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Date: 15 May 1991

From: Maori Women's Welfare League: Interviews

By: Harris, Witarina Te Miriarangi Parewahaika, 1906-2007; Szaszy, Mira, 1921-2001

Reference: OHInt-0602-47

Description: Witarina Harris nee Mitchell born 1906 in Ohinemutu, Rotorua. Mentions being raised by her grandfather and refers to parents Nataria Rotohiko Haupapa and Niramona Zealand Mitchell, Ngati Whakaue hapu, Te Arawa waka. Mentions Tarewa, Taharangi, Te Papaiouru, Tamatekapua. Discusses the importance of living on the marae as a child and exposure to all things Maori. Talks about the arrival of Christianity in Rotorua and Ngati Whakaue choosing to belong to the Catholic Church or Church of England. Mentions attending Convent school in Rotorua and work after leaving school. Recalls working as a typist for Mr Hamilton at the first Maori Arts and Crafts Institute. Describes being recruited in 1928 to star in the film 'Under the Southern Cross' - explains involvement of Apirana Ngata and recalls later becoming Ngata's typist for 3 years. Refers to 1932 marriage to Reg Harris and talks about their children. Discusses living in a pakeha world in Wellington and the importance of joining the Ngati Poneke Young Maori Club. Mentions Mother's Union. Talks about joining the Ngati Poneke branch of the Maori Women's Welfare League in 1951. Describes branch activities including 'progress days'. Discusses the effects of urban migration on Maori - the diminishing use of the Maori language and the changing role of the League in supporting families. Compares traditional Maori life with the lives of young Maori in modern times. Mentions belonging to Awhina Whanau with Hine Potaka. Discusses the role of faith in her life. Describes meeting Jonathan Dennis in 1982 and becoming kaumatua of the New Zealand Film Archive. Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-006201; OHLC-004891 Quantity: 1 C90 cassette(s). 1 transcript(s). 55 Minutes Duration.

Date: 03 Mar 1990

From: Maori Women's Welfare League: Interviews

By: Arahanga, Ruku Te Kauki Taiaroa, 1924-2005; Szaszy, Mira, 1921-2001

Reference: OHInt-0602-58

Description: Ruku Arahanga nee Tuatini born in 1925. Refers to father Te Reimana Tuatini, Ngati Uenuku of Te Ati Haunui a Paparangi from the Whanganui River; mother Mekura Teone Wiwi Taiaroa, Ngati Hauiti, Ngai Tahu, Ngati Mamoe. Talks about growing up in Raetihi, family activities, entertainment and Sundays as a child. Describes moving to Wellington aged 18, working at the Welfare Department, joining the Ngati Poneke Maori Club. Recalls entertaining servicemen and mentions club members Kingi Tahiwi, Fred Katene and Miriama Heketa. Describes socialising, attending dances, meeting, courtship and marriage to Te Rangi Marie Arahanga. Talks about their 6 children and cousin Te Mairiki Ellison Taiaroa. Discusses involvement in the Maori Women's Welfare League, role of Rumatiki Wright, change from a Health League to a Welfare League and the formation of new League branches. Refers to members of the Raetihi branch including Edna Chadwick and Moewai Tiwha. Talks about the work of the branch, helping families having hardship, making blankets, supplying vegetables to families in Pipiriki and down the Whanganui River. Discusses move to the South Island, formation of the Taumutu branch of the League, own continuing involvement and the achievements of the Maori Women's Welfare League. Mentions the Te Puea Trophy. Quantity: 1 C60 cassette(s). 1 transcript(s). 45 Minutes Duration.

Date: 07 Jan 1992

From: Sound recordings about Ngati Poneke

By: Warren, Frances Benny Watson, active 1935-1991; Grace, Patricia Frances, 1937-; Ramsden, Irihapeti Merenia, 1946-2003

Reference: OHInt-0600-05

Description: Frances Warren was born in Westport. Mentions her father's death from the influenza epidemic on return from World War II. Discusses tribal links with Ngai Tahu, Ngati Apa, Rangitane, how her mother was a Mahuweka, and her father Rihari Watson and grandmother Heni Turoa. Mentions that at home the adults spoke Maori, but English to the children. Mentions writing to a Maori trust board on land rent issues for her mother. Mentions her whanau in the McDonald, Watson, Matai, Fitzgerald, and Te Awiawi whanau. Describes moving to Wellington, work at Levy's tailoring, poor pay, and a Newtown boarding house. Mentions Mrs Grey, Lady Pomare, Henry Ngata, Jock McEwan, Bill Parker, the Sinclairs and her friend Lucy Gunson. Recalls meeting people and whanau at Poneke Club nights. Mentions Club elders and leaders such as Mrs Heketea, Dovey Katene, Kingi, the Bennetts. Talks about singing lessons with Mrs Potiki, and monthly church services. Mentions Apriana Ngata, Pakeha interest in the Club, and talks about Ngati Raukawa predominence. Recalls Tahiwi family, Bella Winiata, and Sammy Tahiwi, and playing hockey for the Club. Mentions the Club's original name, 'Poneke' and the original committee members, costumes and fund raising. Mentions entertaining the troops in World War II songs, action songs and poi, and being the first group to use electric light bulbs on the long fishing poi. Interviewer(s) - Patricia Grace Interviewer(s) - Irihapeti Ramsden Quantity: 1 C60 cassette(s). 1 Hours Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - transcript(s) available OHA-3651; MSDL-0153 (files Warren.doc, Warren2.doc).

Date: 26 March 1995 - 23 Mar 1995

From: Sound recordings about Ngati Poneke

By: Harris, Witarina Te Miriarangi Parewahaika, 1906-2007; Dennis, Jonathan Spencer, 1953-2002

Reference: OHInt-0600-07

Description: Witarina Harris was born at Ohinemutu, Rotorua in 1906. Talks about whanau, mother Matareia (Ngati Whakaue rangatira), mother's father Rautoko Haupapa, father James Whelan Mitchell, grandfather Henry Walter Mitchell and father's mother Whakarato. Talks about returning to family marae with Ngati Poneke and upsetting her family by staying on the tauiwi side with Ngati Poneke instead of on her family's side. Mentions two families hospitable to young Maori in Wellington, the Ngahanas and the Irihateras. Mentions collecting kaimoana from different Wellington bays, and cooking paua. Talks about Wellington's Granny Raukara. Mentions brothers and sisters, many of whom died young from whooping cough. Talks about growing up with her grandparents. Mentions getting the cane at her convent school for speaking Maori, and then being caned again on returning home as punishment. Mentions that children were not involved in important occasions at the Ngati Whakaue marae. Interviewer(s) - Jonathon Dennis Quantity: 1 printed abstract(s) only. 1 Hours Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - transcript(s) available OHA-3658; MSDL-0153 (file Witarina.doc). Search dates: 1920 - 1950