King Koroki Te Rata Mahuta Tawhiao Potatau Te Wherowhero (centre), with Pei Te Hurinui Jones (left), and Te Kiri Katipa (Alexander Turnbull Library)
First Radio Speech by King Korokī
At the beginning of the hui, announcer Charles Bennett introduces speeches from members of the Māori Royal Family at Mahinārangi Meeting House.
King Korokī was the first speaker and this excerpt captures his first radio address.
Read more about King Korokī.
This excerpt was taken from the recording 319774: Opening of Tūrongo House – Part One, you can listen to the full item here.
Collection reference 319774
Year 1938
Credits Announcer: Charles Bennett
Welcoming Speech by Haunui Tāwhiao
Announcer Charles Bennett introduces Haunui Tāwhiao, son of King Tāwhiao and grand-uncle of King Korokī.
Haunui Tāwhiao speaks from Mahinārangi wharenui. He greets all tribes, Governor-General Sir Galway and other distinguished guests gathered for the opening of Tūrongo House and the investiture of the CBE to Princess Te Puea Hērangi.
This excerpt was taken from the recording 319774: Opening of Tūrongo House – Part One, you can listen to the full item here.
Collection reference 319774
Year 1938
Credits Announcer: Charles Bennett
Speech of Welcome by Tūmate Mahuta
Announcer Charles Bennett introduces Tūmate Mahuta, son of King Mahuta and uncle of King Korokī.
From Mahinārangi wharenui, Tūmate Mahuta continues the welcome and acknowledges international guests who have travelled to Ngāruawāhia to support the opening of Tūrongo House and the investiture of the CBE upon Princess Te Puea Hērangi.
This excerpt was taken from the recording 319774: Opening of Tūrongo House – Part One, you can listen to the full item here.
Read more about Tūmate Mahuta.
Collection reference 319774
Year 1938
Credits Announcer: Charles Bennett
Te Puea Hērangi Addresses the Hui
Announcer Charles Bennett introduces Te Puea Hērangi, who speaks from Mahinārangi wharenui.
Te Puea greets the tribes who have gathered, acknowledges their canoe of origin and speaks of the genealogical links that bind them. She makes special mention of Sir Apirana Ngata and his ongoing support in realising her dream of building Tūrongo House.
Read more about Te Puea Hērangi.
This excerpt was taken from the recording 319774: Opening of Tūrongo House – Part One, you can listen to the full item here.
Collection reference 319774
Year 1938
Credits Translator: Commentator: Charles Bennet
Speech Given by Te Kiri Katipa
Announcer Charles Bennett introduces Waikato kaumātua Te Kiri Katipa.
From Mahinārangi wharenui, Katipa adds to the speeches of welcome and recalls relationships with English royalty over time.
This excerpt was taken from the recording 319774: Opening of Tūrongo House – Part One, you can listen to the full item here.
Collection reference 319774
Year 1938
Credits Announcer: Charles Bennett
Sir Apirana Ngata Responds to Salutations
Announcer Charles Bennett introduces Sir Apirana Ngata at Mahinārangi wharenui.
Ngata responds to the salutations bestowed upon him by previous speakers and acknowledges distinguished guests gathered for the occasion.
Read more about Sir Apirana Ngata.
This excerpt was taken from the recording 319774: Opening of Tūrongo House – Part One, you can listen to the full item here.
Collection reference 319774
Year 1938
Credits Announcer: Charles Bennett
A Response by Hemana Pōkiha
At Tūrangawaewae Marae, Ngāti Pikiao kaumātua Hemana Pōkiha responds to the welcome on behalf of Te Arawa.
His whaikōrero is supported by the haka Te Arawa E and the waiata E Tama Puta Kino i te Pō Nui.
Hemana Pōkiha was the grandfather of Charles Bennett, the radio announcer heard throughout the recordings selected for this exhibition.
This excerpt was taken from the recording 319775: Opening of Tūrongo House – Part Two, you can listen to the full item here.
Collection reference 319775
Year 1938
Kawa Ceremony Led by Tiaki Hira
This excerpt features the kawanga ceremony and karakia led by Waikato tohunga, Tiaki Hira, during the opening of Tūrongo House.
During the naming ceremony Tiaki Hira asks for the name of the house and for whom it was built.
These special karakia form the ceremonial opening of Tūrongo.
This excerpt was taken from the recording 319775: Opening of Tūrongo House – Part Two, you can listen to the full item here.
Collection reference 319775
Year 1938
Whaikōrero by a Ngāti Kahungunu Speaker
An unidentified speaker from Ngāti Kahungunu speaks at Tūrangawaewae Marae.
His whaikōrero links Tākitimu waka to Tainui waka and it is supported by the waiata tangi, E hika mā e, me mihi mai ra...
We need your help, if you know the voice of this kaumātua please contact us.
This excerpt was taken from the recording 319776: Opening of Tūrongo House – Part Three, you can listen to the full item here.
Collection reference 319776
Year 1938
Kawanga Led by a Te Arawa / Mātaatua Tohunga
An unidentified tohunga with links to Te Arawa and Mataatua performs kawanga and karakia to open Tūrongo House.
He begins with a tauparapara: Tihē mauri ora, tihē toa he toa, tihē taua he taua!
His whaikōrero is followed by the kawa: Toki uru, toki uru.
This excerpt was taken from the recording 319776: Opening of Tūrongo House – Part Three, you can listen to the full item here.
We need your help, if you know the voice of this kaumātua please contact us.
Collection reference 319776
Year 1938
Whaikōrero by a Te Arawa / Ngāti Tūwharetoa Speaker
An unidentified speaker with links to Te Arawa and Ngāti Tūwharetoa speaks at Tūrangawaewae Marae for the opening of Tūrongo House.
His whaikōrero gives the genealogical links between Te Arawa waka and Tainui waka, supported by the pātere: Poia atu, taku poi, wania atu taku poi.
This excerpt was taken from the recording 319776: Opening of Tūrongo House – Part Three, you can listen to the full item here.
Collection reference 319776
Year 1938
Sir Apirana Ngata Responds on Behalf of Te Tai Rāwhiti
Sir Apirana Ngata speaks on behalf of the people of Tākitimu and Horouta waka at Tūrangawaewae Marae for the opening of Tūrongo House.
He leads the haka Kura tīwaka taua and Ka mate, ka mate.
Ngata (standing at the far left in the image) ends by greeting radio station 2YA which was recording the hui.
This excerpt was taken from the recording 319776: Opening of Tūrongo House – Part Three, you can listen to the full item here.
Collection reference 319776
Year 1938
Whaikōrero by Te Kiri Katipa
Waikato kaumātua Te Kiri Katipa, speaks at the pōwhiri for the Governor-General Sir George Galway at Tūrangawaewae Marae for the opening of Tūrongo House and the Investiture of Princess Te Puea Hērangi.
His whaikōrero is translated by Tainui scholar, Pei Te Hurinui Jones.
This is followed by karanga. Commentator Charles Bennett describes the scene as the group moves onto Tūrangawaewae marae.
This excerpt was taken from the recording 319776: Opening of Tūrongo House – Part Three, you can listen to the full item here.
Collection reference 319776
Year 1938
Credits Translator: Pei Te Hurinui Jones; Commentator: Charles Bennet
Hemana Pōkiha Welcomes the Governor-General
Ngāti Pikiao leader Hemana Pōkiha welcomes Governor-General Sir George Galway, to Tūrangawaewae Marae for the opening of Tūrongo House and the investiture of Princess Te Puea Hērangi with the CBE.
His whaikōrero is translated into English by Pei Te Hurinui Jones.
This excerpt was taken from the recording 319776: Opening of Tūrongo House – Part Three, you can listen to the full item here.
Collection reference 319776
Year 1938
Credits Translator: Pei Te Hurinui Jones; Commentator: Charles Bennet
Kōrero by Rev Hēmi Huata
Reverend Hēmi Huata of Wairoa speaks at the pōwhiri for Governor-General Sir George Galway, to Tūrangawaewae Marae for the opening of Tūrongo House and the investiture of Princess Te Puea Hērangi with the CBE.
Sadly, the beginning of his speech is too far from the microphone and is not audible.
The whaikōrero is translated by Pei Te Hurinui Jones.
This excerpt was taken from the recording 319776: Opening of Tūrongo House – Part Three, you can listen to the full item here.
Collection reference 319776
Year 1938
Credits Translator: Pei Te Hurinui Jones; Commentator: Charles Bennet
Sir Apirana Ngata Welcomes Governor-General Galway
On behalf of all iwi gathered, Sir Apirana Ngata greets Governor-General Sir George Galway in English, at Tūrangawaewae Marae for the opening of Tūrongo House and the investiture of Princess Te Puea Hērangi with the CBE.
Ngata begins with a comment, in te reo, to Te Arawa performers to wait until after he finishes speaking!
In his speech Ngata reflects on the adjustments Māori have had to make and speaks about the support the Kīngitanga enjoys from different, but not all, iwi.
This excerpt was taken from the recording 319776: Opening of Tūrongo House – Part Three, you can listen to the full item here.
Collection reference 319776
Year 1938
Credits Commentator: Charles Bennet
Whaikōrero by Waimarama Pūhara
Kaumātua Waimarama Pūhara of Ngāti Whatuiāpiti, Ngāti Kahungunu and Ngāti Tūwharetoa adds to the layers of welcome to Governor-General Galway on Tūrangawaewae Marae for the opening of Tūrongo House and the investiture of Princess Te Puea Hērangi with the CBE.
Pūhara asks that his words of welcome are not translated into English.
At the end of his speech, announcer Charles Bennett comments on how skilfully Pūhara uses his taiaha and gestures to emphasise his kōrero, and how well this was received by the audience.
This excerpt was taken from the recording 319776: Opening of Tūrongo House – Part Three, you can listen to the full item here.
Collection reference 319776
Year 1938
Credits Translator: Pei Te Hurinui Jones; Commentator: Charles Bennet