..
Promoted as the world’s first Taniwha and
Dragon Festival, a celebration of the
bonds between Maori and Chinese people took place on Saturday 27 April 2013.
Auckland's Chinese community were formally
welcomed with a pòwhiri on to Òràkei Marae by Ngàti Whàtua warriors and whànau,
and accompanied by a a dancing Chinese dragon.
"From our ancestors who left Asia
millennia ago to settle the vast Pacific Ocean, to our Chinese friends and
family who have worked, settled and raised families across Aotearoa over the
past two centuries - our eternal ties to Asia can be found in our language,
cultures and peoples," said Hon Pita Sharples.(centre top)
A slightly unusual experience for me being
neither Chinese nor Maori. The linkages with Asian culture can be found here Maori in the "origins" section there is an interesting map illustrating
the migration of Pacific Peoples from Asia.
(Taniwha)
