A Maori Club in London

In 1961, when the film The Castaways was made, all the Maoris that could be found in London were asked to be ‘extras’. Once they had all met up they decided that they would like to keep contact with each other and so a Maori Club was formed in London. Today, six years later, the club is still active and besides being a social meeting point the Aotearoa Maori Club gives many performances—under the strict control of the leader, Sam Karetu. There are still two original members in the group: Margaret Smith of Kaikohe and Luie Tawhai (now Mrs Thyne) of Rotorua. Of course members come and go as New Zealanders make a trip overseas and return home again; some of the members now back in New Zealand are Winnie Waapu (now Mrs Salmon) of Hastings, Cini Boynton of Waimana (now Mrs Hapi living in Gisborne), Marie Morehu of Taupo, Agnes and John Manunui of Wellington, and Aroha North (now Mrs Fitzpatrick) a Pakeha from Te Whaiti.

Present members are Sam Karetu of Hastings; Tom Russell of Hastings; Lindsay Hounsell, a Pakeha from Auckland who was previously with Arapeta Awatere's Maranga Club: Freer Crawford, a Pakeha guitarist from Rotorua; Hemi Wiremu from Kaitaia; Phyllis Komene from New Plymouth; Gwen Clarke (now Mrs le Marquand) from Hastings; Rena Tawhai (Mrs Pohe) from Kaitaia; and the original members Margaret Smith and Luie Tawhai.

The club gives concerts, provides the cabaret at balls, has appeared on television and has been invited to appear at the end of this year at the official farewell in London to Sir Arthur Porritt, Governor General-designate of New Zealand. Club members practise hard for their concerts: members meet most Tuesdays at Sam Karetu's flat in Chelsea in London, where they rehearse and gossip and drink innumerable cups of tea!

The photograph was taken at one of the latest appearances of the Maori Club. Garth Clarke, a New Zealander who was a finals student at the London School of Television

STANDING: From left, Sam Karetu, Lindsay Hounsell, Hemi Wiremu, Tom Russell, Freer Crawford. Gavin Clark and Barbara Ewing. KNELING: Margaret Smith, Marie Morehu, Luie Tawhai and Phyllis Komene.
photograph by G. T. Adams

earlier this year, directed a private TV programme Songs of the Maori. The programme was shared by the Aotearoa Maori Club and Barbara Ewing and the protograph was taken as final instructions were being given before the programme was taped.

Any Maoris (or interested Pakehas) coming to England will be gladly welcomed in the club if they are competent and keen—but please bring piupius.

Barbara Ewing.

Whatumanu Maori Culture Club

On 3 May, a new Maori club was formed at the Hastings factory of Unilever N.Z. Ltd. Membership is open to all employees of Unilever and their families.

At the opening, about 100 people were welcomed by the club's chairman Mr John Meha, and the club was formally declared open by Mr John Bennett, chairman of the Heretaunga Maori Executive. Mrs D. Grainer, wife of Unilever's Technical Director, spoke on behalf of the company in her husband's absence, and Mr Taanga Tomoana, when speaking of Maori traditions, stressed the importance of preserving Maoritanga.

Action songs, kit making, taniko work, tukutuku and carving were demonstrated, and the enthusiastic committee intends that all these activities will be taught to club members.

An interesting display included kits, baskets, mats, weaving, piupiu, taniko, tukutuku panels, tekoteko, weapons, and feathered cloaks and kits.

Mr T. J. Collingwood sends us this report of the club's progress:—

‘Since its inception the club has progressed favourably, with meetings held every Wednesday night. On the first Wednesday in every month we have a guest speaker or demonstrator, followed by the club's ‘Manuao Action Group’ practice. So far we have successfully held classes in kit-making, taniko work, poi making, rourou making, and we are currently in the process of making piu pius. We have been greatly assisted by Maori elders and artists who have given of their time to assist the club in its cultural activiies.

‘The membership, excluding school children,

is 63, and the club is in a strong financial position. One of the strongest groups is the carving class, in which up to 20 men under the tuition of Mr Riki Smith are learning the art of carving.

‘A donation of $20 was recently given to Robin Kora of Te Aute College who gained an American Field Scholarship.

‘The club is currently planning to invite senior Maori school leavers from six of the local colleges and high schools to attend a special function at Unilever factory, where they will hear talks including a talk from Mr W. Herewini of the Maori Affairs Department, who will speak on ‘Maori in Modern Society’. This will be followed by an evening meal, and a discussion panel, and it is hoped that the children will join with the club members in their normal club night.

‘A further project in which we are currently engaged is in the preparation of food parcels for Maori troops in South Vietnam. Using facilities at the factory it is proposed to prepare Karengo, and the Heretaunga Maori Executive have promised us support in our endeavours.

‘We have recently adopted the Karamu High School Maori Club, and we regularly supply speakers at lunch times to speak on topics suitable to the club. This has been greatly appreciated by the school, the club and the pupils.

‘Our club has received every support from the Maori and Pakeha community and in particular the employees of Unilever New Zealand Limited.’

Arai Te Uru, Dunedin

This club is ten years old this year, and to commemorate this milestone, members are holding a Ball in November.

The Ball will be held in Dunedin on Friday, 24 November, 1967, and dress will be formal. Saturday will be a free day and Sunday will take the form of a Church Service at the Maori Church at Otakou, combined with a picnic day for the children. The members of this club would be only too pleased to billet visitors from other parts of New Zealand. For further details contact the secretary, Mrs Nancye Morris, at 18 Ellesmere Street, Ravensbourne. Dunedin.