Places

Date: 23 May 1997

From: Te Roroa Maori life stories project

By: Ambler, Meti, 1911-2001

Reference: OHInt-0568/05

Description: Meti Ambler was born 1911 in Kokohuia, South Hokianga.Talks about her father Tango Raumati Te Whata and her mother Whetu Karehu Taimona and names her brothers and sisters. Talks about her childhood in Waipoua, her mothers weaving skills; construction of nikau houses; rain cloaks; extracting kauri gum; retention rights of Maori discoverers of gum. Recalls the abundance of seafood, their gardens and animals in Waipoua; prayer services. Talks about Iehu Moetara and his wives. Recalls experiences at Omapere school; language issues; Whina Cooper's vision for a bi-cultural N.Z. society. Relates about Omapere family home; grandmother Erana Taimona's death; employment experiences for Andrewes, Baker, McLean families. Reflects on teenage social life at Opononi, Rangi Point, Hokianga; the dance band. Recalls objections to her marriage to Daniel Rowland Ambler; move to Oakley Whangarei; experiences at Oue; return to farm in Waimamaku; son's recollections of father; Waimamaku Beach Road School and Waiotemarama School. Meti talks about husband's opposition to her attending Maori hui and tangihanga and to their children speaking Maori. Names their seven children and refers to husband's death. Mentions driving farm trucks; retirement in Omapere; personal social activities; son in-law working family farm. Publication - A chapter about Meti Ambler's mother Whetu Te Whata, 1876 - 1945, was written by Kiri Matthews for 'The Book of New Zealand Women' edited by Charlotte MacDonald, 1991 pp 670 - 671. Interviewer(s) - Garry Hooker Accompanying material - Whakapapa of Meti Ambler included in abstract Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-008435 - 008436; OHLC-006574 - 006575 Quantity: 2 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 2 Hours Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-2618.

Date: 19 Aug 1998

From: Southland oral history project

By: Dawson, Ailsa, active 1998; McMillan, Mary Ferguson, 1908-

Reference: OHInt-0464/15

Description: Mary McMillan was born in Invercargill in 1908 along with her twin brother Andrew. Describes her family and memories of living at Moa Flat where her father managed Howell's Estate. Describes the death of Mr Howell in a buggy accident and purchase of a farm near Waituna. Mentions cobalt deficiency and sheep deaths. Notes her father died from pernicious anaemia caused by the lack of cobalt. Recalls attending school at Waituna, childhood games (rounders and marbles), walking to school, first motor cars she saw, a diphtheria epidemic and attending Technical College in Invercargill. Recalls the house her father built of red pine with a superheater and a wash-house. Describes how her parents died when she was twenty and she and her sister brought up the younger children. Recalls bachelor and spinster balls, dances, card evenings, tennis games and the opening of the hall. Mentions knitting for soldiers in World War II. Talks about washing day and cooking for fifteen threshing mill workers for three meals a day for a week. Describes the dairy factory at Oteramika and the making of Stilton cheese by Mr Saxelby at Woodlands. Mentions a rabbit canning factory and linen flax factory. Notes the use of linen flax during the war. Describes marrying neighbour Alexander McMillan and moving to Waituna. Interviewer(s) - Ailsa Dawson Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-008618 Quantity: 1 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 1 interview(s). 1 Hours Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-2692. Photos of Mary McMillan in 1963 and 1998

Date: 6 May 1999 - 06 May 1999

By: Martin, Maureen Ellen Patricia, 1923-1999

Reference: OHColl-0458/1

Description: Maureen Martin was born in Hawera in 1923. Gives details of her Irish background. Describes how her father worked for the Public Works Department on dams and tunnels throughout the North Island. Talks about the Mangahao Dam Public Works Camp where Maureen lived in early childhood. Notes that her father was working as a tunneller on the Tawa Deviation. Discusses his interest in politics and the effect on him of World War I. Focuses on her childhood in the Khandallah Public Works Camp from 1928 to 1940. Includes detailed information about their home, family, school, games, camp and social life. Comments on attitudes towards the camp. Discusses employment after leaving school, particularly her work at the Prestige Hosiery Factory in Wellington. Interviewer(s) - Pip Desmond Accompanying material - Transcript of an interview with Maureen Martin by her grandson Liam Martin about the 1951 watersiders strike Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-007157 - OHC-007159 Quantity: 3 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 1 interview(s). Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-1763. Photos of Maureen Martin from 1926 to 1943; photos of the Mangahao Dam public Works Camp and the Khandallah Public Works Camp in the 1920s

Date: 8 April 1992 - 08 Apr 1992

From: Maniapoto Archives Oral History Project: He Taonga Tuku Iho

By: Kohe-Love, Matiu, active 1992; Taute, Tama Tauke, 1920-1995

Reference: OHInt-0085-04

Description: Tama Tauke Taute gives details of his whakapapa and describes his brothers and sisters, wife and marriage, adopted children, school years at Marokopa, history of Marokopa, how Marokopa got its name and other place names named by Ruaputahanga, Whatihua and Ruaputahanga Marae, history and points of interest relating to the surrounding hills, names of the ancestors that used to live at Marokopa, poukai history at Marokopa and surviving kaumatua at present time and tribal affiliations. Waiata is sung by three kuia; Mrs Taute, Mona Kete and Duxy Kete. Gives in depth description of the Marokopa marae including explanation of Tupuna Whare, Whare Kai, flagpole and reason for flag, poukai, history of the marae, housing and schools in the old days, hui held at the marae, stories about the Marokopa Taniwha. Gives history of Moeatoa and Te Rauparaha, his school years, people coming to fish kahawai and the different rocks named by Ruaputahanga. Finishes with karakia. Language - and English Venue - Marokopa Marae Abstracted by - Jason Paahi Recorded by - Place of recording Jackson Tutaki (Audio technician); Mrs M Tauariki (Video technician) Interviewer(s) - Matiu Kohe Love Venue - Marokopa Marae, Waitomo Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-004451, OHV-1159 Quantity: 1 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 2 videocassette(s). 1 Hours Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-0747.