Change of Organisation

Four years ago the representatives of various teams got together, and, under the lead of some of the more successful teams, decided to put the management of the Competitions under a Central Committee composed of delegates from each performing team. This move was greeted with some misgivings at the start but it has proved very successful. The winning team in gaining the highest number of points, now receives nothing more than the mana which accompanies the Kariatiana Tamararo Shield. But every team, whatever its standard, receives a mileage allowance of 2/- a mile, toward the expense of running buses. With the district now spreading from Waiapu in the North to Maungahaumi in the West and to Wairoa in the South, hiring buses can be an extremely heavy burden. A mileage cheque for £30 to £40 can make all the difference between a team's being able to compete and its having, reluctantly to decide to stay at home.

The quickness of the hand deceives the camera: the Mangatu Juniors performing at Gisborne this year

This year, for the first time, new teams were able to hire piu-pius from the Central Committee at the rate of 1/- a piu-piu for Seniors, sixpence for Juniors and threepence for Primaries. This is opening the door to many young teams who have so far been unable to raise funds to buy their own and have been diffident about borrowing them. The Central Committee were fortunate in getting a pound-for-pound subsidy from the Maori Purposes Fund Board for the purchase of their piu-pius.

Held On Their Own

The Competitions differ from others of their kind only in the fact that they are held in their own right. They are not an associate part of a hui or church gathering, but are held purely for the purpose of keeping alive this aspect of Maori Culture in the area.

There are no paid officers; everyone who works does so in a voluntary capacity. The Central Committee does not undertake billeting but a meal is provided for distant teams on arrival and there is a supper for teams and supporters at Poho-o-Rawiri Marae after the concert on the final night. All expenses are borne by the Committee.

High Standard Maintained

There is seldom much left in its bank account after the expenses and mileage grants are paid, but everyone concerned has had the satisfaction of seeing a high standard of haka competition being maintained for yet another year. The East Coast districts have a very wide reputation for this class of Maori Culture and it is undoubtedly true that the incentive offered by these Annual Maori Competitions has played a part in keeping interest so much alive in the wide district from which the competing teams come.