[Mrs Te Reiti Grace interview]

This an unedited oral history-style interview with 91 year old Mrs Te Reiti Grace of Tokaanu. She was the wife of Puataata Alfred Grace [O.B.E.] She speaks in a mixture of English and te reo Māori. Another unidentified woman is also present and contributes comments occasionally. The interviewer is Roy Arnerich of Rotorua.

Te Reiti Grace was born Te Reiti Tamara Weatherley. She was schooled at Tokaanu. Mr Hamilton was a teacher who left to teach at Turakina. One of her daughters was Agnes Mary Hikairo Christy. Te Reiti's father, [Edward] Weatherly, met her mother at Moawhango. Her mother's name was Tamara Mihiterina or Tamara Te Kaka. Lived at Paapaakai (on shores of Lake Rotoaira.)

Te Reiti was the eldest child, then Erina who married into the Chase family. Third daughter was Mihiterina, who was adopted by Rawiri Ketu.

Family then lived at Kaitieke and Retaruke. Te Kere was the name of a tohunga there. Father, Weatherly, became a surveyor. Tureiti Te Rangi and a European went to search out for Mr Weatherly when he went missing on a pig-hunting expedition (c. 1900).

Makiwhara Te Rangi was a local identity. His brother was Tohi Te Rangi. After Te Reiti's father's death, she was taken back to Paapaakai. Te Keepa Puataata and wife Ngapera had no children of their own, and Whakairo Mohoaonui and Te Reiti were their whangai among others.

Tokaanu was a big town in those days. John Edward Grace (Te Reiti's father-in-law) had the first hotel at Tokaanu, and later sold his interests to Mr Blake. John Grace built a home at Otanepoto (Tongariro).

Alfred (Puataata) Grace was a farmer until 1914, after which time he went to Gisborne, for a period of three years, along with his wife. Lawrence Grace was a brother. Alfred then became an interpreter in the Māori Land Court at Gisborne for three years.

Te Reiti was married in 1913. Tuwharetoa (Bill) Grace was her first-born son. Arthur Grace was another brother of her husband. Alfred and Arthur began the Ngāti Tuwharetoa Trust Board, of which Alfred was the first Secretary, over a period of 33 years. For this work amongst many other commitments, Alfred received the O.B.E.

[After a break, the second part the interview begins.]

Mrs Grace describes the home and family of Tureiti Te Heuheu, grandfather of Sir Hepi Te Heuheu. His wife was buried at Waihi. She talks about their children: Hoani (father of Hepi Te Heuheu); Hepi, who had no children, though married; Te Maare who married Joe Moon and Rihi who married Te Hehe Tamaira. Tureiti became an MP. He bought a home in Wellington, and named it Tongariro. His sister, Mrs Lawrence Grace was living there, her husband also being an M.P.

She tells a story of rebuilding of whare puni at Tokaanu and a visit by iwi from Wairarapa.

She talks about the history of Hurikareao (a taniwha?). Mentions a pumice bluff. Where the Poutu River empties into the Waikato [ or Tongariro?], at the Dreadnought Pool, was a pa called Te Ikahopu located there, on an island. No remains of an island can be found today. Over a period of time, this island was washed away. The tupapaku that had been located on the island had been exhumed and taken to Pouorongo. A whare puni located there was named Waikari. This had been destroyed by fire. At the crossing of the Hautu, a pa called Te Horoeka, had been located, on another island belonging to the Ngāti Turangi. Nihoriki was a waahi tapu. Kohineheke disappeared here. Horoeka, the island, also disappeared over a period of time. Hurikareao was said to be responsible for disappearances. Hurikareao also said to be responsible for the diversion of the Tongariro River from its original course.

Te tuahine o Te Heuheu Tureiti, ko Te Maari Matuahu. Said to have fallen in love with another woman. Mrs Grace sings a number of pao, composed by Te Maari about unrequited love: (1). "No wai te motu..." (2). E wha nga wha..." (3). "Kōrero mai te tira kahurangi..." (he waiata mo tana mokopuna a Te Rangitamoe). (4). "Te Heuheu, te kingi..."