Bravo, Neu Zeeland: Two Maori In Vienna 1859 1860

Description

Wanting to know what it was like for Maori as Pakeha settlers arrived in New Zealand in the nineteenth century, sparked Helen Hogan's interest in Maori language manuscripts. The Maori language scholar studied accounts of 14 Maori journeys for her PhD thesis, which was completed when she was 72. One of the manuscripts was a journal written by Hemara Te Rerehau, who together with his Tainui kinsman, Wiremu Toetoe sailed to Europe in 1859 on the Austrian frigate Novara. The journal, which records Te Rerehauâ's impressions of nine months in Vienna, forms the central part of Hogan's 2003 book Bravo, Neu Zeeland-Two Maori in Vienna 1859-1860 (published by Clerestory Press in Christchurch). While in Vienna, Te Rerehau and Toetoe met the Emperor Franz Josef and learned printing and engraving in the Imperial Printery. They also met Queen Victoria and were responsible for the gifting and transport of the printing press for the King Movement Newspaper, Te Hokioi. Te Rerehauâ's journal records part of their time away from New Zealand, and his impressions of a culture different not only to his own, but unlike that of the English who had settled in New Zealand.  Readings from Te Rerehauâ's journal by Rangimoana Taylor, together with commentary by Helen Hogan feature in National Radio's drama slot during Maori Language Week. Dr Hogan, who will be 81 later this year, says that narratives like Te Rerehauâ's journal provide a means of having a conversations with Mäori who experienced the coming together of the two cultures. The timing of the journal is also significant, being written as the land wars in Waikatoâ which had a lasting effect on Maori/ Pakeha relations were unfolding. It comes out of the period when the number of Pakeha living in New Zealand overtook the Maori population. Writing in Bravo, Neu Zeeland, Dr Hogan notes that Te Rerehau and Toetoeâ's journey is a celebration of two young, adventurous spirits experiencing simultaneously two cultures steeped in ancient tradition but otherwise vastly different. It demonstrates reciprocated appreciation at a time when racial tolerance was a rare commodity. It is a celebration of what might have been and what might yet be.