Interview with Louisa Warren

Louisa Warren describes her mother's dreams and her father's authoritarianism; Joe Walker's background; being kicked out of school; school holiday activities; chores; brother, Jim Elkington; Whareatea; Whangarae; mentions Elder Mackelby, Pirihira and Rauenata Kohe, Fanny Kawharu, William Kawharu; eldest brother, James Elkington; father's occupation; how the Nikau home was burnt; reason for leaving Tinui; mentions Toro Romas' (grandfather) farm; Issac Rei and family, their land at Whareatea; Turi and Huirangi Ruruku; match marriage of Arthur Elkington and Ao Manuirirangi; bride's dowry; removal of house in Whangarae to Whareatea; match marriage of Hahi Kawharu to Pauline Elkington; Pirihira Kohe's death; memories of Huirangi Ruruku; children who attended school at Whareatea; eeling at Moawhango; chores; moving to Haukawakawa.

Recalls legend of Turongo and Whatihua; courtship, betrothal and marriage of Turongo and Mahinarangi, their whakapapa; relates the legend of how Tupahau became known as Toa Rangitira; mentions Tamure and their expertise in Tuturu Tohunga; relates legend of Kaiapa and Puhanga; mentions Te Hope, Whareiaia; sacking of Kaiapas' pa; speculates as to why Ngati Koata left Kawhia; recites whakapapa from Kaiapas to her grandmother, Maria Tuo (Hukaroa) and from Te Hope and Puhanga to great grandfather, Te Ruruku; talks of connection between Apihai and Potatau Te Wherowhero; describes an encounter with Te Rauparaha; the taking of Rei Uhiwaeroa by Ropooma; marriage of Te Ruruku and Rei Uhiwaeroa, their children Matiu Te Ruruku and Roma Te Ruruku; mentions Ian Matiu Ruruku, Arthur Elmsley, Wallace Webber; describes French Pass; French Pass dances; Bill Turner; how Ngati Koata gained possession of land; Stephens Island Lighthouse; Te Rauparaha's invasion of Whakapuaka; the wrecking of the 'Delaware'; mentions Kauhoe and Huria Matenga; various iwi in area; granting of land by Koata to Kauhoe; the meeting of Whata Green and Dovey Katene.

Talks about death of Waihaere; previous occupants of D'Urville Island; feelings of Ngati Kuia people for Ngati Koata; holidays in Blenheim with Titi McDonald; John McDonald; origin of Patete, mentions wife Ruihi Takuna; mentions her (Louisa Warren's) grandmother; mother's chores; proposal by Jim Hemi; mentions Sarah Hemi; Tom Simons; match between Joe Elkington and Charlotte Kohe; elopement of Joe Elkington and Titi McDonald; mustering with husband; cravings for shandy; living at Port Hardy after her marriage; mentions Hemi Walker, Percy Kotua; details meeting first husband; friendship with Issac Walker.

Describes birth of first child; husband's personality; Tony Walker; move to Canvastown; describes home; the burning of Toro Pou's home; cooking facilities; the local pub; Joe Hippolites, Toro Riria; connection to Darby Smith; mother's spiritual experience around death of Raniera Kawharu; the Hautai Cemetery; Toro Pou and Tere Smith; attending Paki reunion; recalls second husband's employment; marriage of Tom Tupaea; Mary Maaka; the return to Waepeke; visiting sister at Mohaka; memories of local taxi driver, John Ruru; mentions Bob Hippolite, Tony Walker; illness and death of first husband from tuberculosis (TB); funeral arrangements of Kotua baby; death of Joe Rene; tangi at Whangarae; her baby's death; death of Snow Hemi; mentions closing of cemetery; Turi and Roma Elkington; sister Polly; Sophie Kotua; Lucy and Rangi Elkington: Jo-Jo Warren; Manu Walker; Ben Hippolite; moving back to Madsen Bay; catching mutton birds; loneliness when children go to Wharariki; her physical ability during the shearing season; Hazel Ruruku and Nui Elkington.

Accompanying material - whakapapa sheet

Venue - Hamilton

Interviewer(s) - Josephine Paul

Venue - 95c Tramway Road, Hamilton

Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-004481 - OHC-004486

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

Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete AB 767.

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