Forgotten Tales of the Kaipara
Recorded and Produced by artist LUCIANA ORR
Forgotten Tales of the Kaipara is an intriguing compilation, a recording which shares the social history of a region, told by five longstanding Kaipara locals.
What happened to the promising boxer who ventured into Tapu Bush? Where are the lost babies of Paparoa buried, and why? These stories uncover cultural pathways that give meaning to our past, and inspire who we are today.
“As people pass, so do their memories, their first hand experiences, and often the knowledge that gives context to the way we do things now. These stories and reflections are both interesting and important. I wanted to make them accessible and to create a record of time, people and place.” said interview curator Luciana Orr.
Ngāti Whātua, Te Uri o Hau, Kaumātua, Ben Hita, shares stories from his youth at Poutō and reflections of life on the Kaipara.
‘Our job at night was to catch the eels and the old people would come in and split them all. They were huge, they would have been 200 round, you know, big horns on their heads. We were told not to handle them…”
Stella Clyde of Paparoa, tells of her father’s contribution to early radio on the Kaipara, and Matakohe born Joy Bonham recalls the revered toheroa expeditions.
Pete Panhuis, knowledgeable guide at The Kauri Museum, recounts tales of early days in Matakohe, Paparoa and Ruawai. Pahi local Kerry Bonham, remembers a rebellion in Ararua that reached the ears of the world.
Recorded and compiled by artist Luciana Orr, this project was created with the support of Creative Communities funding. Copies of the CD are being gifted to libraries in the Kaipara region and publicly funded organizations in the Kaipara like schools, can request the MP3 version for free.
- Listen to a sample of the stories here.
- Ben Hita – Growing up on Poutō
- Stella Clyde – First radio on the Kaipara
BUY – MP3 Download Audio of Forgotten Tales of the Kaipara – $33 (NZ)
EMAIL ME TO FIND OUT MORE. info@illustrator-luciana-orr.com