Ngai Tahu welcomes HRH at Invercargill

Media statement – 10 May, 2015

Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu

Today a delegation from Ngāi Tahu welcomed HRH Prince Harry at Invercargill Airport.

Tā Mark Solomon, Te Rūnanga o Ngai Tahu Kaiwhakahaere and Tā Tipene O’Regan, Upoko (traditional leader) Awarua Rūnanga and representatives of Waihopai Rūnanga greeted the Prince who is making his first visit to Murihiku (Southland) before heading to Rakiura (Stewart Island).

“It was an immense privilege to welcome His Royal Highness to Murihiku. We have been host to his grandfather, the Duke of Edinburgh and his father Prince Charles – so it is pleasing to be able to welcome the young Prince,” says Tā Tipene.

“He is the great grandson of Queen Victoria, the woman with whom we entered in to the Treaty of Waitangi – a treaty that was signed very near here on Ruapuke Island. Prince Harry is a symbol of that relationship and a symbol of values that we cherish. These things are important to remember, we need to understand them and keep them alive.”

A group from the local Ngāi Tahu community supported Tā Mark and Tā Tipene in the welcome ceremony. Tā Mark Solomon presented Prince Harry with a small gift of cuff links and a tie pin made of pounamu. Ranui Ngarimu, a tribal elder, also presented Prince Harry with a kakahu (cloak) woven by Ngāi Tahu weavers as a gift on behalf of the tribe.

ENDS

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