Maoris honoured at Senedd
The New Zealand Maoris have been recognised as ‘honorary Celts’ in the run-up to the big Wales v All Blacks autumn international.
Members of the Gorsedd bardic circle of the National Eisteddfod of Wales made a special presentation to representatives of the Maori nation at the Senedd in Cardiff Bay on Thursday (October 22)
Renowned Welsh sculptor David Petersen created a special stainless steel Horn of Plenty to mark the occasion.
The horn was inscribed – ‘A gift to the Maori nation’.
It was presented to a member of the Ngāti Rānana London Māori Club, Esther Jessop, the 2009 Air NZ New Zealander of the Year.
The Gorsedd was represented by poet T James Jones, a winner of the chair and crown, and musician Alun Guy.
The presentation was part of the build-up to the massive CeltFest at the Cardiff International Arena on November 7.
CeltFest will feature a line-up including Max Boyce, Rhydian Roberts and rugby star Shane Williams.
CeltFest will be showing the Wales v New Zealand game on a giant screen. Tickets cost £25. To book, call 029 2022 4488 or visit www.celtfest.com
Mrs Jessop was accompanied by Maori brothers Puruhi Simpson and Hone Simpson, who performed the ‘Tika Tonu’ haka.
The haka was written for Prince Charles, the Prince of Wales, on his visit to New Zealand as a teenager.
Mrs Jessop said she was pleased to see an event such as CeltFest. “It is important that we all work hard to protect and nurture our native languages and cultures. We as Maori people recognise the work that goes on in Wales to celebrate the culture and language of Wales and Celtic heritage as a whole.”
Picture: David Petersen presents his horn of plenty to the Maori visitors.
Press release issued by Robert Lloyd on behalf of CeltFest.
Link to Welsh Icons website
More pictures -
Link to picture album
Link to video of haka
Members of the Gorsedd bardic circle of the National Eisteddfod of Wales made a special presentation to representatives of the Maori nation at the Senedd in Cardiff Bay on Thursday (October 22)
Renowned Welsh sculptor David Petersen created a special stainless steel Horn of Plenty to mark the occasion.
The horn was inscribed – ‘A gift to the Maori nation’.
It was presented to a member of the Ngāti Rānana London Māori Club, Esther Jessop, the 2009 Air NZ New Zealander of the Year.
The Gorsedd was represented by poet T James Jones, a winner of the chair and crown, and musician Alun Guy.
The presentation was part of the build-up to the massive CeltFest at the Cardiff International Arena on November 7.
CeltFest will feature a line-up including Max Boyce, Rhydian Roberts and rugby star Shane Williams.
CeltFest will be showing the Wales v New Zealand game on a giant screen. Tickets cost £25. To book, call 029 2022 4488 or visit www.celtfest.com
Mrs Jessop was accompanied by Maori brothers Puruhi Simpson and Hone Simpson, who performed the ‘Tika Tonu’ haka.
The haka was written for Prince Charles, the Prince of Wales, on his visit to New Zealand as a teenager.
Mrs Jessop said she was pleased to see an event such as CeltFest. “It is important that we all work hard to protect and nurture our native languages and cultures. We as Maori people recognise the work that goes on in Wales to celebrate the culture and language of Wales and Celtic heritage as a whole.”
Picture: David Petersen presents his horn of plenty to the Maori visitors.
Press release issued by Robert Lloyd on behalf of CeltFest.
Link to Welsh Icons website
More pictures -
Link to picture album
Link to video of haka
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