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Hēnare Te Ua speaks with Mihipeka Edwards, or Aunty Mihi as she is affectionately known. She is in her seventies and has lived most of her life in the Wellington region.
"Mihipeka" is the title of her book, and she tells the story in her own words with assistance from author Patricia Grace.
Mihipeka's mother died of the 'flu epidemic when she was three weeks old and she was brought up by her grandparents in rural poverty. She talks of her childhood experiences and she recalls vividly being punished for speaking Māori at school and being ridiculed for wearing clothes made out of flour and sugar sacks. She also speaks about her idyllic days of fishing and the strong spiritual side of her family.
Mihipeka became ashamed of her Māori heritage and lived the life of a pākēha for 30 years before returning to her own culture and language.