By W/O ‘Wal’ Wallace, RNZAF Maori Co-ordination Officer
The Air Force haka
It began with the haunting beckoning of the conch shell echoing in the cold still air. With taiaha in hand, our warriors edged ever forward to meet the 600 strong group of Taranaki Whanui ki te Upoko o te Ika who had ascended onto the remnants of what was once Shelly Bay Air Force Base. It was the end of a 120 year era. On Saturday 14 February, the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) handed Shelly Bay back to the local Iwi. The handover was a carefully choreographed merge of Maori and military ceremony in acknowledgement of both parties and to demonstrate NZDF’s proud bicultural nature. As the current ‘caretakers’, Air Force had the lead. Following the wero (challenge) a spine tingling karanga filled the air, to which the Iwi responded in a simultaneous chorus of wailing kuia (female elders). If that didn’t get your blood flowing then the roar of the Air Force Haka did. The haka party, comprised of both Maori Cultural Group and Guard personnel did Air Force proud as did our speakers. As the Air Force Maori Co-ordination Officer (MCO) I had the honour of giving the opening whaikorero (ceremonial speech) on behalf of the NZDF. The Chief of Air Force (CAF), AVM Graham Lintott, spoke for the Air Force. CAF rose to the occasion in his first ever ‘public’ whaikorero. In an unprecedented response, the Taranaki Whanui people stood in spontaneous applause to CAF’s insightful words as he acknowledged the Iwi perspective:
Ceremonial speeches
‘I am but the caretaker…you are the Mana Whenua [rightful owners]. You hold the Mana of this land despite the name that is upon the title. I do not say welcome, I say thank you!’
As the whaikorero ended, the cultural component flowed seamlessly into the military component as the Guard of Honour took the ground. They were received with relish by the Taranaki Whanui people. Iwi representative and the architect of the Shelly Bay return, Professor Ngatata Love, took to the dais and spoke of a dream fulfilled. He graciously acknowledged the NZDF’s long history with Shelly Bay and even mentioned the Base’s local reputation for long evenings of fun, music, laughter and revelry. It would seem that he had some reliable inside information! Chief of Defence Force, LT GEN Mataparae spoke of Shelly Bay’s interesting occupation, initially by Army, then for a short period by Navy (as HMNZS Cook) prior to becoming Shelly Bay Air Force Base. For 120 years or so it was home for NZDF personnel in some form or another. Now it returned to Taranaki Whanui ki te Upoko o te Ika. It was indeed the end of an era. Formal proceedings concluded with CDF and Professor Love signing documents to commemorate the event. The rest of the day was for Iwi to celebrate. Feasting and fun were provided for all through a range of activities from bouncy castles and face painting to games and music.
Inspecting the parade
Through the merging of two great cultures, military and Maori, the handover epitomised the best of both. It was very moving in its execution and it reflected appropriately the significance of the event for both parties. Shelly Bay now rests once again in the hands of the local Iwi, Taranaki Whanui. But the Air Force and the NZDF did not leave empty handed – we took with us a well earned boost to our Mana (standing) in the eyes of a very grateful Iwi.
He Taua-a-Rangi matou, ko te pai rawa atu i o matou mahi katoa! - We will be an Air Force that is the best in all we do!
Tena koutou, tena koutou, tena koutou katoa.