The King was rather pleased with how the others had jumped at his attempt of forming some kind of cultural link, but then the mention of the CMA had come. "With respect we've seen the CTO fail, your nation have even got out, while I like the idea of Youth Games and the like mimicking organisations that are not fit for purpose isn't something I support. I know you and East Moreland support them and that is your prerogative but frankly we won't be joining such matters."
"There will be time to all chat about politics and the like later" Queen Maata explained as she called Kimo over and made him sit and have a drink. The boy would run around all day given half a chance but even forget to eat and drink, the Queen was enjoying her son telling her all about the fun of the games he'd been having. "Remember to play nice" she kissed him on the forehead and let him return to the game. It was getting close to the time that the guests would need to leave for their various Iwi's that were offering them hospitality.
The first of the chiefs to make their way over was Kauri Timoti of the Ngāti Kahungunu, the 16 year old had finished organising the games and was about to head back to his people. "Gentleman" he addressed Kurt and Julian, "If you'd like to follow me, we've a short journey. Thankfully his majesty has provided a helicopter." The young chief lead them back up to the lawn where a military helicopter with a rear ramp was waiting, several soldiers who'd been in the parade where already waiting inside strapped in and began to undo their straps to stand as their Iwi's new chief approached. "Please stay in your seats." he smiled, "It's a day to celebrate and forget formalities, well we have one left" he smiled as he showed the two to their seats before taking his own, an Air Force loadmaster checked each of them before the helicopter took off. It followed the line of the coast, the Ngāti Kahungunu's home Rūnanga
[1] was a little village that sat on an island formed by a river delta. The helicopter touched down and the soldiers began exiting two of them helping Julian and Kurt unstrap. "Please join us"" Kauri motioned for them to follow, a large crowd was already joining them from the houses, sounds of singing as they greeted the soldiers with garlands and hugs, a group of children ran up to the guests and began throwing garlands at them before skipping off. "We'll do the ceremony in an hour or so if you wish, otherwise we can just enjoy the Iwi being together. Do you have any questions?"
Meanwhile back at the Palace Tipene Tama the chief of the Ngāti Rongomaiwahine Iwi approached, he was dressed in a smart black naval uniform bearing the rank of Lieutenant-commander. He snapped a smart salute. "Your Majesty its time for me to take King David and Princess Rhiannon to our Rūnanga" he waited for his King to give him permission before escorting the two Morelanders up to a waiting boat. "Your Majesty, Your Highness" he addressed each as a smartly dressed crew held the pair aboard. "We're just a few miles down the coast, a nice little beach front village, sadly a major hotel chain is setting up just down the coast but we'll get there" the guests sat down the driver of the motorboat gunned the engine and they set off. "Look" Tipene pointed out to sea as he sat next to Rhiannon, "Dolphins.....they bring good luck if they follow the boats" as though responding to his request the animals turned and began porpoising a few meters away from the boat, the salty splash just about reaching the boat. They stuck with them for a few minutes before turning to head towards the beach, a series of camp fires was already being lit a clear sign that the festivities would go on long into the night. "Can I just check your happy to take part in the ceremony?" the chief asked the King as members of the village helped them ashore.
"Ambassador" a tall greying man with a face full of tattoos approached O'Leannachain. "My names Petera Rangi, Chief of the Te Whakatohea Iwi" he extended a hand, "Ironically my name is a Maori version of one of your saints, he doesn't have much of a following here." He had lead them outside to where their own helicopter waited. "I'm a bit of a scholar on religion but truth be told Christianity is one I've never read much on, it would seem we'll have a chance to learn from each other." Several soldiers waited for them and once ensuring they were secure took their own. They flew for about half an hour before to the passengers seemingly descending into the woods below. "Our Iwi grew out of the forests, the glade here is our home." The helicopter touched down in a large glade about the size of four football pitches and the passengers got out. In the trees stood various cabins and lodges and about 200 meters into the woods was a large man made bowl in which the tribes administration centre sat. They walked through the woods to find the village already out celebrating and a gathering of elders beginning to form around a campfire. "please come join us, and take a seat" he waited for the Ambassador to be seated on a large log that had been carved into a kind of sofa style seat. "So is there anything you'd like to know about our invitation?"
A young girl dressed in traditional attire approached, "Hello." she addressed Declan and his party. "My names Maata Mere, chief of the Ngāti Paoa. The 20 year old extended a hand and with deceptive strength helped Declan to his feet before pressing her nose to his and exhaling harshly in the traditional Maori greeting. "If you'd follow me" as she walked up the stairs the long skirt showed glimpses of bare feet as she climbed. Once outside there was a small
Catamaran waiting. The rest of the Iwi who had been attending at the Palace had already got on board with many enjoying the sensation of relaxing on the boats large front net. "Please relax, it'll be around two hours until we get to our home region. Hopefully we'll see some whales or something" Maata went and changed, the traditional gear was discarded and the young chieftan reappeared wearing an Iwi rugby shirt and shorts. "Can I interest anyone in a beer, glass of wine maybe" she carried a bucket full of water with mini bottles in and cans of beer. The journey was rather a dull one in a way, no whales, no dolphins but at least the sea was flat which meant they made steady progress. "I must warn you, our Iwi are people of the sea, this may be slightly different to what the others experienced." as they rounded a headland a bay opened up to reveal many
homes stood on stilts a chorus of music could be heard and a whole fleet of boats was floating in the crescent the homes made, each lashed to the one next to them making a giant floating raft. People where diving and splashing about in the clear sea while the smell of fish being grilled on an open fire filled the air. "Welcome to our Iwi" Maata smiled as she leapt from the boat onto a smaller one and motioned for the others to follow as her crew lashed their boat to the others. "If you wish we have more casual attire you can borrow, wetsuits even, if you want anything let us know. Any questions about the adoption process."
