests and a brief public walkabout Charles and Camilla had stood on a riverside barge platform as guests of King Tuheitia as the waka, full of chanting paddlers, passed downriver in a group before turning in front of them to pass in single file southward.
The display of paddling power drew applause from crowds gathered on both sides of the awa.
The waka passed within metres of the barge, lifting their paddles in a salute as a conch was blown.
Some admirers got a close brush with the Maori and British royals when they headed to their places on the barge for prime viewing.
Admirers of The British royals flocked around them as they made their way up from the river.
'Prince Charles, Prince Charles, kia ora,' called one man.
Camilla was also in demand, offering handshakes and greetings to the people who crowded either side of the pathway.
The tattoos on Ngaruawahia man Te Ara Campbell's arm may have got him a moment of the prince's time.
'He just asked me where I got all my tattoos from,' he said.
'He just came up. I think it was the tattoos that caught his eye.'
While there wasn't much time for conversation, Campbell said the experience was awesome and he was over the moon.
Earlier Kingitanga spokesman Tukoroirangi Morgan told the Prince of Wales Tainui is 'undetered' in its desire to resolve its outstanding claims with the government.
In an address which could be seen as reference to King Tuheitia's recent indication that the tribe had unresolved claims in the Auckland area, Morgan told the royal of the tribe's long history with the area and reminded the crown Tainui had never ceded sovereignty.
Prince Charles began his speech in Maori, prompting applause from the crowd, before switching to English and thanking the marae for a wonderful welcome.
'I'm greatly honoured to be returning again to the embrace of this place, Turangawaewae,' he said.
'The people of Waikato-Tainui have extended your care, compassion and hospitality to my family on many occasions.'
It was a privilege to spend time with Kingi Tuheitia and his family, Charles said.
He also recalled his previous visit, saying Dame Te Atairangikaahu was a kind and generous host and extraordinary leader.
The iwi had still been working towards a settlement with the Government on his previous visit, he said.
'Now, as I return more than 20 years later, I'm so heartened to see and hear of all that you have grown from those new beginnings.'
Speaking before the royal couple on the marae as first speaker for tangata whenua, Pou Temara, joked that the royals came at a tumultuous time- the Rugby World Cup.
Charles had reportedly been wondering what he would say to the Aussies.
'Well sir, I have a few ideas,' Temara Said.
'You may tell them the truth and you may tell them that they are the second best rugby nation in the world and we are the best.
Both Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, were wearing korowai gifted to the royal family on previous visits.
Prince Charles was given a cloak when he came in 1994, that had donned outside the marae before entering to face a wero, or challenge.
After taking a seat, waiata were performed for the royal couple and a crowd including local dignitaries, war veterans and the Princess Royal of Tonga
This is understood to be Camilla's first visit to a marae.
Earlier, the marae was buzzing in anticipation of the visit.
A specially-made royal pathway has been prepared, waiata and haka rehearsed, and four plush blue seats sit on a barge beside the Waikato River, ready for the royal couple to watch a flotilla of waka taua.
It will be Prince Charles' second visit to the Ngaruawahia seat of the Kingitanga but the Duchess will set foot on the Marae for the first time on Sunday. Prince Charles' last visit to the marae was in 1994.
The visit was the continuation of a relationship that stretched back more than 100 years, Te Arataura chairman Rahui Papa said.
'We're going to have all of the pomp and ceremony, all of the ceremonial practices, all of our tikanga and kawa,' he said.
The waka flotilla, for example, was reserved for regatta or very special occasions.
'This is one of those occasions.'
PADDLER READY
Will Rangi of Huntly was at the marae at 8am to help dress the waka and was set to paddle in the flotilla.
It would be his first involvement with a royal visit.
'It's going to be a special occasion. It's a bit of a lifetime experience.'
Paddlers would be preparing for the salute during the official welcome but would perform the farewell haka up at the meeting house, he said.
The welcome ceremony will begin with three men blowing a conch.
The large welcoming party will reflect the status of Prince Charles and Camilla, as members of the British monarchy.
The laying of the wero or challenge is expected to be one of the most poignant moments.
At 10am, an expectant crowd was already gathered at the marae and a smattering of people were waiting on the riverbanks.
Maori King Tuheitia will host Prince Charles and his wife Camilla at Ngaruawahia to afternoon tea with hors d'oeuvres, canapes and good old Maori kai for 380 invited guests.
The dining hall, Kimiora, was built for the arrival of the Queen Queen Elizabeth in 1974 and marae committee member earlier said Delwyn Abraham said whanau were hard at work to spruce up the venue for the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall.
'The wairua on the marae is really awesome,' said Abraham. 'It's a chance in a lifetime for a lot of our whanau because this follows through with a lot of Te Puea's vision in terms of hosting royalty.'
READ MORE:
Visit by Prince Charles and Camilla - what you need to know
BUSY SCHEDULE
Charles and Camilla will arrive at Turangawaewae Marae at 11.40am for their 2 hour 45 minute visit which will start with a full welcome ceremony.
During a private tour of the meeting house, Mahinaarangi, they will be invited to view a collection of gifts given by British royals to the Kingitanga including a music box from 1884.
Outside, the day is open to the public and hundreds were expected to line the pathways through the marae as Charles and Camilla walk to the riverside reserve to witness a waka salute and a haka performance by paddlers.
WHAT'S ON THE MENU?
A second public walk back up a flight of stairs will take them to afternoon tea where the invited guests and a simple stand up meal awaits.
'We'll be serving hor d'oeuvres, tea, juice, coffee and water,' said Abraham.
Cream cakes, macaroons and eclairs will also be served and drinks will be provided by Hamilton's Zealong Tea.
'There will be a combination of traditional English dishes including scones, cucumber sandwiches, a variety of different sandwiches with a mixture of Maori fusion food.'
Key ingredients included whitebait, paua, kina and oysters.
'We'll be incorporating a variety of different ingredients such as horopito to spice things up and keep the palate interested,' she said.
Charles visited Westport, Nelson and Wellington on Saturday and heads to Auckland on Sunday afternoon to meet the public at Aotea Square.
RUNLIST OF A ROYAL WELCOME
* 11.40am: Prince Charles and Camilla are due to arrive at Turangawaewae Marae
* Powhiri: The formal, traditional welcome will include three kaiwero (challengers), several kaikarangas (callers) and a mass haka powhiri.
* Private tour: The royals will enter Mahinaarangi meeting house to see a collection of gifts from British royalty to previous Maori kings and queens.
* Waka taua: Six waka will parade on Waikato River and give a salute to Prince Charles.
* Walkabout and high tea.
* Haka farewell: To be performed by the waka taua paddlers.