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"To
distinguished guests, tenâ kotou, tenâ kotou, tenâ kotou.
To
Moriori, tchakat henu, people of Rekohu - thank you for your kind
welcome.
Thank you for inviting me here today to share this very special occasion
– the opening of Kopinga Marae.
This is an event
of national significance for the people of Rekohu and of New Zealand, as
this is the first marae ever to be built in recognition of the Moriori
people of Rekohu.
Thus it is fitting that it is being opened in the presence of so many
people, both from Rekohu and from mainland New Zealand – and it is
especially fitting to see the huge response from Moriori descendents.
The building of
Kopinga Marae is an important step in affirming the identity of Moriori.
This will be a central base, here on Rekohu, to which your people can
come, from wherever they live, feel at home, and debate issues important
to you as a people.
Today is
also a celebration of Moriori people and a way of life which developed
over centuries in this beautiful but rugged and isolated place.
One aspect of the Moriori culture which stands out was the practice of
peace.
The Moriori ancestor, Nunuku, banned warfare, decreeing that disputes
could be settled by duel but must end immediately when blood was drawn.
We acknowledge today the Moriori ancestors, particularly those who lived
in 1835 and whose names are carved upon the ancestral pou that sits
inside the whare, and we acknowledge the legacy of peace for which they
sacrificed so much.
This whare is a special place. The design symbolises the hopo, the
albatross with out-spread wings, a sacred bird of the Moriori.
The marae’s name - Kopinga – tells us of the ancient gathering place of
Moriori amongst the kopi grove trees on the Island.
We can see that
the design of the whare has been inspired by the work of the Moriori
ancestors. It captures the essence of what is known of the Moriori
people, their carvings, their culture, and their connection to this
special environment and its flora and fauna.
The building of this marae has been a long and arduous journey of
fundraising, seeking sponsorship, donations of money and the ongoing
support from local families, and families in New Zealand and further
afield.
Raising funds to build this beautiful house is a major achievement, and
I congratulate all those responsible and thank those who have helped.
There have been many people involved in this project, from those who
conceptualised the project, to the designers, construction workers,
project mangers, and all those who contributed to the funding. I also
acknowledge those who managed and led the project - the Hokotehi Moriori
Trust, chaired by Alfred Preece and Maui Solomon, the Chief Executive
Officer Leo Watson, and the tohunga who provided spiritual guidance,
Mana Cracknell.
I understand that the wider community of Rekohu has also played a role
in the establishment of this marae. It is fitting then that the
facilities here will provide a resource for the whole community.
The marae will be used for holding community events and is already
identified as a Civil Emergency Centre.
I commend the whole community of the Chatham Islands for embracing this
celebration.
Thank you all.
Me
rongo."
Rt. Hon Helen Clark
21/01/2005
www.beehive.govt.nz/ViewDocument.aspx?DocumentID=22018
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