Interview with Jock McEwen

Jock McEwen was born in 1915. Talks about involvement in a carving project organised by Apirana Ngata. Talks about the origins of Ngati Poneke, based on a church service at St Thomas', Newtown, led by Rangiatea Church minister, Paora Temuera, for which he was pianist. Talks about Kingi Tahiwi, the Native Department's chief interpreter, who initiated the formal choir. Mentions practices at Riria Walker's mother, Hinga Hunter's house, where he was pianist. Mentions Tahiwi's siblings, Henry, Hinehou and Renal, who formed the group Te Tahiwi and recorded in Sydney. Mentions Purihura Heketa from Ngati Kahungunu teaching the poi and action song, and the women's leader, Miriama Heketa.

Describes how Tahiwi would compose songs on his banjo and then McEwen would work out full parts on the piano. Mentions that Poneke stands for 'Port Nick' and the history of some Wellington Maori place names. Mentions Ngati Poneke providing entertainment at the Centennial Exhibition. Mentions being in the Home Defence force during World War II and his career after the war. Mentions Wai Parata (pianist), Aunty Dovey Katene (foundation tutor), Fred Katene (club secretary), Francie Mitchell, Puna Cooper, Witarina Harris, and the two presidents after Kingi Tahiwi, his brothers Pirimi and Henare Tahiwi. Mentions Pakeha members, including Stephen (Tipene) O'Regan. Mentions the Ngati Poneke Maori Association as umbrella organisation for other Maori groups. Mentions Maori picnics at Hutt Park or Whakatiki and estimates there were 400 Maori living in greater Wellington before the war. Mentions that Mrs Heketa taught the old waiata to the Club. Talks about Apirana Taylor and the Akaroa Centennial.

Interviewer(s) - Jonathan Dennis

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

Finding Aids: Abstract Available - transcript(s) available OHA-3656; MSDL-0153 (file McEwan.doc, side one).

Search dates: 1937 - 1948

Alternative form available: Listening copy OHLC-008831