Interview with Mairatea Tahiwi

Mairatea Tahiwi was born in Lower Hutt in 1908. Mentions nursing training in Auckland, catching Tuberculosis (TB), recuperating in a Waipawa sanitorium, and living in Otaki and Palmerston North. Mentions husband, Prim Tahiwi, his World War I service, teaching, and work as the only post-war Maori employee at Wellington hospital. Talks about volunteer work for Colonel Hempthal of Maori Welfare during World War II, signing the influx of Maori women into Wellington onto the census. Talks about visiting them in hotels, factories and restaurants and their poor working and living conditions. Talks about reports compiled by by Ngati Poneke Tribal Committee Chairman, to Hon P K Paikea, Minister in Charge of Maori War Effort, describing plight of young Wellington Maori women, that were based on her welfare work. Mentions Polly Nathan's support for her Red Cross work.

Talks about the Wellington Tribal Committee, established in 1947, its welfare officers, and controller Rangi Royal. Describes Committee members, including Tom Parata, Charlie Bennett, Kingi Tahiwi, Lady Pomare, Pete Tahiwi, John Mason, Takina, Wyn Smiler, Philip Tamahore, Mrs Elsmore and herself, and recalls Kingi Tahiwi was chairman. Talks about involvement in Ngati Poneke and the concert party. Refers to the attraction of the American marines in Wellington. Talks about the Wellington Tribal Committee's role in establishing the Maori wardens, mentions warden Mrs Hina Walker and her daughter Riria. Mentions 18 years of committee work for Alexandra Homes, for pregnant single women, and involvement in Arohata prison. Recalls that Queenie Te Tau and Lord Tamihana were the first Maori Welfare Officers.

Interviewer(s) - Jonathan Dennis

Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-010545

Quantity: 1 C90 cassette(s). 1 transcript(s) and 1 copy. 1.30 Hours and minutes Duration.

Finding Aids: Abstract Available - transcript(s) available OHA 3649; partial digital transcript at MSDL-0153 (file Maria3.doc).

Search dates: 1939 - 1948

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

Alternative form available: Listening copy OHLC-005567