Whanau History
GEORGE NGAPUKAPUKA AND HARRIET HARIATA KEREAMA
Foreword
It has been said that the mind is an incredibly amazing thing, it does not know the difference between fact and fiction, so what you feed your mind is what it believes ... the following facts, and possibly fiction, is what I believe about two wonderful people ... my dear Parents.
George Whatanui [Watty] Kereama .. April 2004
The Childhood of Ngapukapuka
1. Ngapukapuka was the first son of Kereama Te Ngako and Waitauhi Emery. He was born at Tarehu [near Mangahou Power Station - midway between Shannon and Levin] on 20 March 1912.
2. Four years later Kereama, Waitauhi and their whanau moved to Bulls where Kereama was employed by the Bulls Dairy factory to drive a two horse team and cart to uplift the cream cans along the Scotts Ferry-Bulls route
3. In 1918 at age six Dad started school at Kakariki. He remembered his teacher Mr Barem as a good teacher of reading, writing and arithmetic. At school learning was fun and the games played were also a very special part of the learning process. In 1919 when his parents moved to Tokorangi Dad transferred to the Tokorangi School.
4. Dad developed a very distinctive neat firm flowing hand writing style and he did well at arithmetic which was probably an early indication of his character development and future potential.
5. From 1921 to 1926 Dad lived with Tamiaho and Marama Searancke. Dad said that his Mother was happy with this arrangement as Tamiaho was a Herangi and came from the Waikato where she came from. Dad added that the times were very harsh and that his Mother and Father were struggling bringing up their ever increasing family. According to Dad, Tamiaho and Marama were well off financially in comparison to his own parents. Tamiaho and Marama had their own sizeable family and Dad was very grateful that they treated him as one of their own.
6. Dad remembered his own parents as caring honest hard workers who put in long hours to provide for the needs of their family. Money was hard to come by and it seems that his Mother controlled the Kereama household finances. They always had a large bountiful vegetable garden. Flower gardens were never a priority. Where ever they lived they inherited or developed an orchard which contained apple, pear, fig, quince and peach trees. They used to barter surplus produce such as watermelons, pumpkins, kumara, bottled pickles, jams and fruit to get essential supplies or equipment.
7. Dad said that his Mother was a good economical cook. She cooked her rewena bread in a cast iron umu over embers in a fireplace outdoors. She also made fried bread and scones but she was not so good at cakes.
8. Their awa, the Rangitikei, with its contributory streams, and swamplands were sacred for all who lived in the area. As children, Dad, along with his brothers and sisters learnt the skills required to gather the variety of foods that would be in abundance during some seasons and years and yet at other times supplies would be sparse and sometimes nonexistent. They all learnt to dive into, swim in and enjoy their awa.
9. By his childhood experiences it seems that Dad's real education came from all that surrounded him, his tipuna who preceded him, the people who influenced him, especially his parents, and the teachings of the Church which established the tikanga and values by which he was expected to live. Dad willingly accepted the challenges presented and throughout life did his best to uphold, add to, and pass on those values and standards.
The Childhood of Hariata
10. Hariata was the sixth child of Poutu and Ruhia McGregor who lived at Koputaroa near Levin. She was born on 28 February 1914 (We used to joke that she was the cause of the First World War) We always knew her name to be Hariata Harriet MCGregor.
11. Her baptismal certificate (Rangiatea Anglican Maori Pastorate entry 2130) which was located amongst Dad's papers after he passed away in 2004 records her:
a. Birth date as 28 April 1914.
b. Christian names as HARIATA TUPOTAHI; and her
c. God-Parents' are listed as Tahurangi Maraenui, Hokepera Maraenui (See para 16) and Ngataua Hare Reweti
12. Poutu was a labourer working at cutting flax, or on roads or picking potatoes. Even though they never seemed to have any spare money they got by because of the plentifully food stocked creeks, swamps and the nearby beaches. Ruhia (We knew her as Nanny Lucy) was an excellent cook and she baked a superb batch of scones. Ruhia cooked over an open fire.
13. Mum recalled that her paternal Grandfather Hokowhitu and her maternal Grandmother Riria [Who were brother and sister. This made Mum's parents first cousins] used to come live with them from time to time. Hokowhitu and Riria were very resourceful and they handed on many of their life skills to their mokopuna by the example they set. Riria was close to her sons and daughters because she raised them on her own for many years after her husband Nicolo Sciascia was gored to death in 1898 by his own pet bull.
14. Times may have been tough when Mum was born but it got tougher for Ruhia and the children when Poutu joined his brother [Moses] and two of their cousins [Thomas McDonald and Tutepourangi McDonald] to go on their big OEs as members of the 3rd Maori Contingent which left NZ 5 February 1916 to join the Maori Pioneer Battalion in Europe.
15. Poutu was a victim of the notorious gas warfare. Poisonous gas would be released when the wind blew in the direction of the opponents lines. The problem was that no one controlled the wind. The released gas just went whereever the wind flowed and swirled. The deadly gas did not discriminate between friend or foe, it just killed or incapacitated whoever it enveloped. Poutu was not a well man when he returned to New Zealand and it took him a long time to recuperate.
16. As a young girl Mum was adopted by Tahurangi Te Whiwhi Maraenui Tapine and Hokepera. [Hokepera was Hariata's aunty as Hokepera was a first cousin of Hariata's father Poutu. Hokepera's mother Matehaere was a sister of Hera. Hera was the wife of Hokowhitu. Hokowhitu and Hera were Poutu's parents] Te Whiwhi and Hokepera had a large family of their own [Pirihira,Tom,Tahurangi, and Hue] Kuia Maori and Pikau Anderson were also raised by Te Whiwhi and Hokopera.
17. Mum told us that Te Whiwhi [we knew him as Koro Flicker] and Hokepera were well off in comparison to many families in the Tokorangi area especially the Kereama whanau. Te Whiwhi became the first Ratana Apotoro in the Tokorangi area [when he stepped down he handed his apotoro regalia to Kereama]
18. Mum went to the Tokorangi School where she learnt the social and basic arithmetic skills that would carry her through life. She had a very good memory and was bilingual.
Marriage and the next 64 years
19. Ngapukapuka and Hariata got to know each other at school. Hariata grew to appreciate "Books". After they left school when Ngapukapuka was 16 years of age he used to visit Maraenui and Hokepera and surprise, surprise, he would take the petite cute 14 year-old Hariata for a walk. When relating this charming little story Dad assured us that, "We never played around." Not sure why Dad went out of his way emphasise this because we still believe in Santa Clause and the Easter Bunny.
20. Te Whiwhi Maraenui Tapine as the Ratana Apotoro presided over the marriage of Hariata and Ngapukapuka on 3 February 1929. Dad related how Marama and Tamiaho Searancke took them back to their home and gave up their bedroom for the couple on their honeymoon. Mum and Dad lived with Tamiaho and Marama for a number of years which may have been a good thing according to Dad because Mum was not a very good cook. [Not too sure that many 14 year olds are champion cooks]. Dad did concede that Mum eventually became an excellent cook.
21. Mum and Dad's [M&D] first child [1/C] Polly Parekahakaha was born in 1930. She died of an illness when she still a baby. M&D were devastated.
22. The next two children [2/C] Peti Betty (27/6/32) and [3/C] Makuini (19/6/34) according to Mum, "Were very good little quiet girls" During one Christmas she recalled how Betty and Mak opened their presents which they obviously loved. They played quietly with their toys. The kids from down the road came in and were in hypo mode running about, blowing whistles, firing pop guns, making a real racket and generally having a ball but Betty and Mak quietly watched.
23. M&D occupied their first own home [a rented house] in Halcome in 1935.
24. M&D's first son [4/C] Willlyboy Rangiita was born in 1936. He died when he was still a young child. M&D had to go through the grieving process again. Mum was particularly depressed.
25. Samuel Hamuera [5/C] arrived next on 8/6/38. M&D were thrilled with their dear son. Uncle Heta and Aunty Nancy came to visit M&D. There was a race meeting in Marton and Aunty Nancy offered to baby sit while M&D went to the races. When M&D got home Hamuera had been baby-napped by Aunty Nancy and Uncle Heta who had returned to Taihape. To M&D who had no independent means of transport in those days Taihape was inaccessible. M&D's day at the races returned to haunt them 12 years later when Sam returned to live with them some time after Uncle Heta died because Sam used to stand at the front gate when ever they were heading off to the races and he would sing to them a popular tune of that time, "Don't spend your dough at the races...etc." Mum came to resent Sam's performance as it always heralded a day when the horses she backed fell over or dropped their jockeys or went lame or did everything possible not to come in above 4th place.
26. Dad's Mother Waitauhi died in 1938. M&D took in Dad's younger brothers Kelly, Norman, Mick, Matthew and Emery. Phew, instant big family. These brothers moved between the homes of their elder brothers, sisters and cousins but in the main they stayed with M&D.
27. M&D's next child was a girl [6/C] and appropriately enough was named Waitauhi (29/11/39). Like Mum she may have started a World War. Along came Aunty Lydia and Uncle Bill. They did not have any children. They thought that Wai was such a beautiful girl with her big dimples and fair complexion like her elder sister Betty. Aunty Lydia and Uncle Bill pleaded with M&D for Wai Sharia. So off she went to the big smoke.
28. Francis Miiria Putiputi (15/5/41) was 7/C. She was dark and sultry like her sister Makuini. She was 5 years old when she was adopted by Tangiariki Downs. She spent the rest of her primary school years in the Lake Rotoaira area. After Tangiariki passed away Puti remained with Tangiariki's daughter and son-in-law, Rato and Ross Konui. She went to Hukarere Maori Girls' College for her secondary school education.
29. In 1942 M&D moved to Tokorangi and lived in the bottom house which was down the slope about 10 metres from the top house at Harurunui. Aunty Kaa and Uncle Dave and their family lived in the top house. Koro Kereama lived with Kaa and Dave. These homes were surrounded by beautiful gardens and orchards. Aunty Kaa worked long hours in her flower gardens which were superb.
30. Whanau gatherings at Harurunui were wonderful occasions especially during Christmas. A number of tarpaulins would be strung out under the beautiful trees and garden area to form our dining area where the tables would be set up so that the whanau [up to 50] and friends [another 10 or so] headed by our Koro could celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ [and uncle Kelly who was also born on 25 December]. We always had a haangi, eels, sea food, salads, puddings galore and a big Christmas cake or two or three.
31. M&D's next child [8/C] was George Whatanui (8/3/43). According to Mum he was a scrawny blue baby whom no one wanted so M&D had to keep him. He became known as Watty as a child because he seemed to question everything with "What's this, What's that, Why, Who said etc"
32. Come in 9/C. Who of course was the one and only Stumpy. He commenced his invasion of our world on the 29th of June 1944. He was actually named "Invasion," not after aliens from another world but after the Allies D Day Landings at Normanby on 6 June 1944. (So wherever you see a repeat of the D Day Landings on the TV think of our bro Stumpy) Our Koro Kereama Te Ngako took great pleasure in christening him Graham [Kereama] Te Ngako. Probably because of his happy disposition and wonderful knack of being able to bring cheer into our home M&D kept him. Not sure what colour he was but a clue is: who has heard of a saying, "As white as a white stump?"
33. Dad and his brothers moved their potato cropping business to the Cheltenham - Kimbolton -Feilding area around 1945. They built the Kereama "Camp" on land given to Dad without a lease by the landowner Miss Burrell [Crops and land development was done by the Kereama Brothers on her property and her brother Pat Burrell's property]. This land section was along the Kimbolton Road 8 kms from Feilding. The "Camp" initially consisted of a number of surplus army 4 man huts and a number of tent/huts [A wooden floor with a metre high surrounding wall with a tent on top]. The source of water was a fresh water spring which filled an excavated dam. We washed and swam in that Dam.
34. The camp was occupied by the Kereama army. M&D plus their children plus our uncles and aunties. We were a huge whanau. We also had cuzzies come and live with us. Haswell Nicholson lived with us when he was working with the railways. Olive Gotty also lived with us when she also worked at the Feilding railway station. During the spud picking season we always had extra people.
35. Everyone seemed so busy. There were no showers. No hot water systems except for a couple of wood burning coppers. No washing machines. No electric stoves. We did have an electric jug and a radio. At night we all listened to the serials such as "Night Beat," "Dossier on Demetrius." During the day Mum listened to "Portia Faces Life" and "Doctor Paul." The biggy for us as kids was the Sunday Children's Request, where the favourites were, "The Laughing Policeman", "The Golden Palamino" "Amigo" "Flick The Little Fire Engine" "The Small One" etc. The life forces in and around The Camp were very positive and so many happy occasions were celebrated there.
36. The Camp took on some semblance of permanence when Dad built our home from a series of oneroom buildings which he had purchased and reassembled and connected up on site. The area was further developed with the establishment of a big vegetable garden, a number of flower plots, an orchard, a chicken run and a very big storage shed. A water pipeline was connected to the town water supply system. Our water pipe only had one tap. There was no running hot or cold water inside our house. The toilet was a long-drop which was always sited a long way from the house because it could get quite ripe especially in summer. This little whare was never ever fitted with a light and it was out there where the bogeyman was so one had to be very brave and or awfully desperate to want to go to the dunny at night.
37. Bruce Waimarie 10/C was born 21/12/46. According to Mum, Bruce was a beautiful baby with such lovely coloured eyes. Stumpy and I [at 2 and 3 years old] were not that convinced. All he seemed to do was sleep, cry, suck on a milk bottle teat or two and poop himself. The old folk [anyone over 3 years old] spoilt him so he must have been an ok kid.
38. 11/C was Leslie Takihiku (30/10/48) who decided right from the day he was born that he was going to be different and that is why he is the only child of M&D who is left handed.
39. Bruce and Leslie were inseparable and they played so well together. Along came Uncle Norman and Aunty Mabel who probably wanted to adopt one child but realised that if they took one, that child would fret for the other. So they took both of them back to Pio Pio, a remote town in the isolated King Country. They all lived with Mabel's mother Karanga. Around the house, Karanga only spoke Maori and so Paruhi and Rehi learnt to speak the reo.
40. In the late 1940s, Dad, due to ill health, took a year off from the family spud growing business. He and Mum lived with Aunty Lydia and Uncle Bill in Naenae. Dad worked in the Petone Woollen Mills. During this time Stumpy lived with Aunty Kaa and Uncle Dave. Watty lived with Aunty Myra and Uncle Pat.
41. It is hard to believe now that M&D's last son [12/C], Adrian Te Nge-O-Raukawa (8/12/50) was a very good looking baby and he had beautiful curly hair. When he was crawling about he somehow broke his arm. He was taken to the hospital where his arm was put in a plaster cast. When he got home he was set free to crawl about. He could be heard coming or going as his plaster cast "Doonked" on the floor. At the time there was a silly little song which went.... "Get out of here with the doonk de doonk before I call the cops...etc" So he became known as Doonk-de-doonk which eventually became for ever more Doongy.
42. On 11/3/51 M&D's eldest daughter Betty married Darkie Te Rata Hillman. This happy occasion was to be followed two months later when Makuini married Tom Tane on 26/5/51.
43. On 28/6/51 Rangituehu was born to M&D's eldest daughter Betty and her husband Darkie Hillman. Mum aged 37 and Dad aged 39 were very proud Grandparents. Three months later on 19/9/51 Parewahawaha Joy was born to Makuini and her husband Tom Tane. Joy by name and joy to parents and grandparents. These first two mokopuna were very special to M&D. In the years to come as more and more moko came in to this world their love for each new born was as fresh as ever.
44. On the evening of 3 Feb 1953 Mum and Dad went to the Cheltenham Hotel with some members of the whanau for a few drinks. At about 7.30 they were sort of herded home. This seemed awfully early for Mum but Dad was quite happy as in those days he only drank raspberry lemonade. When they got back to The Camp all was quiet until they switched the lights on and there were all their family and friends gathered to wish them well on their Silver Wedding Anniversary and party on, and on, and on.
45. From 1956 to 1960 Dad moved his family, buildings from The Camp and spud growing operations to the Orangiponga-Ohingaiti-Rewa-Rata areas.
46. On 15 Apr 1956 Rose Matehira Hillman was born. She was the second daughter of M&D's eldest daughter Betty and her husband Darkie. M&D travelled from Orangiponga to Feilding to visit Betty and Darkie some months after Rose was born. When M&D got back to Orangiponga they discovered that Watty and Stumpy who had been very quiet in the back seat of the car had brought the baby, the baby's bottles and clothes home because they had never had a baby sister. Mum immediately rang Betty. Betty answered the phone, Mum asked how everything was. Betty replied that nothing had changed since we left her home less than an hour ago. Mum asked how was the baby? Betty said that she was still fast asleep in her cot. Mum then told Betty that Rose was with us and that Watty and Stumpy had done the deed. Betty hit the roof. After a lot of korero Rose remained with M&D.
47. In 1958 M&D's last child [13/C] Barbarina was born. Barbarina had Downs Syndrome. She became a child whom everyone loved. The animals loved her. We had a big cranky tom cat that would scratch and or bite any child that crossed it's path except Barbarina. She could carry this beast anywhere or drag it by the tail and it would not even meow. She never ever spoke but she could utter sounds quietly or really loud if she wanted to make a point. She understood what people spoke about or when she was spoken to but when it suited her she would never ever let on that she understood what she was being told. One day when she was about 3 years of age she and Mum were down town outside a shoe shop. Barbarina wanted a pair of shoes near the top of a shoe tree [a stand with shoes draped all over it]. Mum told her that she could not have the shoes. Mum kept walking down the street. A little while later Mum looked back to see Barbarina had knocked the shoe tree over and was dragging the whole thing along because the shoes she wanted were securely tied to the tree and she could not get that pair off, so she had decided to take the lot.
48. In 1961 M&D moved back to Feilding to live in the house they purchased at 30 Camden Street. Dad's Spud growing operations returned to the Tokorangi - Cheltenham - Kimbolton area.
49 On 20 March 1962 Family and Friends gathered to celebrate Dad's 50th birthday and two years later on 28 February 1964 the same crowd apparently regrouped to celebrate Mum's golden birthday [I missed both of these occasions as I was in the Army in other parts of the country.]
50. Everyone was broken hearted when Barbarina died of meningitis in 1962. The night before taking Barbarina out to the Marae for the tangi she was taken back home where the family and friends had gathered. Our big mean cat, who hated crowds, came in uninvited and got into the casket with his mate. This upset some people present but we of the family understood. Next morning we moved to the Marae for the tangi. When we got home after the funeral the cat was missing never to be seen again.
51. Dad spent a number of years on the Maori Land Advisory Board as a member then eventually as chairman. This board was set up to assist Maori who applied for finance to purchase and / or develop land to make it productive and profitable. When it was clear that a proposal was not viable Dad did not hesitate to give advice and if necessary turn the proposal down. He recalls the total pleasure he got from advising, motivating and assisting those who displayed the essential abilities to do well.
52. In May 1979 Averill and I and our four children went with Mum and Dad to the temple at Ratana to give thanks for our safe return from an army two year posting to Singapore. During the course of the prayers Dad mentioned his and Mum's 50th wedding anniversary. When we got back to Feilding I asked my sister Betty how had the event been celebrated back on the 3rd of February. Betty explained that someone had died around that date and the occasion had been put off. Averill and I decided that we would invite Mum and Dad to our then new home in Wanganui to bless it. I went to Feilding to pick them up and when we got to Wanganui I made an excuse to take them to the Army Hall to have a drink. When we walked in they were greeted by a karanga from Aunty Kaa and powhiri performed by their Mokopuna [who had been tutored by their daughter Puti] followed by whaikorero from the elders. All of Dad's brothers, sisters and in-laws plus many of their children and mokopuna and friends had come to celebrate their Golden Anniversary. This was a very enjoyable occasion. Everyone stayed over to join with us the next day to bless our new home.
53. In 1982 we celebrated Dad's 70th birthday in the Feilding Civic Centre and two years later we celebrated Mum's 70th in the Feilding Hotel.
54. On 13 Nov 1983 Dad and Mum attended the whanau meeting to discuss a proposal to establish a whanau marae. When the proposal was accepted Dad moved the motion that the proposed marae be named Taumata O Te Ra. From that day on like the remainder of his brothers, sisters and in-laws Dad (and Mum) became totally committed to the eventual establishment of the marae.
55. Their Diamond Wedding Anniversary. The Manawatu Evening Standard on Friday 3 February 1989 had a huge 30 x 15 cm photograph of Mum and Dad in the paper with the following report - Lots of give and take is the key to a long happy marriage, says a Feilding Couple. George and Hatiara Kereama should know - today they celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary. They have known each other ever since their school days, when they attended Tokorangi Shool. They married on George's 16th birthday, when Hatiara was just a few days' short of turning 15. "In Maoridom," says Mr Kereama, "this is perfectly acceptable." The Kereamas have nine children, 55 grandchildren, 36 great-grandchildren and two great-great- grandchildren. Asked to recall a few high-lights of their long and happy marriage, Mr Kereama said: "There's far too many to remember. There's been some times when life's been very worrying or hard, but most of the time has been really good. There's so many good times." They received a telegram from Queen Elizabeth yesterday. [Three comments about the news article: (1) Note the spelling of Mum's name (2) The comment about marrying on Dad's 16th birthday is incorrect (3) when the telegram signed QE II arrived Dad is reported to have asked, "Who is QE II?" His mate knew and she had great pleasure in letting him know in her own inimitable way]. They also received telegrams from the Governor General [Sir Paul Reeves], the Prime Minister [David Lange], the Minister of Maori Affairs [Koro Wetere], etc. A wonderful function was held at Tikanga Marae on Saturday 4 Feb 89. A huge crowd attended to express their aroha for Mum and Dad. Many photographs and a video record the delight of all manuhiri, whanau and the guests of honour. One special event included a bouquet of flowers being presented by Hayden Hillman to his Great-great-grandmother. Mum's, "Thank you darling," is a joy to witness and hear on the video recording. (At that time the 22 months old Hayden was one of Mum and Dad's two fifth generation children).
56. The Manawatu Evening Standard on 17 June 1989 reported:- Ever since George Ngapukapuka Kereama was 19 he has been involved with community groups and working on the land. Mr Kereama, a retired agricultural contractor of Feilding has been awarded a Queen's Service Medal for public service. Aged 77, he is a member and past chairman of the Maori Land Advisory Board, for which he has belonged to for 15 years, a minister of the Ratana Church since 1958, a tutor in Maori Language and Culture and an active member in many community groups. He is also a past chairman of [of the Board] Hato Paora College, and has in the past been involved in sports organisations. Between 1947 and 1956 he was a member of nine community committees in the Manawatu. In 1956 he founded the Ohingaiti Lodge of the Grand Lodge of England, and is now a life member of both the Ohingaiti and Aorangi Lodges. In 1954 he was president of the Manawatu Rangitikei Labour Representation Council. Mr Kereama was also a past member of the Rangitikei and Manawatu Rugby Unions and a Feilding hockey representative. He said it was "quite an achievement" to receive a QSM for his participation in the community. Later in the year Dad attended the Honours Awards Presentation at Government House, Wellington, to be presented the QSM by the Governor General, Sir Paul Reeves. Dad was accompanied by Mum and their driver Watty
57. The flat at TOTR. When the prospect of building flats was first discussed two couples indicated immediate interest [Whetumarama and Kawa Kereama / Darkie and Betty Hillman] so an application was made to build two flats. A month or so later Mum indicated that she wanted a flat as well [Her husband of 62 years, Ngapukapuka was not too sure but in the end went along with the proposal]. Towards the last week of January 1992 M&D moved into their flat which they named Te Whare O Te Aroha. This was the first house where they had hot and cold running water. Mum loved the flat and all the modern appliances especially the automatic washing machine. (Their first home away from relations way back in 1935 was also in Halcome)
58. Dad reached his 80th year on 20 Mar 1992. D&M's whanau put on a function in the Halcombe Memorial Hall which was well attended by whanau and friends. We have a beaut video of everyone singing "Happy Birthday" for Dad except if you look very closely at Mum's lips she actually sang "Happy Birthday to Me" where as the rest of the singers sang "Happy Birthday to You"
59. Mum attended her youngest sister Pua's 60th birthday function on 8th Jan 93. At the function she became very ill but carried on to join in with everyone at this happy occasion. The next day Mum returned with Stumpy and Tikina back to M&D's flat at Taumata O Te Ra. She collapsed and an ambulance was called. At the time Dad was not 100% well and as the ambulance staff were preparing Mum to be carried out to the ambulance she was insisting that the ambulance people should take Dad as he in her view was sicker then her. She was taken to the Palmerston North Hospital and was treated in the Intensive Care Unit for a massive heart attack. Her situation was stabilised and after a week she released herself to return home to look after Dad [who at this time was well]. On 25 Jan 93 Dad went off to Ratana, Mum stayed home. Her brothers Jack and Ron plus Pua and uncle John had stayed over night. Mum went across to watch her brother Jack play Stumpy at Pool [We had a pool table in the building known as Harurunui] and prepared lunch for everyone. After lunch Jack, Ron, Pua and John headed off home. Not long after they left Mum had another heart attack. She was rushed to hospital. Dad arrived home to be told that Mum had been taken to hospital. She hung on until Dad got to her side. They shared a prayer and a few words then she passed away. That evening Mum was brought back to her flat where those closest to her had gathered. The next morning she was taken out to Tikanga Marae for the tangihanga. Family and friends came from far and wide to grieve and demonstrate their aroha for Mum and to support Dad and the immediate family at this time of our sad loss. This was one of the biggest funerals ever at Tikanga Marae. The Band and Choir from Ratana came as did the Hamuera Band from Hastings. Of course on the night before her tangi most of M&D's whanau and many friends filled the Meeting House and many speeches were made, fun times recalled, jokes told and songs sung as we recalled the wonderful memories we individually and collectively had of our Mum, their Grandmother, their sister, their sister-in-law, their cousin, their aunty, their friend and Dad's wife. For one item we recalled how from time to time during their marriage Dad used to sing to Mum, "I wish I was single again...etc"... so with Dad taking the lead and playing the ukelele we sang that little song.
60. With the passing of Mum so ended Mum and Dad's time together in this life. All of us grieved in our own separate ways. Dad in particular suffered quietly missing his mate who took great care of him for so many years.
Dad After 1993
1. Even though the pace of development of Taumata O Te Marae quickened in 1993 until the marae was opened three years later on 10 February 1996 by Te Arikinui Te Atairangikaahu, Dad was a lonely man.
2. During most of the time from 1993 until March 1996 Emery and Noleen lived with and took care of Dad. From 1996 Rangituehu Hillman Dad's eldest Mokopuna lived with and cared for Dad.
3. Dad became more lonely over the period 1993 to 2000 as many members of his immediate whanau passed away [His daughter Betty, sons-in-law Darkie and Tom, brothers Darcy, Kelly and Emery, sisters Myra and Nancy, sisters-in-law Moetu and Louie and brothers-in-law Ron and Jack].
4. In early 1999 Dad tripped over and damaged his right leg which forced him to use a walking stick and one crutch. Still he insisted on hobbling down the hill to tend his garden. He sometimes used his motorised rotary hoe to pull him back up the hill. In early 2000 he fell heavily and severely damaged his right knee joint. Now his mobility was so restricted that he required a wheel chair. In July 2000 he got a battery driven wheel chair and it was rumoured that he was wondering if he could get down to the vegetable garden on it or tow a motor mower to mow a lawn.
5. In October 2000 Dad was hospitalised after he took himself off his prescribed medicines in favour of pills bought off a "faith healer". Before he was released from hospital he accepted an offer from Averill and Watty to live with them in Wanganui. Dad was ever grateful for the time, care, companionship and aroha Rangi gave him for the four years they shared together at Taumata O Te Ra.
6. Dad moved to Whanganui on 19 December 2000 and was temporarily accommodated in the dining/lounge area as all the bedrooms and the bathroom were upstairs which Dad could not access. Averill and Watty considered modifications to the house to give Dad privacy and to claim back the dining/lounge area. Options considered included (1) the installation of a lift (plus modify the bathroom and one bedroom) (2) the installation of a ramp (plus modify the bathroom and one bedroom) (3) build a bedroom and ensuite as a separate building attached to rear of the house. Option 3 was selected. Averill did all of the interior painting and supervised the installation of the carpet and curtains. On 31 Mar 2001 after Dad had prayers to bless the building he shifted in. Dad became very fond of his whare as it was warm and cosy and he was surrounded by his own photos, taonga and personal things of importance to him.
7. Averill was Dad's primary caregiver as she tended the matters in relation to his health and medications, his clothes, his trips during Mon-Fri weekdays to Taumata O Te Ra or the Wananga O Raukawa, his finances and was his mate at home when Watty was at work. She (like all of Dad's sons-in-law and daughters-in-law) got on well with Dad because if he got difficult she usually just walked away unlike Watty who would discuss a point rather vigorously (oops I almost wrote the word "argue") with Dad (it seems all of his sons and daughters did this from time to time).
8. As Dad tried to assist Averill in the gardens (and fall off his wheel chair) a raised garden was put in place for him (which he eventually totally ignored) however in one corner of a garden near his whare he would tend to his plants and carefully water them.
9. Around the house it was a real pleasure-observing Dad conversing with the children especially with the two regular-stop-over-little-people Clarke (Manomano) and Grayson (Pareraukawa) and to see his face light up at their arrival.
10. Dad looked forward to the Saturday visits to Taumata O Te Ra to meetings or working bees. His electric wheelchair was left parked with Shirley and Les at Taumata so if it was fine or even not so fine he would drive himself around the Marae to prune roses or fruit trees or pull out weeds. He occasionally got "stuck" in some wet patch or tipped the wheelchair and himself over ... and once he complained that no one came to help him for a half an hour as he lay hurt on the ground until one of his mokos found him (Shirley and Les's mokos Joseph, Robert and William all took care of their Great-grand-koro when they were near him). No amount of advice about staying on solid ground seemed to work ... he just went where he thought he could help and he really would work away. When he returned to Whanganui he was tired (but contented).
11. To stay overnight away from home was quite a logistic exercise as we had to take apart his bed and load everything on a trailer and make sure everything was waterproof (This usually took about one hour). At the destination point we would have to set his bedspace up (This usually took about one hour) and make sure he had access to a toilet. When we returned we went through the whole process again. Eventually we set up a bed a Taumata so that when we went there the packing time was reduced to 40 minutes.
12. Around 2001 Dad made a decision that he would no longer whaikorero on marae and he would call on Sam if present or Watty to speak in his place. This was an awesome task because of his reputation and his Father's reputation as speakers ... just before you stood up he would give you some words to say which was way too late to learn let alone deliver.
13. Every evening Dad said whakamoemiti in the lounge or in his whare and he enjoyed the visits to Ratana for services and or celebrations such as 8 Nov, 25 Jan and Easter.
14. One of the regrets that we had of Dad living with us in Whanganui was that he lost that everyday touch with the wider whanau that he enjoyed at Taumata ... over here he was not tangata whenua ...hence when ever the whanau especially Kura Mairaro wanted him to attend an occasion we went out of way to get him there (On a number of occasions sister Puti and our brother-in-law Joseph helped out when we were not able to attend).
15. When we went away on holidays to reunions or trips overseas Dad would go for a holiday with Puti & Joe or Makuini or Taumata O Te Ra (Shirley & Les and Stumpy & Tikina) or an old peoples home (He did not like that place much as he told us that the other residents hardly spoke and they sort of just sat around) ... after a couple of days he would be asking when would Watty and Averill be back. When he got back with us he would tell us just how lovely this or that was where ever he had just returned from.
16. In 2002 we thought it would be a good idea to invite Dad's whanau to Whanganui to celebrate his 90th. Our cuzzies reminded us that he was their uncle and so we should have a Hapu occasion at Taumata. Then members of other Hapu of Ngati Raukawa chimed in so we sent out an invite with the wording Your presence will be his present ... and so it turned out a wonderful occasion. (Initial planning figure 30, final outcome 500 plus). The tributes paid to him were thoroughly appreciated by Dad (and all of us present).
17. In early January 2004 Dad became ill with a stomach complaint and on 8 Jan he was hospitalised. He was released on 14 Jan but it was obvious that he was not fully recovered. He was readmitted on 24 Jan 04. This was the first time that we decided to let the whanau know that he was unwell. His son's Bruce and Adrian came home from the South Island. Uncle Mick and aunty Nancy came home from Australia as did Dad's whangai daughter Rose and his moko Maurice. His brother Jim came down from Hamilton. During the week he told family members and the hospital staff that he wanted to go home and when he was told that he needed special care he replied that Averill always did that for him. Many whanau, whanaunga and friends visited Dad. Family members would sit with him overnight. It was my turn to be with him on Sat night 31 Jan so through the night even though he was in pain he would talk to me or talk to other persons who had passed on. At around 1am the nurses came in to give Dad a wash and reset his bed and after we exchanged a few words Dad eventually dosed off to sleep. At around 1.30 am 1 Feb 04 the monitoring machines indicated that Dad had passed away which was later confirmed by the on duty doctor.
18. I called Averill to pass the message on to the whanau. Averill, Adrian, Bruce, Puti and Joe came into the hospital where we had prayers then decided on the tangi details. After speaking with the Funeral Director (Paul Watkins with Dempsey Forrest) we advised the Tumuaki of the Ratana Church (Hare Mason) that we would like to call in at the Temple Gates (At 12 noon) before we proceeded on to Taumata O Te Ra. The whanau were advised that we would be at Taumata at 1 pm. Before leaving Whanganui, Dad was brought back to his whare where we had service. The Tumuaki, Nga Apotoro and members of the choir were at the Temple Gates and a very special service was held. When we reached Taumata our immediate whanau were at the entranceway to greet their Father/Koro and the extended whanau and iwi were on the marae to greet him and support the whanau pani.
19. Many many people came to pay their respects over the next three days and many wonderful things were said about Dad. The funeral service was well conducted by nga apotoro Turoa Harongo, Rowdy Akuhata and Bob Hina plus the rev Tunu Waaka and the eulogy was personally presented by four moko (Bruce Kereama, Sean Kereama, Grant Kereama and Awhina Twomey).
20. A vault was built for Dad next to Mum at the Tokorangi Cemetry and he was laid to rest on Wednesday 4 Feb 2004.
21. The hakari was superb and Sam spoke on behalf of Dad's whanau to thank the Paepae, Kai Karanga, Ministers of Religion, Cooks, Cleaners (all whanau and extended whanau) who did such a marvellous job taking care of manuhiri and the home people. The koha in terms of effort, kai and money was very generous and we made every effort to thank everyone. We returned to our home on Thursday 5 Feb accompanied by Turoa Haronga to takihi the house.
22. We (Sam & Theresa, Puti & Joseph, Averill & myself, Jerald Twomey, Awhina Twomey (Plus her children Shaia, Ngahuia, Te Manawa and Te Rangituehu), Justine Kereama, Brenda Te Whatu (and her moko Trinity), Miriama Kereama, Janie Kereama (and her daughters Anihaera and Rongorito) and Sean Ogden. Iwikatea Nicholson was there to speak on behalf of Ngati Raukawa ki Te Tonga) took his kawe mate back to Turangawaewae at Ngaruawahia during the 2004 Koroneihana celebrations on Friday 21 May 2004.
Kereama Whanau and McGregor Whanau
1. The Kereama Whanau:
(a) Dad's parents, Kereama and Waitauhi, were a devoted couple who set high ethical and moral standards. Kereama and Waitauhi worked hard to raise their family to appreciate all that surrounded them. They were never to waste time, effort or resources. Anything of real value had to be earned. They were not to dwell on negatives. They had to seek solutions and enjoy life. They were encouraged to care for and support each other. They had to actively participate in the wider community and pay their dues. They lived their Maoritanga. They were taught their prayers.
(b) It probably would be safe to say that not one of Kereama and Waitauhi's sons or daughters inherited all of the positive attributes of their parents. Individually they demonstrated some or many of those attributes but as a group they covered and extended all of those attributes.
(c) Collectively they were industrious, articulate, honest, competitive and very determined to do well at what ever they took on.
(d) Like any family they had their differences of opinion and all of them could argue and rub each other up the wrong way if they so wished but if an outsider intervened they stood as one. They actually got on well and they respected each other. Christmas's together on a frequent basis and Family reunions were great occasions.
1. The McGregor Whanau
(a) Mum's parents Poutu and Ruhia (Lucy) were first cousins. Poutu's father Hokowhitu McGregor and Lucy's mother Riria were brother and sister. Riria
married an Italian Nicolo Sciascia.
(b) Poutu and Lucy had a large close knit family who were never into "front" of marae activities but were excellent workers in the manaakitanga area and they knew how to enjoy themselves.
Hobbies/Sport/Iwi/Community Involvement
1. In his youth Dad was a very good sprinter and he used that speed to good effect as a rugby centre or wing. Hockey was a game which he and his brothers really excelled at. Dad like most people of his generation rode horses. Dad had a white stallion named Mystery. The horse was aptly named because he was big, powerful and he could run fast and jump high fences. He had a mind of his own and no one except Dad could ride him. When Dad wanted Mystery to come for a work out he would whistle and the horse would come galloping. Mystery knew that after the work out he would be rewarded with a lump of sugar.
2. School Committees
(a). At Tokorangi Dad was involved in the acquisition of the first school bus from Wanganui Education Board. A representative of the Education Board was invited to attend a meeting. He came in his car. Dad took him to a location above Harurunui a distance of about 10 kilometres from the school. When they stopped Dad took the car keys and told the representative that they were going to walk back to the school. Amazingly this representative saw the sense in why children as young as 5 years old needed a bus. From there he had to argue with the County Council Engineer to improve the road and build two bridges. When the bus arrived even the parents were getting on it for a ride.
(b). Hato Paora. Dad was the Chairman of the School Board for many years.
3. Dad was involved in the NZ Labour Party for many years and became the Chairman of the Rangitikei-Manawatu branch.
4. Became a primo in the Buffalo Lodge and was a life member of the Aorangi Lodge and the Ohingaiti Lodge.
The Church
5. Dad was christened in the Church of England. Dad went with his parents to Ratana around 1924 to witness Tahupotiki Wiremu Ratana [later to be known as the Mangai] healing people. Dad related how he saw Ratana heal Pat Renata's father who was a cripple. This man was brought to Ratana on a stretcher carried by pakeha hospital staff. The stretcher was placed on the ground in front of a large gathering of over a thousand people. Ratana instructed the nursing attendants to sit the patient up on a box that had been placed near the stretcher. The staff supported the patient until Ratana grasped his arm and pulled him up into the standing position. The patient was very unsteady and was shaking all over. Ratana walked him around. Tears were running down the patients face. Then Ratana let him go and he was able to stand on his own. He was healed. Next, a big, obviously porangi [crazy], strangely dressed woman advanced towards Ratana. She shoved people out of the way to get to Ratana. The Katipa attempted to stop her. Ratana turned and saw what was going on and commanded the katipa to leave her alone. When she got near him he asked her to look up at the sky and he asked what could she see, she did not reply. "Can you see angels?" "Yes." "Pikiteora kia koe" After witnessing these faith healing deeds Dad joined the Ratana Church.
6. In 1929 Mum and Dad were married by Te Whiwhi Maraenui Tapine the Ratana Apotoro in the Tokorangi area
7. In 1954 Dad was appointed Akonga by Puhi Ratahi, the Tumuaki of the Ratana Church. In 1958 he was ordained as an Apotoro Rehita by Apotoro Sam Paki and Apotoro Robbie Aperahama at Kotuku Marae. He inherited his Apotoro regalia from his father [who had inherited it from Te Whiwhi Maraenui Tapine. On 25 January 2001 this regalia was passed on to Turoa Haronga]
8. Since 1958 Dad has conducted many Sunday Services, Sunday Schools, Evening Prayers, Christenings, Marriages, Burials, Unveilings, Prayers at all sorts of occasions, Blessed Buildings and all manner of things and his every evening every morning prayers are legendary to members of his whanau.
9. In the early 1960s Dad, in collusion with Sam Paki and other senior apotoro was one of the founding members of the Ratana Church School of Instruction which was to preserve the teachings of the Mangai.
10. Dad became Apotoro Takiwa responsible for the Manawatu - Rangitikei area [Foxton to Ohakune] and eventually he became one of the Church's twelve Apotoro Runanga.
11. When asked, "What does Ratanaism mean to you?" He replied .... Ratana did away with some unsafe tohunga ways [makutu] and he brought spiritual salvation to the Morehu through the Matua, Tama and Wairua Tapu." The Messengers of God, Nga Anahera Pono, are also very important in the teachings of the Mangai. The Whetumarama which recorded what the Mangai did and said is a huge source of inspiration for the Church. The Reo was the language used by the Mangai therefore the continued use of the Reo especially for prayer must remain within the Church but we must not lose sight of the fact that it is the message given to us by the Mangai that is paramount. The Mangai also taught that salvation on this land had to be sought through the Treaty of Waitangi and involvement in the Parliamentary system. The Mangai's discussions with Michael Savage and his support of the Labour Party was the only way to go at that time. The contribution by all of the Ratana MPs especially Sir Eruera Tirkatene, Iriaka Ratana, Matu Rata, Koro Wetere and Whetu Tirikatene have benefited all of Maoridom and the Country as a whole, one day in the future people will appreciate what these wonderful people achieved.
12. Mum was an Awhina within the Church. She assisted Dad by ensuring his Apotoro regalia and his suits and shirts were clean and pressed. She assisted him to dress for services. She assisted with people when they needed it during services particularly baptisms. Mum actually recited whakamoemiti when Dad was not around. Mum cooked so many lunch meals which followed Ratana Church services in Feilding. Mum purchased an old china cabinet for storing crockery and cutlery in the Caledonian Hall where Ratana Church Services were usually conducted in Feilding [That cabinet has been refurbished and now is in the Kaumatua Lounge at Taumata O Te Ra Marae]. Mum made many bottles of pickles, jams and fruit for Church fund raising projects.
Maoridom
1. Dad lived, breathed and revelled in his Maoriness. He learned his values from his Mother and Father and the people he cared for most in his Hapu. His parents and all of his elders and his peers spoke Maori around the house and of course on the many marae Dad was associated with. This then was his school of learning. As a boy even though his first language was the Reo he was encouraged to write and speak English proficiently.
2. As a speaker on the Marae Dad knew his tikanga and he addressed the issues and we all felt comfortable with what he had to say.
3. Dad served on various committees [Marae Committee or Committee Maori or Trustee] of Kotuku, Poupatate, Tikanga, Parewahawaha and Taumata O Te Ra Marae.
4. Dad taught many people how to speak the Reo and in his younger days he was involved with Kapahaka groups as a participant and tutor.
5. On 30 Sep 1995 Dad, his brother Whetumarama, Iwikatea Nicholson, Ruta Rene, and Kiripuai Te Aomarere were appointed "He Purutanga Mauri O Te Wananga O Raukawa" (TWOR"s way of recognising the contribution made by appointees in the development of the Wananga and also recognition of the very special knowledge and expertise that each appointee possess including their immeasurable and priceless contribution to the mana and rangatiratanga of their founding Iwi of TWOR). ¬Note previous appointees were Paterika Te Rei, Tukawekai Kereama, Rangiamohia Parata and Rongokino Hekenui.
6. Mum spoke the Reo better than Dad [oops not suppose to say that] and when called on she would and could karanga very well [but she preferred to let her sisters-in-law to do that]. Mum sung and danced like her Father Poutu [and son Watty] which can be best described as being delivered with enthusiasm, within her own sense of timing [everyone else was off key and or out of step] and with word substitutions as the occasion demanded. In a group situation she sang very quietly. Needless to say kapahaka groups never made demands on her.
7. Mum was a champion at supporting Dad, supporting her whanaunga and Manaakitanga. No one was ever asked whether they wanted a meal or a cup of tea....while the visitor was talking Mum would unobtrusively set the table and produce something to eat and a cup of tea. The cupboard from time to time may have seemed bare but Mum always had flour to cook up a batch of scones.
Employment
1. When Dad joined the work force in 1926 paid work was hard to come by. The situation was worse still for Maori men who at that time lived in the more remote parts of the country and Tokorangi in those days was very remote, with metalled roads and streams that had to be forded. The situation became desperate during the late 1920s early 1930s because of the Great Depression. When work was available there was always a lot of competition for any job so one had to work hard and earn a reputation for being reliable. Work was back breaking manual labour performed in all weather conditions with long work hours. Work usually involved travelling away from home and living in tents or substandard shacks built out of material from the bush. Dad recalls that:
a. He got his first job in 1926 when he was 14 years of age as a labourer on the end of a shovel. He worked for a contractor who was digging in a cutting at the northern end of the Reureu Road. The cutting went down the hill into the Waitapu Creek bed area. Pay was 10 cents per hour.
b. The next job was picking potatoes near Ratana.
c. In 1930 he went out as a rousy with shearing contractor Heta Wharemahihi [Father of Heta Mako Wharemahihi who was the second husband of Dad's sister Nancy]. They worked around the Taihape area.
d. Next Dad was back into the potatoe crops with the Gibbs brothers at Rata;
e. In 1932 like thousands of men across the country Dad was on the dole getting 40 cents per day. In those days men had to work on Government directed Public Works for the dole. This was usually pick and shovel labour digging drains or constructing roads around the Manawatu - Rangitikei area.
f. From 1935 to 1938 Dad worked in a railways line maintenance gang. He started as a labourer and eventually became a leading hand of his gang.
g. In 1938 while still working with the railways Dad grew his first crop of potatoes. This venture started when Walter Fell offered him seed potatoes on credit which was to be repaid after the crop was harvested. Dad noted that he did not think that Mr Fell's offer was an act of kindness as Dad was aware that the seeds were excess old stock which Mr Fell was anxious to unload at a profit. The crop was one acre. Dad trudged behind a plow hauled by two horses to turn over the soil. The horses were used again to haul the set of disks to break up the soil. The crop was hand planted. Weeding and cultivation was done manually with a hoe or grubber. The crop was dug out with a garden fork. The harvest was excellent and a good profit was retained after all costs were repaid.
h. The rewards from his initial crop encouraged Dad to give up working for the railways and to expand the scope of his endeavours as an independent contractor. In 1939 he leased 12 acres on credit [payment was to be one quarter share of the harvest]. Mr Frank Prior had a new tractor which he wished to show off it's capability to obtain further contracts so he offered to plough over the 12 acres provided Dad supplied the petrol [two 44 gallon drums of petrol were obtained on credit to be paid after the crop was harvested]. Uncle Kelly then 16 years old commenced his working life on this crop with his elder brother George. As the season progressed and it became obvious that a bumper crop was in the making a representative from the agricultural marketing company Hodder and Tolley made an offer of $20 per ton. This offer was verbally acknowledged. Some time later another company made an offer of $30 per ton. Dad being Dad instead of accepting the prevailing market price stayed with the lower Hodder and Tolley offer. To harvest this and future crops a mechanical digger was purchased on credit. Frank Prior and his tractor were hired to haul the digger. Dad, uncle Kelly, uncle Bill Kereama and uncle Barron Arapere picked up the harvest which yielded 15 tons per acre. 12 acres x 15 tons x $20 gave a gross return of $3,600. Less one quarter for land lease, less the cost of petrol, less pickers wages, less the cost of the digger, less the every day cost of living, leaving a net profit which was a fortune in those days.
i. 1940 saw the formation of the Kereama Brothers Agricultural Contractors, the partners being Dad and uncles Jim, Kelly and Norman. From the 1939 profits an International Farmall H Tractor and an army surplus Ford V8 5 ton truck were purchased. A forty acre crop was planted and harvested. Uncle Jim stayed with the business partnership for only one year.
j. From 1940 to 1947 all cropping was done in the Tokorangi - Kakariki area. All of the lands leased by the Kereama Brothers were undeveloped areas requiring stump clearance or drainage. Bulldosing Contractors were brought in to clear stumps and swamp plows used to turn the soil over. At the end of each lease contract the fields were grassed. During this period another Farmall H tractor and the powerful brutish to drive Massey Harris Tractor were purchased along with two single shear swamp plows, two heavy sets of disks, and attachments for the tractors such as cultivators and moulders. Acreages increased each year. Many of the local people benefited from the wages earned from working on those crops.
k. From 1948 to 1955 the Kereama Brothers grew crops in the Cheltenham - Kimbolton area. In 1953 Two Ferguson Tractors were added to the tractor fleet [One of these Ferguson tractors is still in use at Taumata O Te Ra Marae in the year 2000]. During this time Norman and then uncle Kelly got married and moved on to pursue their own work careers.
l. In 1956 the Ford Truck was replaced by a 6 ton Morris truck and Dad moved his operations to Orangipunga [on the Eastern side of the Rangitikei River opposite the Makohine Viaduct near Ohingaiti]. Dad remained in the Ohingaiti - Rewa areas for 4 years then returned to the Tokorangi - Cheltenham -Kimbolton area.
m. In 1966 he grew and harvested his last commercial potato crop and sold off his truck, tractors and all his machinery [except for one Ferguson Tractor which was retained to drive his power bench saw to cut household firewood and I suspect for sentimental reasons!]
n. Dad then got a job at the Feilding Freezing Works where he worked on the mutton chain for 18 years until 1984. He fondly recalled, "I was the oldest person at the works and still going strong when they kicked me off". Comment: In those days the old age pension was paid out to people at 60 years of age but he stayed on until 72.
Impressions
1. They lived through an era where Maori at the beginning of the century were living through the trauma of survival without access to their traditional lands. They survived the great epidemics that wiped out thousands of people world wide but was particularly harsh on the Maori people because of their lack of immunity to foreign diseases. They lived through two World Wars. They lived through the Great Depression. They knew poverty, hunger and grief BUT they survived and learnt from life experiences. They over come adversity and made best use of opportunities that came their way and they enjoyed life. They were realist who never lacked enthusiasm, patience and endurance.
2. In his prime, physically Dad was a short [5 foot 6 inches or 1.6734 metres] wiry built man. He was very fit and very strong and very determined. [eg a story from the writer, "When I was 12 years old during the spud picking season on weekends when Dad's workers had the weekend off I would go with Dad to help him load out a couple of truck loads of spuds. My job was to open and shut gates en route from/to the roadway to/from the spud paddock and drive the truck slowly between the rows of sacks of spuds. Dad would toss 8 sacks [each 64 Kilos] on to moving the truck [a lift of 1300mm] then he would get me to stop the truck so that he could climb up onto the tray of the truck so that he could stack the sacks in standing rows and then lift some sacks to lie horizontal on top of the standing rows. This procedure would be repeated another 11 times until the truck was loaded to its capacity of 96 sacks [6,144 kilos or in 1955 language 6 tons]. Dad would then drive the truck to the railway yard and transfer the 96 sacks onto a 12 ton railways goods wagon. Back to the spud paddock for a second load to fill the railway wagon.]
3. When Mum was 35 she was a small [5 foot 4 inches 1.6255 metres] slim lady who always seemed to be busy. Carrying and giving birth to so many children. Caring for so many of her brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews and other whanau members. Cooking over a wood burning stove. Hand washing. Mending and ironing clothes. Making jam and pickles. Bottling fruit and vegetables. Life was a real ball.
4. In his spare time Dad put a lot of effort into his vegetable garden, flower gardens and fruit trees. In the evenings when he was growing potato crops he did his accounts and worked on his workers time and tally sheets to make up the wage packets.
5. Whakamoemiti was usually taken by Dad but when he was not there Mum would take the lead.
6. Pastimes included cards, knucklebones, string games and draughts. Mum was very skilled at all of these games and she would take particular delight in beating Dad. He loved to put it across her and he would try to rile her to put her off her game. Their "Tom and Jerry" act went on where ever they went or what ever they were up to but usually out of the hearing of non-whanau. Dad was usually "Jerry" but Mum could give as good as she received. She was not as insistent or subtle as Dad and when she got wild she would swear at him, using the big F... word, which would piss him off. Dad was never heard to swear.
7. If Mum got hoha with us kids she would yell at us and whack us with whatever was in reach. There would be no questions asked or beg-your-pardons so when we sensed she was not in a laughing mood we stayed out of reach. However she cared for and loved us and she taught us the meaning of aroha, manakitanga and how to relax and enjoy life.
8. When we were in trouble Dad spoke quietly and calmly. He listened to your explanation and when you were wrong he sometimes asked you what your punishment should be. A telling off was usually enough. If someone got a hiding from Dad it really was a beauty (I do not recall getting a hiding off Dad).
9. Dad set high work, ethical and service-to-others standards.
10. Dad was a champion on the ukelele [our George Formby] and in his younger days he played along with all the party songs. He hardly ever drank beer or any other alcoholic drink until he gave up his Agricultural Contracting business. When he worked at the freezing works he was amongst a group of men who enjoyed an after work beer or two or more [and he did not have to tend to accounts and pay administration]. In the 80s and early 90s Dad brewed his own beer and wines. Testing a "vintage" year brew 3 - 6 months after the brewing had commenced was always an experience I tried to avoid. Whether it was a rose petal, peach, plum, apple, spud or whatever beer or wine well the colour varied, the aroma varied but they were uniformly awfully po-po-po-potent. 2 - 4 twelve ounce glasses and you were on your ear.
11. Mum loved parties and in her young days she could really knock back what ever was going. When her brothers Moetu or Eddie visited Mum really went on the plonk. [She loved their company as they were like her, fun loving and non judgemental of others] In the 80s she drank only occasionally at events of significance to her.
12. Mum and many of her mates like aunty Louie, Aunty Miriam and aunty Roka loved to play poker whenever they could. Each of them carried a pack of cards ready for a quick draw if the opportunity arose. Huge fortunes (of up to $20) were made or lost after hours of ding dong battle in smoke filled rooms. [We placed a pack of cards in Mum's coffin before we bid her farewell]
13. Mum always seemed to have a bag of lollies which all her mokos knew about [After Mum died when some of those mokos visited her grave they would leave lollies amongst the flowers on her grave]
14. As a tribute to Mum and Dad the notes hereunder used by myself in a speech made at their 60th Wedding Anniversary [3 February 1989] are reproduced:
We have heard some wonderful speeches tonight honouring you two as individuals, honouring you two as an elder brother and an elder sister, honouring you two as a marriage partners, honouring you both as valued members of our church and community. As a representative of your many many children and mokopuna, I have been nominated to address you and pay our respects to you two as our parents and grandparents.
One may select one's friends but not one's own parents...we are here to affirm that if given the chance to select our parents that we would select you two...we have been lucky. You two are wonderful parents and you two have taught us the most important values in life.
Firstly, you taught us that our first source of strength was family...oneness of whanau...to care for each other...to share...to assist in times of stress ... your home always made us welcome...your home is our home.. our homes are your homes.
Secondly, you were and still are knowledgeable and patient teachers...you encouraged us...taught us to respect the views of others...you both are wonderful examples of the living Maori culture [Your command of the Reo.. your interest in Maori arts and crafts.. your innate fine judgement about doing the right thing at the right time particularly on ceremonial occasions.. but more importantly you revealed to us from time to time those sacred inner feelings that are uniquely Maori]. As teachers you taught us how to play cards.. to play cards one must use one's mind.. use one's power of concentration.. use one's ability to calculate ..use one's ability to communicate ..use one's ability to influence .. to lose or win with good grace and humility.
The Third value .. is your unswerving respect and faith in God .. you passed to us the teachings of the Ratana Church .. you taught us how to give thanks .. we do not recall you teaching us to ask for special favours for ourselves .. when you were ordained Dad, that added a dimension to your life and hopefully some of that has rubbed off on to us ..Mum also has lead us in prayers or grace. Allied with your example of religious values was your concept of Truth and Fairness which is how we see the way you two have lived.
The Fourth value you taught us was the value of forgiveness .. from time to time we individually or collectively had disagreements, scrapped, and even fell out with the law .. whilst you left us in no doubt as to what was right or wrong, you always forgave us and supported us. To look beyond the immediate hurt or madness and to consider the effect on others not directly involved like our children or other kin.
The Fifth value was to participate and that the return was directly proportional to ones effort. - Dad, you lived this by your total application in business, work, the Church, Committee work, sporting interests and being a great Dad and Koro - Mum, you lived this by being a great care giver and wonderful Mother - washing on the bank of the dam up Kimbolton road ..cooking over a wood range .. cooking beautiful scones .. your famous pickles .. always putting on meals for whanau and visitors.
Each one of your sons, daughters and mokopuna could relate many many special memories about you two at this your 60th anniversary but time will not permit that tonight. They did agree with the five values which you two have demonstrated to us by the way you have lived. To summarise:
Firstly - Whanau is our first source of strength;
Second - Value our cultural heritage;
Third - Respect for God
Fourth - The power of forgiveness; and
The Fifth Value is - To participate and give every thing our best shots
In return for all of your gifts all we can say is, "thank you, thank you, thank you and remind you, that all of us, love you both very much".
Our waiata was our whanau anthem "United we stand, Divided we fall etc"
Page last updated 13 Jan 2010
