Nga Ariki o Te Au-o-Tonga host Maori King

Makea Karika, Makea Vakatini and Makea Nui and the people of Te Au o Tonga gathered together to welcome the Maori King and his Vaka Tangata from Waikato-Tainui to a banquet umukai held at Taputapuatea on Wednesday afternoon.
As Te Arikinui Kingi Tuheitia and his gracious wife, Atawhai entered the grounds of Taputapuatea, they were presented with ei tiare by a welcoming committee of Ngati Makea ladies before being greeted with a customary challenge from Potikitaua, the traditional speaker of Makea Nui. Anautoa Rangatira and Isaaka Rangatira, the traditional speakers for Karika and Vakatini, respectively were also at hand.
The Maori King and his gracious wife, Atawhai were surrounded by their entire retinue of Kaumatua and Kuia and members of the Kapa Haka group who have accompanied them on this their first visit ever to the Cook Islands.
The Maori King and his family and their closest Kaumatua and Kuia were seated on the verandah of the palace together with their hosts, Makea Karika and Makea Vakatini as well as reps from the 4 lines of Makea Nui: Rangi Makea (Mere Tinirau-Macquarie), Mere (Paloma Tinirau-Keil), Aunty Dolly Baker (Upokotaua) and Maria Matua (Sadaraka).
During the umukai, various speeches of welcome were made by reps of the hosts and replies by official speakers on behalf of the Maori King, followed by a performance by the girls in the Kapa Haka group as they twirled their poi for the audience.
There was also an exchange of gifts for the King and his wife from the three Ariki who were joined at the occasion by Te Maeu o te Rangi from the island of Mitiaro.
Originally not on the official schedule, Nga Ariki of Te Au o Tonga asked for the opportunity to show their hospitality for their fellow Arikinui in New Zealand who was invited to come by the Cook Islands government.
In any event, the official visit by the Maori King and his Vaka Tangata has attracted a lot of media attention both locally as well as in New Zealand with reporters from Maori Television, TVNZ One News and Radio New Zealand International taking a keen interest in proceedings.