Local iwi sign museum memorandum

AGREEMENT: Signatories Christine Baines (Ngati Manuhiri), Bryan Clark (MHS), Roi McCabe (Ngati Manuhiri), Christine Bygrave (MHS), Hazel Kaio (Te Uri o Hau), Herby Skipper (Ngai Tahuhu), Elaine Taylor (MHS), Reno Skipper (Ngai Tahuhu) and Helen Curreen (MHS). – PHOTO/Sandra Clark  

Members of the Mangawhai Historical Society met in early March with members of local iwi – Te Uri o Hau, Ngai Tahu and Ngati Manuhiri – to sign a Memorandum of Understanding. 

The document sets out a formal agreement whereby the Society will collaborate with Iwi in the presentation of stories and display of Maori taonga in the new Mangawhai Museum.

The meeting opened with a karakia and the singing in Maori of How Great Thou Art followed by a welcome in both Maori and English by Bryan Clark, MHS Secretary. Herby Skipper and Roi McCabe spoke about their ancestors and their story of Maori settlement in this area was very moving. 

Christine Bygrave, Helen Curreen, Peter Linnell and Ray Vaughan all spoke about the importance of this particular occasion to them personally and for the Society.