This is a compilation of Mobile Unit oral history recordings from 1947 relating to Taranaki. See Mobile Unit recordings for the original items.
(00:00:00-14:00) A commentary on events surrounding the historic Turuturumokai Pa, Hawera district. Mentions Te Ramanui, the central holy place of the Taranaki tribe in this area; Waingongoro River; bombardment of the area by HMS Alligator six years before the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi; defence of Major von Tempsky and the Armed Constabulary in 1868 against Titokowaru; Te Whiti and Tohu of Parihaka; the Turuturumokai Reserve; Te Uma-o-Tongaheke Pa; Te Ngutu-o-te-Manu; the Ngāti Tupaea hapu; the Tawhiti Stream; Whakamaru; the elders Pouerimu Toi and Tonga Awhikau lifted the tapu of the Turuturumokai Pa on 12th July 1938, the 100th anniversary of the fighting between Māori and Pakeha.
(00:14:14-00:26:19) European speakers (one of whom is a Mr Cullinan) detailing their experiences in the Waihi, Hawera and Wanganui districts. Mention Goodson's Farm at Normanby; the Town Clerk of the area in their time was Sandy Brett. Their recollections of Dick Seddon (Premier), the sale of the Waimate Plains in 1881. The Sutherlands bought land there for 14 pounds and ten shillings an acre, while most of it sold for about 16 pounds per acre. Mention of a Jack Adamson. Mrs Luke (Ruka) was a native woman; one of speakers recalls a story at the Flying Horse - a saddlery shop.