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Koroua is a series of conversations profiling some of our last remaining koroua.
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Tiwi Black, 84. Koroua Tiwi was born under a tree that was growing behind Te Mahurehure marae in the midst of a horse betting session of women that included her mother and whaea whāngai, Tītoki, who named him Tiwi (Divy) to celebrate their winnings.
The Māori world view shared by Koroua Te Ariki Morehu is one that offers glimpses into the full and interesting life of a gentle yet worldly elder.
Koroua Carlo Smith (80) is one of great fortitude and energy, of a driving force of commitment to work, and an intelligence to discover and explore new horizons by undertaking new learning. What an extraordinary life and what an inspiration for those who hear these stories – noho ora mai e te rangatira, noho ora mai i roto i te rangimārie.
Koroua Tom (87) remembers the times of his rugby playing days. We learn that he was an effective front row forward of the team who represented Bay of Plenty and travelled to games in Papamoa, Paeroa, Northland and Auckland at the time of the famous Brooke brothers and John Kirwan.
Koroua Taukiri was born in Tirohanga, Opotiki, the son of Te Whaanga Tawhiao and Paeroa Ranapia who married before the outbreak of World War I. His mother would travel from Matakana to Tirohanga to have her seven children and at his birth Koroua Taukiri’s parents returned to Matakana where his mother was teaching but left him to be raised by his aunt.
George Hori Thrupp Age 87. The mother of Koroua Hori, Paraora Te Puhikura, is his whakapapa connection to Ngāi Tūhoe. On his father’s side he is a descendant of the Von Thrupp family who worked on sailing ships and migrated from their homelands in Germany.
George Hori Thrupp Age 87. The mother of Koroua Hori, Paraora Te Puhikura, is his whakapapa connection to Ngāi Tūhoe. On his father’s side he is a descendant of the Von Thrupp family who worked on sailing ships and migrated from their homelands in Germany.
Tiwi Black, 84. Koroua Tiwi was born under a tree that was growing behind Te Mahurehure marae in the midst of a horse betting session of women that included her mother and whaea whāngai, Tītoki, who named him Tiwi (Divy) to celebrate their winnings.
Epsiode Thirteen – Enoka Ngatai. Age 82. Koroua Enoka remembers that horses were a huge part of their recreational fun, especially breaking in wild horses in the surf, and racing the horses in betting competitions.
Age 88. Koroua Billy Messant provides a unique glimpse into an interesting life from his childhood in Rāwāhi, his working life as a very young boy in Edgecumbe and other nearby areas, and his enlisting in the Air Force to serve overseas. He also has a legacy of twenty four children from three marriages.
Age 81. Koroua Hohepa Mason provides an insight into his Māori world view. We learn of whānau practices and protocols, of his vocational pathway as a school teacher and as an elder we learn of his leadership qualities.
Age 84. Koroua Boy Biddle reveals different Māori world views from family birthing practices, close family bonds with grandparents, career opportunities through local and boarding schools, tikanga kawe mate, cooperative farming practices, and the strong romantic commitment of two young people.
Koroua Hekenuku establishes whakapapa connections to his tupuna Tarutaru and his birth on 1 August 1932 at his papakāinga Pukepoto located at the starting point of Te One Roa a Tohe. We learn that he attended the local school, did not enjoy learning literacy and left school on his fifteenth birthday.
