Temperance worker, nurse, community leader, writer. Florence Harsant (née Woodhead) was born in New Plymouth, her father was a teacher and taught at various schools throughout Taranaki. He also taught at Native Schools and Florence Harsant spent many years at Waitahanui. She learnt to speak Maori and became the Maori Organiser for the Women's Christian Temperance Union 1913-1914. She went to live in Hahei (Coromandel) in 1916 and lived there till her death in 1994. She married Horace Henry Harsant in 1918. She started up a Country Library Service `B' library in her home in 1952. She wrote an autobiography called `They called me Te Maari' which was published in 1979, and she was awarded the QSM in 1981. See DNZB (Vol 3, 1901-1920, p200-201, H8)
Harsant, Florence Marie, 1891-1994
Harsant, Florence Marie, 1891-1994 : Papers
Date: 1907-1979
By: Harsant, Florence Marie, 1891-1994
Reference: MS-Group-0246
Description: Contains notes and drafts for short stories based on Florence Harsant's life growing up in Maori communities around Wanganui, travelling for the and life in Hahei, Coromandel. Also contains a manuscript entitled "My everyday life as travelling organiser for Maori Women on behalf of the Women's Christian Temperance Union", a narrative based on diaries of a journey, mostly on horseback, through the Bay of Islands, East Coast and Wanganui River regions in 1913 as campaigner for the WCTU. The narrative contains many comments on individuals and on the social attitudes of Maori and Pakeha in the small communities visited, as well as such subjects as the Bay of Islands smallpox epidemic. A series of interviews with Harsant are held in the Oral History Centre of the Library. Other Titles - They called me Te Maari Arrangement: Box not arranged In 1913 Florence Harsant was appointed Maori Organiser for the Women's Christian Temperance Union (WCTU). She travelled, on horseback, from community to commmunity working for the WCTU and assisting during epidemics for several years until ill health forced her to retire. Harsant married soon after and went to live in Hahei, Coromandel in 1918. Quantity: 1 box(es). 1 volume(s). 0.30 Linear Metres. Physical Description: Mss and typescript Provenance: Donor/Lender/Vendor - Florence Harsant, Thames, 1975 (75-288), 1990 (90-258) Processing information: Box not yet listed
Interview with Florence Marie Harsant, QSM
Date: 16 March 1989 - 16 Mar 1989
From: NZOHA Country Library Service Oral History Project
By: Harsant, Florence Marie, 1891-1994
Reference: OHInt-0058/06
Description: Florence Marie Harsant talks about her childhood as the daughter of a school teacher who taught at native schools, her own education and relationship with Maori, learning to speak Maori, her father's attitude to learning Maori and her reading tastes. Notes difference in dialects around the North Island and refers to her autobiography `They called me Te Maari' and the radio programme produced by Alwyn Owen. Discusses her work with the Women's Christian Temperance Union (WCTU) as the Maori organiser in the North Island, her personal hatred of alcohol and having to give up this work because of ill health. Describes going to live in Hahei, the horseback and ferry rides necessary to get there, conditions of life in such a remote place, her marriage to Horace Henry Harsant and her life bringing up her children in Hahei. Recalls her history of library membership, writing to the women's pages of various farm magazines, taking a correspondence course in journalism and her subsequent story writing. Describes why and how she came to set up a Country Library Service `B' library in 1952 in her home at Hahei. Gives details of the library systems used, subscriptions, supply of cataloguing cards, selection process, increase in number of books supplied and the changing nature of users and reading tastes over the years. Describes the routine when the book van was there, talks about the first Field Librarian Joe O'Neill and about having the drivers to stay. Discusses the great importance of reading and having access to books when living in such a remote place and the impact the library has had on the community. Explains the continued difficulties of travel in the area, detailing the ferry service and recalling trips out to have children. Details how she looked after other people's children and teaching school in her own home. Describes her husband's accident and its impact on the family. Discusses her favourite book van drivers Joe O'Neill and Jim Sutherland and making friends through the library. Describes the current library service she runs from her home through the National Library Postal Book Service. Talks about the publicity she has received from writing her book and being awarded the Queens Service Medal (QSM). Venue - Whitianga Interviewer(s) - Judith Fyfe Venue - Mrs Harsant's home at Whitianga Accompanying material - Printed abstract contains list of publication Relationship complexity - Diary and materials held in Manuscripts & Archives at MS-Group-0246 Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-002055, OHC-002056, OHC-002057 Tape numbers - OHA CLS 2714, 2715, 2716, 2717, 2718 Quantity: 3 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 2.30 Hours and minutes Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-0310. Printed abstract contains two portrait photographs of Florence Harsant, one dated ca 1913. Search dates: 1891 - 1989
Powhiri for Florence Harsant. Lower Hutt
Date: 4 Jun 1990 - 04 Jun 1990
From: Florence Maari Harsant Oral History
By: Harsant, Florence Marie, 1891-1994
Reference: OHInt-0209-01
Description: Recording of a Powhiri for Florence Maari Harsant on her entering the Tararua Home for the Aged at Thames on 4 June 1990. The initial Karanga was not recorded. Present were two kuamatua of the Ngati Maru, Tata Brown and Huhere Tukikino, as well as Dawn Wihongi, the Revd Bert Clark, the matron, Mrs Jacobs, and Florence Harsant. Language - and English Venue - Thames : 1990 Interviewer(s) - Margaret Northcroft Venue - Tararua Home for the Aged, Thames Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-003619 - OHC-003620 Quantity: 2 C60 cassette(s). 1 interview(s). Finding Aids: Abstract Available - no abstract(s) available. Search dates: 1891 - 1990
Personal papers
Date: 1994
From: King, Michael (Dr), 1945-2004: Collection
Reference: MS-Papers-8752-029
Description: Papers re Chatham Moriori case before Waitangi Tribunal, and other aspects of Moriori history and biography; re history of Thames Coromandel and proposed history of Catholics in NZ; re biography of Sargeson; obituaries; letters to friends, family, publishers and Colleagues; re his general state of health; re Metro Magazine and Waikato University. Quantity: 1 folder(s).
Correspondence (G-L)
Date: [1990-1996]
From: King, Michael (Dr), 1945-2004: Collection
Reference: 97-042-02/15
Description: Quantity: 1 folder(s). Physical Description: Mss, typescripts and printed matter
File on Florence Harsant
Date: 1993
From: King, Michael (Dr), 1945-2004: Collection
Reference: MS-Papers-8970-014
Description: Quantity: 1 folder(s).
Coromandel people
Date: 1987-1993
From: King, Michael (Dr), 1945-2004: Collection
Reference: MS-Papers-8970-019
Description: Quantity: 1 folder(s).
Correspondence
Date: [1981-1983]
From: King, Michael (Dr), 1945-2004: Collection
Reference: 85-080-02/14
Description: Also includes note from Lyn Quantity: 1 folder(s).
Correspondence - H
Date: 1990-1996
From: King, Michael (Dr), 1945-2004: Collection
Reference: 97-042-01/08
Description: Letters from Florence Harsant written by Joan and Janice Quantity: 1 folder(s). Physical Description: Mss, typescripts and printed matter
Correspondence
Date: [1983-1984]
From: King, Michael (Dr), 1945-2004: Collection
Reference: 85-080-03/01
Description: Identified correspondents entered under Name; also includes cards and letters from Alison [?] Blackhart, Newmarket, Auckland; Tony, Opononi and Thames; Peta, Pukenui; Dulcie, Mt Maunganui; Jeanie; Yvonne, Wanganui and Turakina; Lisl [Heller], Titirangi; [?] Diane Maddison, Titirangi, Auckland; letter to Nan Quantity: 1 folder(s).
Personal papers
Date: 1991
From: King, Michael (Dr), 1945-2004: Collection
Reference: MS-Papers-8752-024
Description: Papers relate to his research into the life of Frank Sargeson; matters re fellowhips at the National Library and Waikato University; involvement with Chatham Islands; work as reviewer for Metro magazine; the Authors Fund; PEN, St Patrick's College Silverstream; family letters, and a large quantity of correspondence from friends, colleagues and fellow authors. Quantity: 1 folder(s).
My everyday life as travelling organiser for Maori women on behalf of the Women's Chris...
Date: 1931 (197-?)
From: Harsant, Florence Marie, 1891-1994 : Papers
By: Harsant, Florence Marie, 1891-1994
Reference: MS-0938
Description: Narrative, based on diaries of journey, mostly on horseback through the Bay of Islands, East Coast and Wanganui River regions in 1913 as campaigner for Women's Christian Temperance Union. Details on many individuals and the social attitudes, Maori and Pakeha, in the small communities visited. Reference to the Bay of Islands smallpox epidemic. Quantity: 1 volume(s) (179 pages). Physical Description: Ms (26 cm; blue boards)
Florence Maari Harsant Oral History
Date: 1990-1992
By: Harsant, Florence Marie, 1891-1994; Northcroft, Margaret, 1940?-
Reference: OHColl-1441
Description: Interview with Florence Harsant, concerning her life with Horace Harsant recorded by Margaret Northcroft in 1990. 5 x 30 minute super VHS video tapes of Florence Harsant, filmed at Hahei on 14-15 May 1990 Two tapes, in Maori, recording the Powhiri given Florence Harsant, when she entered the Tararua Home for the Aged on 14 June 1990. Recording of Florence Harsant (100 years old) presenting her Taniko belt to Tuwharetoa at Pakira Marae, 29 March 1992. Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-003619 - OHC-003620, OHC-019021 - OHC-019023, OHV-1055 - OHV-1059 Quantity: 5 videocassette(s) compact S-VHS. 4 C60 cassette(s). 1 C90 cassette(s). 1 interview(s). 3 event(s). Finding Aids: Abstract Available - no abstract(s) available.
Personal papers
Date: 1990
From: King, Michael (Dr), 1945-2004: Collection
Reference: MS-Papers-8752-023
Description: Papers re involvement with Auckland Institute; PEN, NZ authors' Fund; Fellowship to write biography of Frank Sargeson; Sargeson Trust; family letters; launch of `Moriori'; Fellowship at Waikato University; appeal to Government over sale and closure of timber mill at Opoutere, where he was the staying; book reviewing for Metro magazine; numerous letters to friends and to other writers. Quantity: 1 folder(s).
Maori correspondence
Date: [1984]
From: King, Michael (Dr), 1945-2004: Collection
Reference: 85-080-03/11
Description: Correspondence with Maori or about Maori interests of King; identified persons entered under Name. Includes letters and cards from Heeni, Hamilton; Bill, Porirua; notes, programme and contacts for Nga Poukai mo Te Tau (1984); programme for `Getting involved' and other papers. Many correspondents mention King's illness that year. Quantity: 1 folder(s).
Māori correspondence
Date: 1979-1983
From: King, Michael (Dr), 1945-2004: Collection
By: Miller, John Meredith, 1950-
Reference: 85-080-03/10
Description: Identified correspondents entered under Name; also includes cards and letters from Tiahuia, Kelburn Wellington; Debra Reweti, Auckland Star; Philip of `Tu tangata'; Ani (Te Āniwaniwa Harepeka Nako Bosch), Kaeo; Marg, Christchurch; letter to `My Dear Sweet'; programmes for conferences, notes and other papers. Includes a copy of a Rating Review Forum 1979 paper titled "Māori Land Tenure and the 1967 Rating Act' written by John Meredith Miller, Te Matakite o Aotearoa. Note written by John Meredith Miller contains a reference to a "Dixon St flat" which was located at 143 Dixon St, at the top of the Dixon St steps, up from Willis Street, and occupied by Roger Steele and others. Quantity: 1 folder(s).