Interview with Mate Kaiwai

Mate Huataki Kaiwai (nee Ngata) born Waiomatatini ca 1916. Recalls being brought up by grandparents and talks about aspects of childhood, including: hygiene; roasting ovens; discipline; district nurse and medicinal cures; gardens, with reference to Maori planting by the moon; children's games; return to birth parents on reaching school age and attending Waiomatatini School. Recalls speaking Maori language `out of hearing of teachers' and mentions hard work adjusting to speaking English language. Describes secondary education at Hukarere School. Recalls Napier earthquake.

Outlines teaching career, commencing as Junior Assistant at Rangitikei School for about five years, followed by teaching positions at Hiruharama, Waimatatini, then Waipiro. Mentions the Williams family. Considers key to a good school being `a two way thing - school and staff have to be flexible and reach out to community'. Refers to fund raising to get Radio station. Discusses Tattooing. Talks about grandmother's influence on life and her gift for Maori medicine. Lists many medicinal cures. Recalls Cyclone Bola.

Access Contact - see oral history librarian

Interviewer(s) - Roger Caley

Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-008936-008938; OHLC-004583-004585

Quantity: 3 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 2.30 Hours and minutes Duration.

Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-2779.

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

Alternative form available: Listening copies OHLC-004580 - OHLC-004582, and digital copies