Interview with Hiwi Tauroa

New Zealand Race Relations Conciliator from 1980 to 1986. Born in Okaiawa, Taranaki, in 1927. Talks about his family background - gives reasons for being called Hiwi rather than his given name Edward. Mentions that his father spoke Maori - talks about the Latin-speaking Kaumatua at Kawhia and his father's important friends. Recalls attending primary school in Waima, Okaiawa and Kawhia - mentions the teachers, other students and travelling to school. Talks about learning Latin at Wesley College and his reasons for continuing his studies at Hawera Technical College - mentions working on a Jersey stud farm at Oeo during the school holidays. Discusses why he did choral work when he became a teacher - mentions singing at Runanga O Whaingaroa in Kaeo. Mentions Pakeha attitudes towards the establishment of Runanga and the reasons for his involvement in Whangaroa College. Recalls how he met his wife Pat.

Discusses attending Auckland Teachers Training College and the reasons he agreed to teach at Wellington College. Tallks about accepting a position at Okato District High School in Taranaki. Mentions the students. Mentions principal Lloyd Tregoweth at Okaihau District High School. Recalls how he coached All Black Grant Fox's father. Also mentions the school's rugby team winning the Moascar Cup. Talks about accepting the position of principal at Tuakau College - mentions some of the parents' reaction to his appointment, his involvement with the Education Department, and the Maori students at Tuakau College. Discusses his later appointment as principal of Whangaroa College.

Mentions how he was approached to become Race Relations Conciliator - mentions Sir James Henare, Piripi Mokena, Harry Dansey and Jim McLay. Talks about Human Rights Commissioner Pat Downey's reaction to the appointment. Talks about the staff of the Office of the Race Relations Conciliator - mentions Pita Sharples. Describes the changing nature of cases brought to the Office during his time as Conciliator. Discusses gangs and how the Office remedied the lack of outreach programmes - recalls playing rugby at Mt Eden prison and Office's contact with gangs. Defines race relations - describes race relation networks and how they were set up. Discusses the lack of understanding about race relations. Talks about New Zealand's record of race relations - discusses the Treaty of Waitangi negotiations and a possible land dispute in Kaeo. Discusses the future of race relations in New Zealand and the importance of the media in reporting race relations.

Talks about local schools and the importance of having local input into local issues - recalls the reason for establishing youth forums. Discusses the importance of the education initiatives undertaken by the Office. Discusses his appointment to the Committee of Youth and Law in Our Municipal Society in 1981 - mentions Tau Henare. Talks about the establishment of the Ethical Affairs councils. Discusses biculturalism and multiculturalism. Mentions a trip to China with the China Friendship Society and the establishment of the China New Zealand Maori (CHINZMA) - mentions Rewi Alley. Discusses the concept of whanaungatanga and family - gives comparisons between Tikanga Maori and Pakeha customs.

Talks about the 1981 Springbok Tour to New Zealand - recalls a visit to South Africa around the same time. Talks about Pacific Island rugby players and the All Blacks. Discusses the use of the haka by the All Blacks.

Discusses overseas trips while Race Relations Conciliator - recalls trip to the United Nations in Geneva and a trip to Wales and Ireland. Mentions Draft Declarations on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and relations with American Indian groups at the United Nations. Recalls the building of the Whare Tipuna room in the New Zealand Embassy in Beijing in 1986 - elaborates on how the room was given the name 'He Pakeaka' (Pakiaka). Mentions the Totara wood panels that were carved by different iwi and the role of the carver Paki Harrison.

Access Contact - See Oral History Librarian

Interviewer(s) - Megan Hutching

Accompanying material - Copy of 'He Pakiaka' by Patricia Tauroa, a booklet on the Whare Tipuna room at the New Zealand Embassy, Beijing, China; copies of published articles from magazines and newspapers

Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-012719, OHC-012720, OHC-012721, OHC-012722

Quantity: 4 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 3.30 Hours and minutes Duration.

Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-5447

Abstract Available - transcript(s) available.

Photocopied articles include copies of photographs of Hiwi Tauroa

Search dates: 1927 - 1999

Processing information: Record updated 28 October 2022 to clarify posiiton of Lloyd Tregoweth at Okaihau District High School.

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