The realisation that a wealth of stories of how life used to be in and around the Kaipara needed to be preserved and heard more widely has prompted the launch of a new recording.
Forgotten Tales of the Kaipara features five longstanding Kaipara residents talking about their experiences growing up in the region to architectural artist and heritage buff Luciana Orr, who lives at Matakohe.
She says the idea of recording tales from Kaipara characters came about after she worked for a time at the town’s Kauri Museum.
“I worked at the museum in marketing for a year and over that time I met so many interesting people, coming through the museum, volunteering or living locally, and I was hearing all these stories that were just fascinating,” she says.
“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.”
With a qualification in audio engineering and a strong interest in culture and heritage preservation, Luciana decided a vocal recording was the way to go, to save not only the stories from the past, but the voices of those telling them.
The five contributors she chose to interview range in age from their sixties to their eighties and come from a variety of backgrounds, but they all share a Kaipara upbringing and their own distinct perspective on the region and its social history. They are Ngāti Whātua kaumātua and Kaiwaka resident Ben Hita; Stella Clyde of Paparoa; Matakohe-born Joy Bonham; Kauri Museum guide Pete Panhuis; and Pahi local Kerry Bonham.
The tales they tell are an entertaining and diverse mix of memories and local lore, when life was often carefree but also could be challenging. Topics include everything from catching giant eels and toheroa (shellfish) to a poignant memorial to lost babies and a rebellion against daylight savings.
“These stories uncover cultural pathways that give meaning to our past, and inspire who we are today,” Luciana says.
“I got hours of material from everyone, so there was a lot of editing, but I think I’ve pulled something together that’s consistent. This is my first amateur go at something like this, but people seem to be receiving it well.”
Luciana produced Forgotten Tales of the Kaipara with the support of Kaipara District Council’s Creative Communities arts fund. It is available to buy as an MP3 file for $22 or there are a limited number of CD versions that cost $33. Copies of the CD are being gifted to all libraries in the Kaipara region, and schools and other publicly funded organisations can receive a free MP3 copy.
Info and sales: Email info@illustrator-luciana-orr.com or visit www.illustrator-luciana-orr.com/forgotten-tales-of-the-kaipara-audio-mp3
