Interview with Wiremu Parker

Wiremu Parker was born at Makarika, Waipiro Bay in 1914. His grandfather was William Parker from Durham, England who married a young Maori woman, Ereti Waititi. Describes how his mother had thirteen children, eleven of whom died in infancy, and died after the birth of her thirteenth child. Comments on rates of Maori mortality. Talks about his mother, Ruth Teoharepe Collier, her gentle nature, use of the Maori language and his bilingualism. Describes visiting his Pakeha antecedents on his father's side. Notes that his father was also Maori. Comments that he has two fatherlands and moves between Maori and Pakeha worlds.

Discusses his Ngati Porou antecedents from Rarotonga and traces his own whakapapa from Porourangi. Interprets the Ngati Porou tradition of the waka (canoe) petrified in stone on the top of Mount Hikurangi. Recalls his grandfather, Sam Collier, who was a drover. Discusses his father spending part of his childhood on Makarika Station and how he built a home halfway between Makarika and Hiruharama. Mentions the development of Hiruharama and Waipiro Bay. Talks about childhood: not starting school till the age of nine as it was too dangerous to cross the river when younger; the importance of the horse then; corporal punishment. Notes that his father farmed his way through the Depression. Mentions that his maternal grandmother was the chief mat maker for their meeting house. Refers to Sir Apirana Ngata and the Land Development Scheme.

Recalls the tangi as it used to be. Comments on the loss of part of it and the survival of the `externals'. Emphasises the importance of speech-making at the tangi. Comments on kohanga reo, the state of the Maori language, the people selected to travel with the Te Maori exhibition and his feeling that Maori have been required to change more than Pakeha in working towards biculturalism. Analyses taniwha stories. Describes change by the 1940s. Mentions Dr Harold Turbott of Te Puia Hospital who was responsible for Maori changes in attitude to hospitals. Talks about midwifery and Maori medicine. Recalls Hiruharama teachers Mr and Mrs David Miller and Doug Ball, the Senior Inspector of Maori schools.

Describes attending Te Aute College where Maori language was not allowed except at the weekends. Comments on the role of the Mormon Church in the death of the Maori language and encouragement of the language by the Anglican and Roman Catholic Churches. Describes the effect of the Napier earthquake on Te Aute College. Talks about playing rugby, attending Victoria University and marrying Matakaiohe Takarangi, a dental nurse, in 1940. Mentions their family.

Discusses Sir Apirana Ngata and the chiefly tradition of which he was part. Comments on the importance of a chief showing skill in waiata. Compares some waiata, especially `Tutere Moana' with writing by John Milton. Analyses the waiata `Poia Atu Taku Poi' by Erenora Taratoa (Ngati Raukawa). Refers to Whatarangi Winiata. Recalls the week long tangi of Meriana Tairua, the wife of Tuta Nihoniho in the 1920s. Comments that Ngati Porou did not have land confiscations and women have always had the right to speak on the paepae tapu.

Recalls the reception for General Freyberg in the Wellington Town Hall about 1942 and Ngata's speech there. Comments on his special gifts, ability to interpret Maori to Pakeha and vice-versa and his ability as an educator. Talks about the influence of Sir James Carroll. Refers to Paraire Paikea, Sir Eruera Tirikatene, Charlie Ryland, Henare Poananga, Timi Hei (Jimmy Hay), Dr Maui Pomare, Dr Tutere Wirepa, Dr Peter Buck, Dr Peter Tapsell, Sir Paul Reeves, Haare Hongi (Henry Stowell) and Reverend Rewiti Kohere. Talks about the skills of Sylvia Ashton-Warner. Discusses Hawaiki, religion and the book `The golden bough' by James Frazer. Comments on the visit of Bishop Frederick Bennett with Ngati Porou.

Tape nine is the presentation of the honorary doctorate degree to Wiremu Parker at Victoria University of Wellington.

Language - English and Maori

Venue - Lower Hutt : 1986

Interviewer(s) - Hugo Manson

Venue - Mr Parker's home in Lower Hutt

Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-001287; OHC-001288; OHC-001289; OHC-001290; OHC-001291; OHC-001292; OHC-001293; OHC-001294; OHC-001763

Quantity: 9 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 6 Hours Duration.

Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete AB 277.

Photo of Wiremu Parker in 1959 and later, as a broadcaster

Original recordings not available for playback. Surrogate copies will be provided.