First Maori-Indian Hui a roaring success

The first Maori-Indian Hui a roaring success

The first Hui (gathering) of Maori Indians with the theme “Coming together, working together, growing together” was a real success. It was organised under the auspices of the Hindu Council of New Zealand.

More than 80 delegates, aged from 1 year to 79 years old, participated in the first Hui at the Tangatarua Marae, Waiariki Institute of Technology campus, Rotorua. It commenced with a powhiri (official Maori welcome) on Friday, 5 October and closed with poroporoaki’s (farewell speeches) on Sunday, 7 October 2012.

Its main purpose was to bring Maori-Indians together where they could meet one another, share stories, and learn and experience a little of their Hindu culture.

Participants thought it particularly fitting that the inaugural Hui should be held at a Marae whose name translates to “two peoples” and that the Marae’s carver, Lionel Grant, is himself of dual Maori-Indian heritage.

An organising committee comprising academics, project managers, lawyers, and business people of Indo-Maori descent was formed to help organise the event.

The Hui was attended by people who travelled from Auckland, Hamilton, Rotorua, Whakatane, Opotiki, Kawhia and Wellington. We also had a participant from Perth, Australia.

The Hui participants’ tribal affiliations include: Ngati Awa, Ngai Tuhoe, Whakatohea, Ngati Pukenga, Ngati Ruahine, Nga Puhi, Ngati Pikiao, Ngati Rangiwewehi, Ngati Whakaue, Ngati Te Roro o Te Rangi, Ngati Wairere, Ngati Tuwharetoa, Ngati Paoa, Ngati Raukawa, Ngati Maniapoto, Ngati Kahungunu, Rakaipaaka, Rongowhakaata, Ngati Porou, and Ngati Toa.

The programme was designed to include academic, cultural and social sessions. A number of interesting papers on various topics were presented by Dr Edwina Pio, Dr Rajiv Chaturvedi, Todd Nachowitz, Cherie Tuaupiki, and Dr Lorna Dyall during the academic session. Central to all of these was a Maori-Indian connection.

Then followed workshops devoted to the more social aspects of Hindu culture – vegetarian cooking, Rangoli (traditional Hindu decorative art), and Mehndi-Moko (temporary henna tattoo) where designs from both cultures were taught. Ladies also had an opportunity to learn saree wearing. All of the workshops were well received though Mehndi-Moko and saree wearing proved particularly popular.

The sessions concluded on the Sunday with two panel discussions – the first on “Inter-cultural Relationships” chaired by Teena Jaram and the other on “Growing up Indo-Maori” chaired by Raewyn Bhana. In these sessions, panellists shared their individual experiences on issues such as identity and acceptance. These sessions also proved very popular.

As a meat-free event, participants were treated to delicious vegetarian dishes prepared by Sakthivel and Vijaykumar. Both are chefs at the Holiday Inn Hotel, Rotorua and both volunteered their time and labour for the event. The dishes received many compliments. It was also a smoke and alcohol-free event.

The Hindu Council of New Zealand also announced the formation of the International Centre for Cultural Studies (ICCS Aotearoa) and the Aotearoa Bharat Friendship Society (ABFS). The Friends of India Society will be incorporated into ABFS.

The Hui is a step forward in Hindu-Maori whakawhanaungatanga (relations). While it has enabled Indo-Maori to now network with one another, the Hui has also generated a strong desire among participants to learn more about India and its culture and traditions.

The post-Hui feedback has been overwhelmingly positive and participants are already thinking about likely topics and workshops for next year’s Hui such as Indian mihi and whakapapa, language and religion, and the development of whakapapa connecting participants.

Rotorua will be the venue of the next Maori-Indian Hui to be held in October 2013. It will run alongside the Rotorua Deepawali Festival. The theme of the 2013 Rotorua Deepawali Festival will be Maori Indian Deepawali, and the coordination committee will include people of Indo-Maori descent.

The Hindu Council of New Zealand believes in the spirit of community well-being on the principle of “Vasudhaiv Kutumbakam” (World is One Family).

ENDS

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