Te Pipiwharauroa 11

Te Pipiwharauroa 11

No. 11 
1899/01/01

(Maori Version on NZETC)

[1] He Kupu Whakamarama

[2] He Kupu Whakamarama. Number 11, Nelson, January 1899. Editor: Rev F. A. Bennett

TE PIPIWHARAUROA

O tribes of the south and the north who have come to this land, greetings for the birthday of our Lord and this new year. We have come to this year and we rejoice in these days. In response to the request of the Editor to find a name for this bird we have come up with Te Pipiwharauroa as the right name. I like this name because it reminds me of our birds which have been lost from New Zealand. And it is the case that only this bird, the pipiwharauroa [the shining cuckoo], returns. I really love this bird.

It is an ancient bird, a relic of those things that have gone into the darkness, a relic of our ancestors. They will not return to us but we are going to them. So this is the Pipiwharauroa which has disappeared and returned again in order to rouse people and to revive their hearts.

He ngaro tangata ora.
 'A healthy person's absence.' [Nga Pepeha 591]  

So my people, we’ve named our bird a Pipiwharauroa while keeping Te Kupu Whakamarama [The word of enlightenment] to explain the purposes of its cries. We are grateful to Nikora Tautau for his information about the pipiwharauroa and we are grateful to our friends who sent in their own names. Those names were all good. We did not reject any of them but we think that most people would agree enthusiastically with this name, Te Pipiwharauroa. So, people, bless our pet as it is sent out. Greetings and farewell, Te Pipi. Your body is slight but may your voice be strident. Let the people be aroused that they may start to think about the good of body and soul. ‘Kui, kui! Whitiwhitiora.’ [The song of the Shining Cuckoo.] (Some of these words are by Hemi Matenga.)

THE TE AUTE BOYS’ ASSOCIATION

(Rewiti Kohere sent us this.)

Ko Hikurangi te maunga, ko Waiapu te awa, ko Ngati Porou te mana.
‘Hikurangi is the mountain, Waiapu the river, and Ngati Porou has the honour [mana].’ [cf Nga Pepeha 1391]

 On December 19th 1898 the third conference of the Te Aute Boys’ Association at Tau-mata-o-Mihi, a village at the foot of Hikurangi, at the source of the Waiapu, and in the middle of this great people, Ngati Porou. Perhaps some of you do not know of or have not yet heard of this new association – an association of young people. This is the third year since its coming into being. Here is a collation of its aims.

1. To unite the students of Te Aute.

2. To enhance the well-being of the Maori people – their physical well-being, the quality of their homes, and their emotional and spiritual well-being.

They know their own feebleness but they also know the power of God; He is their backbone. The first meeting of this association was held at Te Aute, the second at Te Raukahikatea, and the third at Taumata-o-Mihi, Waiapu. It was held at this village at the invitation of Ngati Porou. There was also an invitation from Te Arawa to hold the meeting in their area, however, the thought was to go to the nearer place first and our hearts remain hopeful that we will in the future receive a warm welcome from Te Arawa. The meeting expressed much gratitude to Eruera Kawhia, a minister and a Ngati Porou chief, for his great effort in hosting the gathering. He had built a beautiful building for the Te Aute students, a building appropriate for their deliberations. The building cost £200. There was Pakeha food at the gathering and the beds were suitable for esteemed guests. Boys from Te Aute acted as servants and served the food and cleaned the building but the local people alone cooked the food.

The elders of the Te Aute contingent were Archdeacon Samuel Williams, John Thornton, a teacher at Te Aute, and the Reverend Arthur Williams of Te Aute. Some 36 Te Aute students and about 800 Ngati Porou gathered because it had been made clear that there should not be too many people besides the chiefs and those who were there to listen and to speak. Few of the chiefs of Ngati Porou were absent. Te Hata Pokiha, Henare [3] Mahuika, Wi Paku, Pene Heihi, Nepia Mahuika, Te Kopa, Mohi Turei and other Ngati Porou orators were there. The spokesmen for the Te Aute students were Apirana Ngata M.A., LL. B., Hamiora Hei of the University of Auckland, Tutere Wirepa and Ware Waitai, teachers at Te Aute, Peter Buck of Taranaki, Anaru Tiweka and others.

On the Monday evening Mita Hamiora gave the sermon. His text was ‘Le us bring back the King.’ Because of the wickedness of his people David went into the desert and had no place to settle. But the love of some of the people for him returned and they said, ‘Let us bring back the King.’ Now the King of Ngati Porou and the Maori people is Christ. In these days he has been thrust out of his church by the deeds of men. So people, bring back the King. This is what the young people are wanting, for Christ to be returned. You, the elders, are to to help them. Ngati Porou appreciated greatly Te Wiremu’s preaching and their hearts were pained.

The first address was by Peter Buck: ‘The Sickness of Maori and the Remedies.’ The second was by Apirana Ngata: ‘The Anchorages of the Maori people.’ The third was by Rev A O Williams of Whanganui: ‘The districts of Whanganui and Wairarapa.’ The fourth was by Paraire Tomoana: ‘The Maori Tohunga.’ The fifth was by Tuaha Nikora: ‘A letter to the Bishops.’ Two of the speeches were not given but have been printed. We don’t have any summary of these but it is possible for someone to read them. Write to J Thornton Esq., Te Aute College, Napier.

Ngati Porou have written a petition to the government to allow the teaching of Scripture in the schools of their district. One topic chosen by Ngati Porou for inclusion in the submission was alcohol. They petitioned that this drink should not be available to Maori because if public houses are allowed the foolish throats of Maori will want it. It was indeed right to call upon Parliament to give the Maori people the right to vote about liquor outlets (local option). That was the burden of the speeches but, people, you may read more in the reports. The atmosphere of this gathering was of great joy and heart. The words of David are appropriate: ‘How good and joyful a thing it is brethren, to dwell together in unity.’ [Psalm 133.1] This was a gathering of young people who look to you elders for help and for words of guidance. So, people, rise up together, look to God, and ‘bring back the King.’

THE LETTERS THAT HAVE ARRIVED

Kaitaia, 
December 26th, 1898. 

My friend, Perere Bennett, greetings in the Lord. Blessings on you and your assistants who are travelling throughout the land to each district. I rejoice in the grace of our Lord, that you are sharing with all peoples the treasure of Christ without desiring food for your Dove [wood pigeon], but flying to the marae of the people without discrimination. The Dove is the really good bird that embodies the authority of God. The Bible speaks of that bird in many places. But the supreme moment was when it rested on the head of our Lord, the Christ. This is indeed the great appearance of the Holy Spirit in his Name, ‘The anointed One.’ According to the beautiful Song of Solomon, ‘The voice of the dove is heard in our land (The Songs of Solomon 2.12).’ The bird is singing, its voice can be heard, but people's ears are blocked so that they do not hear it. They rather listen to the long stories of this dying world about the races at which people waste shillings, and about the foolish hui held by chiefs which waste what should support the common people and the orphans.

This is a question for you. It is my wish that you write to me personally with pen and paper with your explanations. (1) What indeed is the number of the Beast. Revelation 13.18 (2) The saying of Luke 21.25,33 (3) Matthew 21.48 (4) Isaiah 9.14-15 (5) Genesis 9.26. [Let me have] your solution of this. Then I’ll send some coppers for our bird. 

Your friend, 
M.Te Hara.

Tupare, 
Kaipara
January 21,1899.

To Rev. P. Bennett

My friend, greetings to you, the one who has sent the bird singing to the home marae of this district. As a result great is our praise to God who gave [4] this idea to you and your friends. The writings in this Kupu Whakamarama are very good because they are articles about the Maori Church and other matters, and it is good that they also serve to turn foolish people to the understanding of Christ, and they stir up the Ministers to be committed to doing his will. So we greet you.

A canoe race and other Maori sports were held at Takapuna, Auckland, from 23rd December 1898 into the New Year, January 4th 1899. The peoples who gathered there were from Ngapuhi, Waikato, Kaipara, Rotorua. Between 700 and 800 Maori people including women and children gathered. On Christmas Day we went to the Pakeha church, Holy Trinity, Devonport. Three Maori bands led all the people to worship. Three Maori clergy were present at that service. The Waikato people were very happy to be in the church. There was worship in the evening where we were staying by Calliope Dock. On the Sunday of the New Year we again went to that church. However this time there was only one band leading fewer people, perhaps fewer than 60, due perhaps to the weariness of knees or hearts. Archdeacon Clark was the preacher and at the end the Bishop also spoke. Again evening prayers were at the places where we were staying. These are the names of the ministers who came and who spoke the Word of God to the Maori morning and evening: Revs. Matiu Kapa (Kaikohe), W. Hoete Matete (Hauraki), Taimona Hapimana (Waikato), Timoti Kiriwi (Waimate North), H. M. Ruarangi (Kaipara). These are ministers of our church, and there was a student from Te Rau College, Gisborne, W.K. Tait. There were two Wesleyan ministers: Revs. Hauraki Paora (Kaipara) and Kitohi (Auckland). And so, our observation of people at the services these days [leads us to say that] many come to services, many stay where they are, many go about their own business, just as it was with the sower. Here ends these words to you, the Editor of He Kupu Whakamarama. With this my wife, Rata H. Maihi, and I send our few grains of wheat as food for the bird of the New Year. Happy New Year! Blessings on you all for this New Year and upon us here too.

From your friend,

Rev. H. M. Ruarangi

Te Pourewa

Waikato

To Rev. P. Peneti, Greetings.

I have received your request for a suggestion for name for this bird of Aotearoa. I reckon it is for you as Chairman to decide on an appropriate name because I don’t know how many names will be sent to you from the four corners of these islands. Insofar as I have my preferred name, how am I to know that mine is the right one? I can only show that it is appropriate, it is good, it is wise, it ties in with this name given to A Word of Explanation. My name for that bird is Te Pipiwharauroa. The great work of this bird which places its name above those of all the birds of the Maori is that it is the one who announces the Summer to people. It tells us that we have moved from the seventh month to the eighth month. The elders of former times maintained that its dwelling was under ground. With the first appearance of Summer it climbed up to the surface. Its first song was ‘Kui, kui.’ By October its song is ‘Whitiwhiti ora!’ If it is still singing ‘Kui, kui!’ that is its indication that it is not yet Summer. If it sings ‘Kui kui, whitiwhitiora!’ that is its way of saying, ‘This is Summer!’

This is an ancient song concerning that bird.

I remain here

Catching the wind speaking from this land.

I am startle at the arrival of the young

Spearing my skin.

I hear from above the cry of the shearwater to the maire.

While we stay here because of the actions of the long-tailed cuckoo and the shining cuckoo

Moving up from under the earth.

Emerging above to scream

An annual sign of the separation of the seventh and the eighth months

I follow, whitened by the weather,

My bones pounded by the waves,

Weakened by the sea.

[There is much that is conjecture in this translation. - Barry Olsen]

Some of the characteristics of the Shining Cuckoo are revealed in this song. One doubtful allegation concerning that bird is that should a person learn his song he will start pecking up food. Because of the characteristics of this bird I say call the paper Te Pipiwharauroa, so that it can cry out on the seventh month and on the eighth month, so that it can cry into the lobes of the ears. However, [5] should it not happen that an appropriate name is not forthcoming as a result of your request, then perhaps the elders have the right name. Stay well! May we be kept by the great power of God. 

Nikora Tautau.

Porangahau

January 4, 1899

To the Editor of He Kupu Whakamarama

I dreamed about you in the night. Greetings, greetings, blessings on you in this New Year. The Old Year has gone with its good and its bad. This New Year has eventuated. Because of this the thought came that it is right to express the heart’s praise to God who in his goodness has guarded people from the beginning of the Old Year to its end and right into this New Year which is upon us. So as we arrive alive in this new year it is right that we should give voice to a prayer to God to give us a new heart, a new spirit, within us so that we may have strength to do what he would have us do. This is a request to you. Please send a ‘Kupu Whakamarama’ to me, that is, the paper. The wing for the paper will arrive afterwards in a letter. 

From your friend in the Lord, 
Rupuha Te Hianga.

PRAYERS FOR CHILDREN

1. For Little Children

God, you have kept me safe through the night. Now give me your Holy Spirit that I may love you, and all people, and that I may obey my elders also and my teachers. God bless us all; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

For Evening

Heavenly Father, I praise you for all your goodness to me. Forgive my sins this day. Strengthen me every day to flee from evil and to do what is right. May I be protected by you this night. Bless us all; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

2. For Children over the age of ten.

For Morning

Loving Father, I praise you for protecting me through this night while I slept. You did not allow me to be attacked by anything evil. You alone can protect me through the length of the day. Give me your Holy Spirit now, that I may have strength to suppress the evil thoughts and the bad desires within me. Direct my thoughts to the things of Heaven. May I remember that you will see everything I do and may I fear sinning. Make me to obey my parents and my teachers, that I may learn the good things in your law. May we all be blessed by God, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

For Evening

O Jehovah, merciful God, many have been my sins this day, as you know. Do not be angry with me, but wash away my sins through the blood of your Son Jesus Christ who died for me. Place within me a new heart, a penitent heart, that I may grieve for my sins. Do not take your Holy Spirit from me. Make me live with an eye to the time when I shall die. Protect me now. Do not allow any evil thing to afflict my spirit or my body. And when I arise tomorrow strengthen me to do your will. Bless my parents, my family, my teachers, that we may all come to your heavenly home; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

3. For the Beginning of School

Lord Jesus Christ, during your childhood you obeyed your parents. Banish from these children impudent or mischievous hearts. Send your Holy Spirit to inspire them to listen to their teachers that they may grow up as children of our Father in heaven and that they conform to the pattern you have laid down, our Lord and Saviour. Amen.

LAST JOTTINGS

We were glad to hear of the gathering of the Students of Te Aute held at Taumata-o-Mihi in the district of Waiapu. My fellow editors of other papers for Maori, you may publish these reports and by big canoes they will be carried [6] to distant marae. It is our prayer to the Maori people that they will make every effort to help this Association, even though those running it are young people. Ngati Porou are urging that the gathering be held at Waiapu this year but they would be happy should other tribes welcome them to their districts too. 

From 14th January until 22nd some students from New Zealand met with some from Australia.. It was a very good gathering and greatly enjoyed. The main subject of the gathering was Faith. The organiser and the speaker was a very knowledgeable man from a large college in America. Six young Maori were present at that gathering – three from Te Aute, one from Te Raukahikatea, one from Nelson, and one from Canterbury College. Maori know their way around! Reweti Kohere spoke at a gathering and in the evening Perere Bennett preached. He spoke his words to the Maori people. We praise God that his Spirit is stirring up the larger colleges to turn to the Faith and to acknowledge Jesus as King. In other places there are many accounts of this gathering.

On 3rd February an entertainment was held at Motueka by the local Maori. There was a speech from Bennett on the Maori situation, Pakeha and Maori songs, and a Christmas Tree. This was filled with Maori bags and other things. Money from this gathering was for the work of the Maori church. In March there will be a sale at Nelson. The proceeds will be from spreading the good news throughout the whole world. Maori have been requested to send items, particularly Maori things. The money from the Maori gifts will go to the work of the Maori Church. We must not permit other people to provide us with sustenance.

We are delighted that the young men of St Stephen’s have generously remembered us. They have raised 16/- to feed Te Pipwharauroa. Greetings, all you young people!

People, supporters, readers of our paper, this Te Pipiwharauroa in his new cloak is being sent to your marae. Observe. On the marae, in the house, we see Maori, but not like our forebears. This generation has become Pakeha in appearance, in actions, in clothing. Some of them read books. For some this is the Bible and they are taking up the injunctions of the Scriptures and reading the Book of Life. Is anyone reading Te Pipiwharauroa? It is good when one sees a real Maori – Maori in appearance and in every other way. But don’t forget to look upwards. Look at Te Pipiwharauroa descending. People, do provide him with some berries. Give him also a place to settle. And turn your ears to listen to his cry. He is a bird needing care. Bless his words of explanation. Goodbye!

THE SEEDS YOU HAVE SENT

Rev W Goodyear, Maketu 10/-

Bey & Mrs H M Ruarangi, Kaipara 5/-

The Students of St Stephen’s, Auckland 16/-

J H Pope Esq., Poneke 10/-

Rupine Tiwini, Motueka 5/-

Miss Blakiston, Christchurch 8/-

May the Lord strengthen all of us to do the things that are right in his sight.

From your working friend, Rev P. Bennett, Editor, Nelson.

Bond, Finney and Co, Printers, Nelson