Four people are interviewed about Pūtiki, Parikino and Koriniti, three settlements linked by the Whanganui river. On the south bank of the river in Putiki, Alwyn Owen joins Rangi Pōkiha (Ngāti Pāmoana, who was born at Koriniti in 1895), and Mrs Takarangi of Pūtiki, [probably Rangitaamo Takarangi?], two respected kaumātua, in conversation.
Mrs Takarangi discusses their place as kaumātua, amongst “the young people”, her concerns with their drinking at such an early age, the importance of reminding them about traditional ways and trying to keep them at school as long as possible. The kaumatua regret that none of their mokopuna speak te reo Māori, but take responsibility for this.
The rural settlement of Parakino is twenty-two miles upriver from Pūtiki, here Owen speaks with Rangi Pōkiha about how the landscape has changed over the past 50-60 years.There are only a handful of occupied houses in what was once a thriving kainga. They visit Mr and Mrs Rātana remaining residents of the Parakino pā settlement. They discuss tūrangawaewae, the fall in population and local kai, including kānga pirau (fermented corn), eels, lamprey, smelts and whitebait.
Fourteen miles further up the Whanganui river, Owen visits Koriniti where Rangi now has a house over-looking the marae. Owen describes the origin of the name Koriniti, Rangi talks about his first home and they both visit the marae, designed by Cliff Whiting, and describe the interior and its use.