Book launch: John Collier, Portrait of a Fighting Pioneer
Mahara Gallery, Waikanae
Friday 14 October 2011; 5.30pm
Hon Tariana Turia; MP for Te Tai Hauauru

I am delighted to be here tonight, to celebrate the ancient and honourable art of storytelling.

Storytelling is embedded deep within the traditions of all cultures.

It plays an essential role in helping us to understand ourselves; to learn our histories, to consider the perspectives and the contexts out of which our lives have formed.

And so I was very proud to be asked by Errol Collier, to launch his first novel, a story inspired by the diary of his great, great-grandfather, John Collier.

Although I must admit, when I first read the prelude to this book, I wondered what I had let myself in for. The story starts by transporting us in time to 17 March 1841:

“My first impression of seeing the land I am to call home for the rest of my life leaves an indelible image on me. Even from afar, just a few hundred yards from shore, it looks desolate and uninviting.

The closer we get to shore the more frightening it feels. It is as if we had come to the end of the world. What a rude awakening greets us”.

As I read that, my mind clashed with the contradiction to our own experience as tangata whenua; of this beautiful land that is our home – our birthplace, our birthright – our foundation in every sense.

But I persevered – and as with any relationship –understanding deepens if we allow ourselves the opportunity to learn. That, indeed, reflects on the art of the story-teller – when the story invites you in, to listen, to reflect; to provide a space for a new appreciation of other points of view.

What Errol is able to do in this novel, is to set the scene of people desperate to flee from the poverty of rural England.

The passengers that embarked the Lady Nugent endured unspeakable chaos and conflict of five months at sea; their optimism of a new life stained by the rigid class divisions that tormented the journey.

The description of that passage is haunting; the stench of human waste fills the pages; the putrid water leads to deaths from dystrophy and typhus; the violence of wild weather being matched by riots onboard. It is indeed, a tale about the survival of the fittest.

And so, page after page, we are drawn into a powerful story of human character put to the test. We find ourselves immersed in the experience of John Collier – his fight for life, for fairness, for a more just society.

And we learn about a relationship forged between the new settlers and tangata whenua – a relationship initiated by the generosity demonstrated in the gift of food.

The delicacies of indigenous kai are swept across the text: puha, watercress, kahawai, eels, shark, the wildfruit berries of the konini, titoki, kahikatea; goat and pig being supplied on a regular basis from Te Ati Awa.

I want to congratulate Errol, on the efforts he has gone to, in laying out the tapestry of an intimate and complex relationship between tangata whenua – the people of the land - and tangata tiriti – the people who came to Aotearoa by virtue of the relationship anticipated in the signing of Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

He presents a fascinating glimpse at the nature of our early conversations; the connections which have endured since settlements; and continue to shape us as a nation.

Before long, I found my own intimate connection to this story, through the introduction of a Chief by the name of Te Rangihaeata.

Our connection to Te Rangihaeata, as Nga Wairiki/Ngati Apa, comes through our tupuna - Te Rangi Pikinga.

In 1819, at the tender age of sixteen, Te Rangi Pikinga was taken by Te Rauparaha and given to his nephew, Te Rangihaeata, to live in the rohe of Ngati Toa Rangatira. She never returned.

Her story is one that is known throughout our tribal histories; and in recent years we have received the gift of her portrait – a painting which hangs proudly in our marae. It is the most evocative portraint – her sorrowful eyes take us back in time to the experiences of that era.

We will never forget that history – but now we have another layer of story around the experiences at that time.

The story of John Collier provides a Pakeha perspective on that era – through his eyes we see the effects of the theft of land, the tension between settlers and tangata whenua, the attacks on settlements.

No detail is spared as the origins of a nation are revealed.

We learn about the brutal military action of the British troops; the pervasive influence of alcohol; the never-ending threat of violence; but we learn too about friendship, about humour, about love.

Four years ago, at the signing of an agreement to settle the claim between Ngati Toa and the Crown, iwi leader Matiu Rei reflected, and I quote:

Ngati Toa was subjected to a co-ordinated military and political campaign by the Crown, including the kidnapping and exile of our leaders, the loss of life through military action and public executions, as well as land sales under duress.

Tonight, we are launching a novel, which bravely faces this history full on, as well as shedding light into other stories of Te Ati Awa, of Muaupoko, and other iwi.

We learn about the impact Colonel Wakefield made on early settlement; the involvements of magistrates and the police; and the crooked deals made in the supply of weapons.

It takes courage to share stories which may well create controversy or conflict in how others will interpret them. I believe that what Errol has offered us, in his presentation of John Collier, Portrait of a Fighting Pioneer, is an ideal opportunity to engage in conversation.

This book presents a chance for the knowledge passed through generations to be shared.
It is a time for our collective stories to come alive; the novel invites us to take this moment to listen, to learn, to feel the history so faithfully told by his mokopuna.

I want to thank you, Errol, for your commitment to sharing the truths of your tupuna – in your vision for creating a better future ahead.

Our future is intimately connected to the lives of our whanau – yesterday, today and tomorrow.

You have reminded us all of the need to know our own stories; of the precious value that our family traditions, our heritage, our culture provides in establishing a platform for our future.

Thank you for that gift of insight – and I am delighted to declare John Collier, Portrait of a Fighting Pioneer, officially launched.

Authorised by Tariana Turia, Parliament Buildings, Wellington

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