Phil Cody sm
10 June 2011
The hui was held this year at Tauranga. It proved to be a celebration of the spiritual, cultural, social and physical well-being of Māori who just enjoy being together having fun and catching up with one another again.
People came from Whangarei to Wellington and Taranaki to Hawke’s Bay, to enjoy whanaungatanga (being family), whakapono (expressing faith) and aroha (love and goodwill) as they have done since the first Hui Aranga at Otaki in 1946.
Highlights in the liturgy were a mime on Good Friday where the local teenagers acted out the passion and death of Jesus with a little help from the commentator who, from time to time, had to repeat the instructions to make sure they got it right!
So the congregation witnessing it were caught up in a mixed set of emotions ranging from tears to laughter. After his dramatic fall, ‘Jesus’ was taken through a large black veil to the ‘tomb’. On Easter Sunday he emerged in glistening white.
Serious competitive performances of Māori action song and poi with words reflecting the central mystery of the Passover were balanced by activities like a talent quest with people dancing and applauding their young ones who delighted in being on stage.
The general conclusion was that the four-day hui was successful and refreshing, despite the late nights and the long journey home. Once again, an initiative begun by the early Marist missioners to combine the best of being Māori with the heart of the Faith, proved both life-giving and memorable.
The Hui Aranga which is held in a different place each year, is due to be held next year at Whangarei, hosted by the local Māori with the support of the local parish.