1982 Te Puna Wai Kōrero Series

Rights Information
Year
1982
Reference
45601
Media type
Audio
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Rights Information
Year
1982
Reference
45601
Media type
Audio
Categories
Māori radio programs
Radio programs
Sound recordings
Duration
00:20:00
Taonga Māori Collection
Yes
Credits
RNZ Collection
Te Ua, Te Rina, Interviewee
te Ua, Henare, 1933-2007, Interviewer

Hēnare te Ua introduces the programme with a recording of the waiata "He Putiputi Koe" - an action song composed by the late Ta Apirana Ngata which marked the start of the era of the modern action song. The tune "You're Just a Flower From an Old Bouquet", was popular just after the turn of the 20th century.

Sir Apirana was born in 1874. He attended Te Aute College, and entered Parliament in 1905. He was knighted in 1927, and became Minister of Native Affairs a year later. He died in 1950, and is buried in the ancestral urupa at Waiomatatini.

Mrs Te Rina te Ua, eldest daughter of the late Sir Apirana and in her 85th year, speaks [with her son broadcaster Hēnare te Ua], about her memories of Sir Apirana as a father. Like many of his large family, she was raised by relatives when young, as he and their mother had to travel so much with his work.

He insisted the children write letters to him in Māori - and that was the language they spoke mostly at home as well. She recalls how he would compose songs in their home at Waiomatatini, and the family would help suggest actions. She explains the story behind one of his famous compositions "E Rere Ra Te Kirimi", known as "The Cream Song."

She recalls his friendship with other Māori leaders such as Sir Peter Buck [Te Rangi Hiroa]; and his favourite foods.

Two songs included in the programme are "He Putiputi Koe" and "E Rere Ra Te Kirimi", recorded as sung by a Ngāti Porou group at Hiruharama in 1955.