Hongi's Hikoi

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Hongi's Hikoi

1 July 2022

Celebrating Hongi's Hikoi at the Chau Chak Wing Museum and beyond

The Museum's Curator of Ethnography, Rebecca Conway, recaps the commemorative event, 'Hongi's Hikoi'.听

Hikoi, is a M膩ori word for a long journey or march. After many setbacks, due to not one but two COVID lockdown-related cancellations in 2020 and 2021, on Saturday 18 June 2022, the Chau Chak Wing Museum was proud to finally play host to . The event was听the first in a series of long-anticipated bicentennial commemorative and educational initiative launches, presented by Brent Kerehona of .听

A descendent of the famed M膩ori Ng膩puhi chief Hongi Hika (1772鈥�1828), the events are a culmination of Kerehona's research surrounding Hongi's 1820鈥�21 journey to England, with a young chief Waikato and the missionary Thomas Kendall. Part of his investigations have involved researching M膩ori taonga (treasured possessions) related to Hongi and his travels, including one of three known carved portraits of Hongi on display at the Museum.听

Commencing with an Aboriginal Wuyugil (Smoking/Cleansing Ceremony), the full-house event was attended by many dignitaries and drew on the expertise of many in the Sydney-M膩ori community.听

The extensive program included a Whakatau (opening ceremony), Karanga (welcoming call), Waerea (incantations and recitation of genealogy), Karakia (prayer), 奥丑补颈办艒谤别谤辞 (formal speech in Te Reo M膩ori and English), and Kapahaka cultural performances and singing.听

Kaupapa (presentations) from Brent included:

two illustrated lectures
- 听Hongi's Haerenga 鈥� focusing on Hongi Hika's trip to Poih膩kena/Port Jackson (Sydney) in 1814 and the comparison of three carved portraits attributed to this visit, including the one at the Chau Chak Wing Museum
- Hongi's K膩kakahu: Rangatira to Royalty 鈥� focusing on the meeting between King George IV and Hongi Hika at Carlton House, England on November 13 1820, and the practice and products of the tuku or reciprocal gifting that took place at this time;听
a short film showing Hongi's H墨koi: A Trio of Travellers
the launch of the related educational children's books in English and Te Reo M膩ori.听

Hongi's Hikoi moves on to Aotearoa (New Zealand) in July, with Brent Kerehona presenting on Saturday 9 July at the , Te Ika-a-M膩ui (North Island) and introducing his historical children's books at several local schools.听

Browse photographs from Hongi's Hikoi at the Museum

Brent鈥檚 wife, Delise Kerehona and his mother at the Wuyugil (Smoking/Cleansing Ceremony) conducted by Gamilaraay Wiradjuri, Dr John Hunter. Photo: 漏Kris Kerehona

Barbara Pugh, Te Wh膩nau-a-Apanui, performed the Karanga (welcoming call) and Hamiora 鈥楽am鈥� Rerekura, Ng膩puhi, the Waerea (incantations and recitation of genealogy), leading the participants from the Smoking Ceremony into the Chau Chak Wing Museum. Photo: 漏Kris Kerehon

The bust of Hongi Hika was on display to witness the presentations in his honour. The bust has since returned to the Museum's exhibition 'Object/Art/Specimen' which showcases the diversity of the Museum's collections and demonstrates their ongoing relevance in an interdisciplinary world. Photo: 漏Kris Kerehona

Brent Kerehona presents to a full house in the Nelson Meers Foundation Auditorium, Chau Chak Wing Museum. Photo: 漏Kris Kerehona

Brent Kerehona's presentations included discussion and demonstrations of taonga, including muskets, swords, clothing, and other gifts exchanged between Hongi Hika and King George IV in 1820. Photo: 漏Kris Kerehona

The event included series of Kapahaka performances by members of Te Hoe Ki M膩tangireia, a traditional M膩ori Performing Arts group based in Sydney. Photo: 漏Kris Kerehona

Archdeacon Kaio Malcolm Karipa, Ngai Takoto, and Brent Kerehona, hongi as part of the whakamutunga (event conclusions). Photo: 漏Kris Kerehona

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