1st posting of this new series dated 3rd January 2018 and out of sequence - apologies!

I purchased this beautiful piece in Hokitika 2004 and its message wss
about Lifelong Learning.

My intent is to blog while developing my third manuscript is not an approach I did with my first two self-publications. Even though I have a deep sense that what has come before has brought me to this place of writing.

This manuscript's focus is a more personal endeavour and with historical beginnings of my lineage of Frederik Manning (Irish settler and in later years appointed a Land Court Judge) and his wife Moerangaroa a Maori woman during a period in the mid-1800’s, reflecting a changing ‘social landscape’ of intermarriage. The genesis of a simple tale of a relationship between a father and his daughter in the New Zealand context 100 years on. 

Do I feel equipped to write this? In my heart, yes but I know full well I am going to waver and hit roadblocks and will need to temper the voice in my head when I wake up, with the question, what are you doing Viti?

My intent to blog while writing this manuscript will assist me to keep moving forward throughout 2018.  After six decades I find myself still curious, still contributing and still creating environments to expand my knowledge and finding answers to questions. Why do we have so many questions?

Not having lived in New Zealand for four decades does generate uncertainties as I explore the New Zealand context.  Not one written from a source-critics perspective but experiences and observations with storytelling and from a daughter/woman’s perspective.

A pathway set by our parents from humble beginnings to provide opportunities for their children in the 1950’s – 1970’s away from economic dependence. No doubt this aspect of the book will generate questions as they emerge.

From a mixed genealogy that ebbs and flows like the tide.  Always has always will. In contemporary times that same genealogy, in some cases, has additional cultural layers with their children and grandchildren which reflects a growing trend.

In November 2016 I attended the 7th Biennial International Indigenous Research Conference hosted by University of Auckland’s, New Zealand Maori Research Centre of Research Excellence. and contributed a research paper under one of the four themes, Healthy Indigenous Economies. A week like no other and left with a new-found awareness, bag full of resources, memories and questions.

Not long after, while fossicking in a small bookshop in Paihia, Northland I came across, At the Margin of the Empire, by Jennifer Ashton, first published in 2015 by Auckland University. One that has provided the platform alongside other material I have gathered over time.

A sociological imagination is a framework I will explore. C. Wright Mills (1959) refers to this as, focusing on the individual in the larger scheme of things. My undergraduate studies were in Sociology and Women’s Studies and these continue to be the areas that I engage with. In this case a simple tale of the relationship between a father and his daughter. On reflection, I was in many ways given equality in my childhood - a family unit with two older brothers.  

It was a ‘gift’ either intentionally or unintentionally I am not sure. That feeling of equality can best be described as the ability to breathe deeply throughout those formative years. The ability to take those deep breathes faltered as I ventured beyond.  

Great-Great-Grandaughter

I first picked up a copy of Old New Zealand while studying in 1995. Anecdotally, I had heard extended family members speak intermittently about Maning. However, never really understood the significance of this Great-Great-Grandfather in the context of New Zealand’s early settlement and the term Pakeha-Maori. It has only been in more recent times that I have engaged with his writings.

When exploring one's own truth, it requires looking back and understanding what has come before. This I have found captivating. More importantly, my interest in the three women on the maternal side of my father’s descendants, all Maori women.

Maning wrote under the pseudonym of, “a Pakeha Maori”. Although not uncommon, he took a Maori woman as his wife. Moengaroa was a sister of Chief Hauraki Hikutu (TBC) from the Hokianga. There were benefits of such a union. Known as a notable early settler of Irish descent Maning settled in the Hokianga in 1833 and established himself as a trader of timber and flax. 

While reading my Great-Great-Grandfathers book I was intrigued by the language of his time. One such example is referring to his arrival by ship. “I am landed at last, certainly, but I am tattered and wet, and in a most deplorable plight; so to make my story short - for I see, if I am too particular, I shall never come to the end of it – I returned to the ship, put myself to rights, and came on shore next day with all my taonga, to the great delight of the chief and tribe. (1900, Pg.30) Taonga in Maori means a person’s property, possessions or goods.

The value of blogging while writing a manuscript creates an environment for ‘reflective practice’. In the context of my endeavours, I find this very beneficial. Although distracting from the writing itself I intuitively believe that the book, when completed, will be enriched by this practice. Time will tell!

  

Magic not sorrow

In 2003 I interviewed my Dad. Qualitative research has always been my bent since I commenced my mature-age studies. With bias, my generation, dad's grandchildren and great-grandchildren recall his ability to tell a tale with such fondness. It is only now that I have gained a ‘full appreciation’ of his life and that I feel equipped to tackle this project.  

Along with his tapes, letters were written, material gathered – snippets on paper – photos – articles etc all contained in a folder emblazon across the front, don’t throw this folder out – My dad’s material. It was being kept. At some-time, I thought I would get around to putting something together for the generations that follow done this lineage.

Well as time has shown, a passion for research seeps into your bones and for me always being captivated by the bigger picture and possibilities. Being Brave, with this project is about finding peace with the idea that I am going to tackle a project that will write my truth. Delighted to say in a short space of time I have arrived. What enabled me to do so was transcribing my father’s tapes yesterday and I will finish off today. 

Hearing his voice after an absence of 13 years, proved to be soothing. Our exchanges, so familiar, laughing, father singing at my request, tales of his childhood and early employment years in the Hokianga and King Country. The mischief he got up to but allowing him space, to digress prompted by our exchanges. Being able to merge his truth into the sociological, historical and cultural history of his time in the Hokianga and King Country will move me towards a “fuller appreciation” of his truth and how that influenced the way I was raised during my formative years.

Circumstantially the photo on the screen to my left is me standing on the Opononi Wharf during one of our visits to the Hokianga.  Paul suggested I go and stand out on the wharf so he could take a photo. I recall being resistant and how poignant his insistence has become. It will remain during the development of this manuscript.

Go well!

TODAY I COMMENCE MY THIRD MANUSCRIPT

To celebrate starting my manuscript I headed off to Kings Park. The morning was beautiful and crisp. The sun rising between the gum trees at the Subiaco entrance to the park. How interesting that I have not noticed the Pohutukawa Tree so symbolic to all New Zealanders and known as the New Zealand Christmas Tree.  

What I have found previously, when writing, is the heightened awareness that comes when your researching or gathering data for a specific purpose.  In this instance, when I lifted my head and saw flowers on the Pohutukawa Tree I made the connection.  

 

The historical component of my manuscript will commence in the mid-1830’s in New Zealand. During this period the pohutukawa’s timber was used for ship-building during New Zealand’s early settlement period. It was also used by Maori for medicinal purposes.

Invariably, projects I undertake have an environmental engagement/component to them. Whether that be walking trails, tracks, national parks or trekking.  This time I only need to walk up the road. Over time I have gathered a growing collection of Images which become a resource to make connections beyond the obvious. This then opens up my thinking!

Why I took this specific photo which includes the gum tree was the awareness of two halves makes a whole. From a sociological perspective, this refers to my Maori-Pakeha heritage. 

From an environmental perspective, the symbolism of these two trees is representative of my life’s journey. My formative years of growing up in New Zealand and then our move to Australia where we raised our family. Symbolically, here are these two trees, side by side, in the park just down the road.

No more delaying tactics Viti, time to get on with it…😉

Trust you have a great day!

Sociological Imagination

When I first started my undergraduate studies in Sociology and Women’s Studies, as a mature-age student, I remember the Introduction Sociology unit thinking, OMG this fits like a glove.

I am a fan of C. Wright-Mills (1959) who defines Sociological Imagination (SI) as ‘…an imagination which focuses on the individual in the larger scheme of things; the relationship between the individual and society, between the biography of individual members of any particular society…’.

it also ‘…focuses attention on the social structure of the society in which we live…’ which underpins the questions we ask ourselves and others.

Thirdly, ’The uniqueness of the discipline lies in the way which explanation is sought, in the way society is organised as a whole and the experience of individuals understood in that context.’ (Willis, E 1993, p.10-11).

Husband Paul had not heard of the concept of an SI. This morning I shared the above explanations with him. He nodded his head. I replied this is what sits under many of the questions I have raised over the years. He nodded his head! 

My third manuscript will apply an SI lens. Currently, I am reading, gathering and totally absorbed in Maori-Pakeha history in the Hokianga, New Zealand.

The genesis of this book commences with the marriage of Judge Frederick Edward Maning (Irish Settler) and Moengaroa Te Hikutu (sister of Hauraki - surname to be confirmed) a Maori woman (Ngapuhi tribe) in the Hokianga.

During my informative years and anecdotally I had heard names mentioned but with no clear understanding until yesterday when I finally sat at the table with all the pieces to the above family tree. I suspect that part of this was due to our relocation to Australia, not taking the time to engage with the family tree that does exist and anecdotally information that was shared as time went by. 

Nonetheless, the name Maning was mentioned over time.

I read Frederick Maning’s book Old New Zealand while studying. More from curiosity than the absolute wonder and engagement that is going on right now!  

What a moment to actually see the above visually. Jennifer Ashton's History Thesis, At The Margin Of Empire John Webster and Hokianga, 1841-1900 has been a find as has other material I have gathered since my last trip to New Zealand, November 2017. Looking forward to all what evolves. 

Heartfelt thanks to niece Kiri Diamond (caretaker of our Family Tree) since her parents passing.