As we take this Waitangi Day as an opportunity to rest and reflect on the agreement that shaped New Zealand’s identity, we would like to honour the memory of Kīngi Īhaka along with Tom and Mere Ryan (Wharepapa).
Īhaka’s great-grandfather, Parāone Ngāruhe, signed the Treaty of Waitangi on behalf of Te Aupōuri. He was a champion of Māori language, a composer, broadcaster and translator. As an Anglican leader he contributed greatly to the establishment of the Anglican Church’s conventions of Māori – Pākehā partnership.
Tom and Mere’s story provide a glimpse into the early life of New Zealand. Mere was of noble Māori descent (her father Kamariera Wharepapa was chosen to visit Queen Victoria) while Thomas “Darby” was a disenfranchised, love-child immigrant from London, who made himself into a highly-regarded painter, businessman and musician. He was also one of the first All Blacks!
Their marriage partnership illustrates the New Zealand experience as a representative sample of real life.
For more:
SEE OUR VIDEO ABOUT TOM AND MERE HERE
TRY THIS WAITANGI DAY ACTIVITY BOOK FROM TE PAPA
More on Kīngi Īhaka:
Visit the links below and watch the short introductory video at the bottom:
A Pukeko In a Ponga Tree – by Kīngi Īhaka
Kīngi Īhaka biography on TEARA
Īhaka talks about helping Māori in Sydney
TOM AND MERE’S WHARE
