OMEN
08-21-2006, 12:11 PM
http://stuff.co.nz/inl/common/imageViewer/0,1445,251973,00.jpg
RIVER QUEEN: The waka carrying Dame Te Ata's body nears Taupiri Mountain after travelling down the Waikato River.
Amid tears, celebration and tradition, Maori Queen Te Arikinui Dame Te Atairangikaahu was today farewelled on a scale rarely seen in New Zealand.
Tens of thousands crammed into Turangawaewae Marae in Ngaruawahia this morning for the final service to farewell the monarch and for the coronation of her successor, eldest son Tuheitia Paki.
Crowds then lined the banks of the Waikato River to see her coffin transported by waka 9km to Taupiri Mountain, where another large gathering saw her carried up the mountain to be buried.
They all saw a farewell fit for a hugely-respected and loved queen.
On a foggy morning, Dame Te Ata's coffin was closed before dawn after lying in state on the marae since Wednesday, during which time an estimated 100,000 visitors paid homage.
Tens of thousands were again packed into the marae for the service this morning, which was held mostly in fine weather. A select gathering watched the service in front of the meeting house but most had to make do with one of two giant screens on the marae grounds.
Mourners inside the marae were in good voice as hymns were sung on an occasion which was solemn and mournful but also extremely warm.
Those inside also appeared delighted when Tuheitia Paki walked onto the marae having been appointed the next king.
Some applauded, others said "good on you, you'll do us proud". There was a resounding "ae" ("yes") when Tuwharetoa paramount chief Tumu Te Heuheu asked the gathering if Mr Paki should be the next to take on the mantle of Te Arikinui.
After messages of condolence from the Pope, the British Royal Family and royals from the Pacific, and an interdenominational religious service, Dame Te Ata's coffin was removed from the marae at about 10.30am.
Crowds lined the route around the marae which the pallbearers took to the Waikato River, where her coffin was taken onto Tainui's biggest waka, Tumanako.
Tainui kaumatua (male elders) had the task of paddling her down the river to Taupiri Mountain - aided by someone bailing out water which the waka was taking on - and were accompanied by at least two other waka.
The waka received numerous tributes as it made its way - haka, waiata, car horn tooting, and at least one bagpipe.
Patient crowds then lined up to get on buses to Taupiri, all wanting to watch Dame Te Ata lifted off the waka and taken up the sacred mountain.
Tainui chairman Tuku Morgan had earlier told the gathering at Turangawaewae that "the mountain can't hold all of us" - one of many indications of how many people wanted to farewell Dame Te Ata.
Crowds watched from rail cars and the roads, but a solid gathering of Maori were on the mountain to salute Dame Te Ata. Ropes were needed to help her pall bearers to the top of the steep hill, where she was buried about 2pm.
Crowds finally began to file away from Taupiri Mountain about 2.30pm, though Dame Te Ata's close family and Tainui leaders remained at her burial site until at least 3.30pm.
Turangawaewae Marae began to finally quieten down by dusk, as Tainui and its leaders contemplated the end of a 40-year era in the King Movement, and the beginning of a new one.
Mitchell Rakatau, a Tainui Maori who now lives in Christchurch, said the sense of togetherness that Dame Te Ata's tangi had engendered "helps enhance the sense of us being Maori".
"There are people here who will remember this day and tell it to many generations in the future."
NZPA
RIVER QUEEN: The waka carrying Dame Te Ata's body nears Taupiri Mountain after travelling down the Waikato River.
Amid tears, celebration and tradition, Maori Queen Te Arikinui Dame Te Atairangikaahu was today farewelled on a scale rarely seen in New Zealand.
Tens of thousands crammed into Turangawaewae Marae in Ngaruawahia this morning for the final service to farewell the monarch and for the coronation of her successor, eldest son Tuheitia Paki.
Crowds then lined the banks of the Waikato River to see her coffin transported by waka 9km to Taupiri Mountain, where another large gathering saw her carried up the mountain to be buried.
They all saw a farewell fit for a hugely-respected and loved queen.
On a foggy morning, Dame Te Ata's coffin was closed before dawn after lying in state on the marae since Wednesday, during which time an estimated 100,000 visitors paid homage.
Tens of thousands were again packed into the marae for the service this morning, which was held mostly in fine weather. A select gathering watched the service in front of the meeting house but most had to make do with one of two giant screens on the marae grounds.
Mourners inside the marae were in good voice as hymns were sung on an occasion which was solemn and mournful but also extremely warm.
Those inside also appeared delighted when Tuheitia Paki walked onto the marae having been appointed the next king.
Some applauded, others said "good on you, you'll do us proud". There was a resounding "ae" ("yes") when Tuwharetoa paramount chief Tumu Te Heuheu asked the gathering if Mr Paki should be the next to take on the mantle of Te Arikinui.
After messages of condolence from the Pope, the British Royal Family and royals from the Pacific, and an interdenominational religious service, Dame Te Ata's coffin was removed from the marae at about 10.30am.
Crowds lined the route around the marae which the pallbearers took to the Waikato River, where her coffin was taken onto Tainui's biggest waka, Tumanako.
Tainui kaumatua (male elders) had the task of paddling her down the river to Taupiri Mountain - aided by someone bailing out water which the waka was taking on - and were accompanied by at least two other waka.
The waka received numerous tributes as it made its way - haka, waiata, car horn tooting, and at least one bagpipe.
Patient crowds then lined up to get on buses to Taupiri, all wanting to watch Dame Te Ata lifted off the waka and taken up the sacred mountain.
Tainui chairman Tuku Morgan had earlier told the gathering at Turangawaewae that "the mountain can't hold all of us" - one of many indications of how many people wanted to farewell Dame Te Ata.
Crowds watched from rail cars and the roads, but a solid gathering of Maori were on the mountain to salute Dame Te Ata. Ropes were needed to help her pall bearers to the top of the steep hill, where she was buried about 2pm.
Crowds finally began to file away from Taupiri Mountain about 2.30pm, though Dame Te Ata's close family and Tainui leaders remained at her burial site until at least 3.30pm.
Turangawaewae Marae began to finally quieten down by dusk, as Tainui and its leaders contemplated the end of a 40-year era in the King Movement, and the beginning of a new one.
Mitchell Rakatau, a Tainui Maori who now lives in Christchurch, said the sense of togetherness that Dame Te Ata's tangi had engendered "helps enhance the sense of us being Maori".
"There are people here who will remember this day and tell it to many generations in the future."
NZPA