Tupaia's Endeavour oral history project

Oral history collection created by filmmaker Lala Rolls and artist Michael Tuffery which documents Māori oral traditions and viewpoints concerning Tahitian navigator Tupaia, the first landings on the East Coast of Aotearoa in 1769, and the impact of Captain James Cook's voyage on the 'Endeavour'.

Interviews were conducted by Michel Tuffery, Paul Tapsell, with Lala Rolls. Interviewees are: Barney Tūpara, Nick Tupara, Jody Wyllie, Victor Walker, Anne McGuire, and Wayne Ngata.

Project recieved funding from the Ministry for Culture and Heritage Awards in Oral History in 2013.

Filmmaker Lala Rolls and artist Michel Tuffery worked together to create 'Tupaia's Endeavour', a documentary based on the life of Tahitian priest and navigator Tupaia who acted as translator between Captain Cook’s crew and Māori, after a bloody first encounter at Poverty Bay/Tūranganui-a-Kiwa in 1769. The documentary has three-part series and feature length versions which feature interviews, re-enactments, art by Michel Tuffery, and the discovery journey undertaken by the film makers and participants themselves in learning about Tuapaia.

As part of the film production, Rolls and Tuffery created an oral history research project focusing on the stories of first contact between Māori, the British, and Tupaia. This collection comprises the six interviews conducted on the East Coast of Aotearoa.

Quantity: 6 Interview(s). 6 printed abstract(s) transcripts. 5 Electronic document(s) digital transcripts. 19 digital photograph(s).

Search dates: 2013 - 2014

Digital content is available only in the Katherine Mansfield reading room.