20 October 2009
Reviewed by Major Monique Brown
Waiouru resounded with spirited music, song and dance during the recent New Zealand Army Cultural festival.
More than 500 performers and spectators from all over New Zealand gathered at Waiouru for what is now a cultural highlight in Army’s calendar of events.
The build-up to the 2009 festival began when Nga Mokopuna o Te Hokowhitu a Tu arrived in Waiouru having travelled for 12 hours from Tokomaru Bay. Te Roopu O Te Pataka from Trentham arrived early, and not far behind them were Kairanga and Te Reo O Te Pacifica from Linton, Tiori from Burnham, Te Korowai from Papakura and the Hauraki, Air Force and Navy groups.
After being welcomed onto the Army Marae by the Commander of LTDG, Colonel Roger McElwain, they spent the rest of the day and night putting the finishing touches to their costumes and programmes.
The Chief of Army, Major General Rhys Jones opened the festival, acknowledging the importance of Maori culture within the New Zealand Army. “It is part of the many different influences from which we derive our warrior ethos. Recognising our culture and instilling its values in our people promotes cohesion and esprit de corps,” he said.
The paramount chief from Tuwharetoa, Sir Tumu te Heuheu, Susan Lady Te Heuheu, and their entourage arrived with students from Tongariro High School. The students performed a spectacular contemporary choreography with youthful exuberance that included an expert display of poi and Waiata-a-ringa by tiny four-year-old Waikariria, who stole the hearts of everyone who watched her.
The Master of Ceremonies, Mr Piripi Munroe entertained and expertly guided the performances with military precision, finishing each bracket with just minutes to spare.
Every festival thrills and inspires the spectators and participants with something special, and this year was no exception. The Linton roopu paid tribute to Willie Apiata, VC by performing a song composed by Derek Lardelli acknowledging the unselfish actions, devotion to duty and the inspirational qualities of respect and humility that Willie Apiata personifies.
The Waiouru roopu sang a moving song composed by Jase Te Are, dedicated to “Nanny Toots’ Ngatungaane Brown, QSM who died late last year. Trentham addressed the issues of domestic violence and violence against children with parents performing beside their children giving power to their message. The Burnham and Papakura roopu both dedicated their performance to 28th Maori Battalion veteran Koro Eric Henry who died on Anzac Day this year.
As well as spectacular music and dance the festival provided other visual treats. The women of Te Korowai O Te Raki from Papakura wore magnificent hand woven flax bodices that flowed and danced during their performance. Their costumes were black and kokowai or the traditional Maori red made from shark’s liver.
Te Tini O Hauraki performed with great gusto as their tutor Nathan Wharton led their tribute to the late Sir Howard Morrison, singing “How Great Thou Art”. Air Force stormed the stage with a dramatic performance from the men and women from all four Air Forces Bases. Te Awhiorangi is the spearhead for Maori cultural growth and development within the Air Force and they wowed the audience with their style, skill, and passion giving Deputy Chief of Air Force, Air Commodore Gavin Howse plenty to be proud of.
The Navy looked striking in their costumes and gave a professional, skilled, and polished performance demonstrating great passion and enthusiasm even though they had received tragic personal news just minutes before their performance began.
The festival was truly multicultural as the rhythmic sounds of island drums filled the hall and the energetic dancing from Te Reo O Te Pacifica representing their Cook Island heritage, entertained the audience. They acknowledged the Commander, 2 LFG, COL Howie Duffy who was in the audience, and thanked him and others for making their journey to the festival possible.
The final performance came from Nga Mokopuna o Te Hokowhitu a Tu and was inspirational. They are the grandchildren and great grandchildren of men and women whose performances have been associated with the Army since World War One. Complete silence echoed from the Conference centre while a solo sung by nine-year-old Nehu Karaka brought many to tears. The children remained on stage for the final formalities as MAJGEN Jones closed the festival. “It was encouraging to see, with so many young people in the groups, that clearly kapa haka is a growing art,” he said.
Piripi Monroe led all four verses of Pokarekare Ana to finish the festival.