Māori programmes 1976: Tangihanga Leo Fowler

Tangihanga Leo Fowler:

Intro: "Popo" (Waihirere)

Leo Fowler was a man well-known for his numerous and well known diverse interests in all things Māori.

He was given a traditional tangihanga at Waihirere Marae in Gisborne. He was made a member of the Ngapuhi tribe many years ago and given a valuable greenstone pekapeka by them.

He now lies alongside his friend Hetekia Te Kani Te Ua, which is as he and the local people wished. Hundreds of mourners attended his tangi, from all over the country to pay their respects, as well as mourners from Samoa and Fiji.

He was closely associated with the Waihirere Māori Club for over twenty years, and as he had requested, his tangi was both a happy and sad occasion. [Excerpt of "Karangatia ra"]

Wiremu Kerekere recounts his broadcasting career, as station manager in Gisborne and then establishing the Māori unit in Wellington. Excerpt of a recording of a group discussion including Leo Fowler, about Māori broadcasting.

Excerpt of speeches at Leo Fowler's farewell from Gisborne in 1964. Kaikorero - Te Kani Te Ua, Henare Ngata, Te Oti Rupe Wawatai [?]

Excerpt of interview by Leo Fowler with Panapa Te Ua, during the filming of 'Songs of their Fathers' which featured Waihirere Māori Club.

He retired from broadcasting in December 1966. Excerpt of his speech made at his retirement. His last public appearance as Head of Māori Programmes was at the Māori Original Songs competition. Excerpt of his speech, saying it was one of the most important things he had done in broadcasting.

The programme ends with a poem he wrote in 1939, which was read at his tangihanga last Saturday.