Te Akaururu’anga o Teaia Mataiapo Tutara o Muri

The Kopu Mataiapo of Teaia and guests gathered at Auroa marae to witness the bestowal of the ancient title of Teaia Mataiapo on Atatoa Herman on Thursday 30 July.
Rev Tutai Nooana from Ngatangiia officiated over the akatapu of Teaia Mataiapo as well as the two new Rangatira, Teputiki and Keu to confirm their positions before they performed their investiture duties.
Kaveariki Komono performed the investiture rituals including te akapare-‘anga with a crown of feathers, te kakati o te mimiti puaka, carried to her by Teputiki Rangatira and finally presenting Teaia with the traditional korare carried to her by Keu Rangatira.
The korare or staff is the emblem of Teaia passed down through the generations including the late Mama Maui, Papa Pitimani, Mama Tepaeru Aunoa, Papa Tiori and so forth.
Teaia proclaimed Kaveariki to be the Komono, meaning that Mama Pupu Lambert is now his deputy and the leading Rangatira of Teaia. He also welcomed his two new Rangatira: Teputiki (Airi Kainuku) and Keu (Tangi Toa, eldest son of John and Ella Toa).
To round off the ceremony, Tupe Short gave an account of the arrival of Ngati Teaia who came through the passage they named Karikao between Motu Oneroa and Motu Koromiri. There they found bubbling spring waters they called Te Puna Auruea also known as Te Puna o Teaia.
On the mainland, they found another spring they named Amama Atua, in praise of finding drinking water after their long voyage to their new homeland. Further inland, they created a marae called Auroa and another up the hill they named Arore.
Vaa tuatua, Papa Tearii Mave allowed Mauri Toa to deliver his patoi on behalf of the dissident Rangatira while the gathering listened politely. .
This was followed by a spirited rebuttal by Mama Rake Kainuku Browne who explained how the majority of the Kopu Mataiapo of seven clans had chosen the new tribal chief. She completed her speech by announcing that the family marae will be closed to anyone else now that a new Teaia Mataiapo has been invested.
Everyone congratulated Mama on her speech as they all happily enjoyed the umukai held under the flamboyant tree in front of the home of Sir Apenera and Lady Maui Short, courtesy of their daughter, Ana Walker and her husband.
Around 100 family and guests were there including Koutu Nui president, Te Tika Mataiapo who said she had worked very closely with Mama Maui and hoped this would continue with the new Teaia Mataiapo remarking that he is the Arataki and not the tavini.
Tauturu Orometua, Papa Joseph Kapu also praised Teaia and offered him the support of his whole clan, Ngati Rua and Ngati Tepaeru. In fact, all the Kopu Mataiapo are delighted with their new Teaia Mataiapo.
Kia manuia and Te Atua te Aroa.

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