Pat Magill – Leading From The Front
THANK YOU
To the photographers and artists who have so generously given their time and shared their talent as a gift to Leading From The Front. These gestures acknowledge the social justice campaigning that Pat and many others carry out in the community, and support all efforts to ensure Napier/Ahuriri is a place where everyone, especially children, can feel safe.
Photographers: Anne Johnston, Lee Pritchard, Sally Crown, Maxine Boag and Jan Magill; their works brings out the beauty and significance in every scene they capture.
Artists: Harriet Selfe, Helen Dynes, John Ruth, Sallie M Dunford, Tamatea High School Art Students and Art Dean, Philomena Flood, young artists from Camberley School, Te Kura Kaupapa Maori O Te Ara Hou and Flaxmere Primary School; their talent inspires a stronger connection with our world.
To the all-round supporters, who have also given their time, above and beyond expectations with a generosity that ensured Leading From The Front was printed on time and hopefully, without too many typos.
To name a few of these supporters: Pat Magill (a big time supporter and a bit of a driver too!), Maxine Boag, John Wise, Alwyn Corban, Mark Cleary, Derek Sullens, Richard Poole, Robyn Yousef, Denis O’Reilly, Peter Wilson, Marie Gray, Rob Magill, Tim Magill, Diane Cadwallader, Chrissy Dickie, Lynn Brebner, Susie McCutcheon, Kay Foley, Erica Handley, Kerry Bell, Dame Tariana Turia, Robert Consedine, Helen Lloyd, Roger Cathro, Marty Brandt, Genesis Keefe, Tremain Family, Ahuriri Estuary Protection Society, Bev Barron, Soraya Longtime, Kerry Kitione, Kartini & Steve Martin – their unstinting backup ensured this project became a reality.
Andrew Judd: for inspiring the book’s cover and title, a huge and heartfelt thanks for literally walking the talk. To Reverend Matiu Eru, for faithful translation skills in assisting the Magill Whānau to appropriately honour Pat’s kaupapa; nga mihi nui.
Graphic Designer Clair Robertson: to the design magician who has made sense of the millions of words and hundreds of photos that have gone into this book, and curated these into something that looks so good; we so gratefully revere her talent.
Jan Magill: her support has been extraordinary and commitment to the detail of the product as obsessive as the editor’s. This is a rare thing, and a huge and humbling comfort.
Lastly to all the tribute writers who feature throughout the book: Pat’s friends, supporters and staunch allies, who have generously given their time to honour Pat in his tribute biography with beautiful korero that has elevated Leading From The Front to something special, Nga mihi nui.
Jes & Whanāu
April 2021
Front cover design inspired by Andrew Judd. See his tribute on pages 210-211. Image courtesy @Stuff.
Photography on the front inside and back inside covers is by Anne Johnston; image of Black Beech, Lake Rotoiti, Nelson Lakes.
FOREWORD
Pat Magill is a champion for social justice, and a hero for prison reform, long before it became fashionable. He initiated Treaty seminars throughout the Hawke’s Bay ahead of many others, including the State.
Pat is a thought leader and a shape shifter: establishing Unity Week; the Unity Robson Lecture; the Unity Forum, the Unity Dinner – all designed to recognise the contribution to community development and bicultural partnership. His intent is clear – to help strengthen our conversations around nationhood, community, fairness and equity.
Pat’s vision for the Napier Pilot City Trust is legendary, along with his mahi with the YMCA and setting up the Downtown Y. He is a persistent advocate for difference; creating connections and initiating conversations of meaning. He has gone out on a limb to look for the unity that binds us together, and has championed the call, “Build communities, not prisons!”
Pat’s advocacy at local and regional council is impressive and he’s taken every opportunity to grow Napier into a Child Friendly City. His lifelong mission has been to focus on what unites us as peoples; to promote the universal truth that communities can provide answers to their own social problems; that our future lies in the connections that bind us together, Putikitia te Aroha.
Pat’s unique and characteristic commitment is a source of motivation for us all. He inspires us to dig deep, to be bold with our voice, purposeful with our actions.
Where does this come from; this incredible love for community and his commitment to every person, every whānau, every home flourishing? Pat’s early influences hold the key and created in him, the passion to serve, a reason to give. Life with Pat has certainly never been dull. He’s a character; he’s a mentor to many; a loyal friend and a much loved servant of the people. His book is well worth a read.
Heoi ano, Dame Hon Tariana Turia
(Read Dame Tariana’s tribute to Pat on page 173.)
DEDICATION
To foot soldiers, shipmates and visionaries everywhere. To those who believe living in kinder, fairer cities is everyone’s right, not just a birth right for some; Believe, that anything is possible. That ‘history and hope can rhyme’.
THE CURE AT TROY BY SEAMUS HEANEY – WHEN HOPE & HISTORY RHYME
Human beings suffer
They torture one another,
They get hurt and get hard.
No poem or play or song
Can fully right a wrong
Inflicted and endured.
The innocent in gaols
Beat on their bars together.
A hunger-striker’s father
Stands in the graveyard dumb.
The police widow in veils
Faints at the funeral home.
History says, Don’t hope
On this side of the grave.
But then, once in a lifetime
The longed-for tidal wave
Of justice can rise up,
and hope and history rhyme.
TE ORANGA KEI TROY NA SEAMUS HEANEY INA TE HUARITE MANAWA ORA ME TE HITORIA.
Ngakau moteatea nga tangata
Ka tukino ratou i a ratou ano
Ka pamamae ratou ka whakamaro
Kare he korero poto, he whakaaturanga, he waiata
Hei whakatika i nga he
Whakamamae me te pakohe
Te harakore i roto i nga whainga
Kia ngatahi te pao i nga paemaitai
Te matua o te tangata kore kai
Tu ana i roto i te urupa parahanga
Te pouaru a te Pirihimana kei te mau arai
Ka amai i te whare tupapaku
Te ki a te hitoria Kaua e wawata
Kei tenei taha o te rua.
Engari kotahi te wai i roto i tou ao
Te roa e tatari ana mo te tai nui
Kia rewa ake te ture
Me te tangi ngatahi a te wawata me to hitoria.
ABOUT THE POEM – THE CURE AT TROY
Winner of the 1995 Nobel Prize in Literature, Seamus Heaney was an Irish poet, playwright and translator. Pat first came across The Cure at Troy when he was in Ireland following the signing of a peace agreement and this is one of his favourite poems. Pat often surprises the whanau with his ability to recite long tracts of his favourite writings – he knows this one by heart. This poem gave him a lot of comfort during lock d own last year and when he shared it with his shipmate Minnie Ratima, it resonated at the deepest level with her as well.
CONTENTS
CHAPTER 1 11
PAT’S EARLY DAYS
WRITTEN BY PAT’S SISTER MARIE GRAY
CHAPTER 2 19
PAT AND MARIE CREATE THEIR OWN WORLDS
CHAPTER 3 29
THE WESTSHORE YEARS
CHAPTER 4 37
GLORY RUGBY DAYS CONTINUE
CHAPTER 5 45
CARPET KEEPS ON ROLLING
CHAPTER 6 49
PUKETITIRI – THE BUSH, THE BACH, THE LEGACY
CHAPTER 7 57
THE ENVIRONMENT –
PAT WALKS HIS TALK IN HIS OWN HOOD
CHAPTER 8 71
BEHIND THE FAÇADE –
DRIVEN TO ANSWER NEEDS & A BICULTURAL AWAKENING
CHAPTER 9 77
NAPIER YMCA TRANSFORMED & THE DOWNTOWN Y IS BORN
CHAPTER 10 91
HAWKE’S BAY COMMUNITY COLLEGE – IT WORKED!
SO WHAT HAPPENED?
CHAPTER 11 99
MARAENUI – BY WHANAU FOR WHANAU,
ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE
CHAPTER 12 109
NAPIER PILOT CITY TRUST – FOR A KINDER, FAIRER CITY
TE ARAROA OFFERS HOPE 134
CHILD FRIENDLY CITIES & A LOOK AT SOCIAL
WELFARE SERVICES IN NZ OVER FOUR DECADES 143
CHAPTER 13 159
RESTORATIVE JUSTICE – FOR AN UNJUST JUSTICE SYSTEM
CHAPTER 14 187
HEALING OUR HISTORY THROUGH TE TIRITI
WHITE PRIVILEGE: THE HIDDEN BENEFITS 190
BY ROBERT CONSEDINE
THE TREATY OF WAITANGI & TE TIRITI 196
FULL VERSIONS OF BOTH DOCUMENTS
LESSONS FROM A RECOVERING RACIST 207
A TED TALK BY ANDREW JUDD
CHAPTER 15 213
MINNIE RATIMA 1964-2020
CHAPTER 16 229
REMEMBERING CATHERINE
CHAPTER 17 239
A BIG PRESENCE IN OUR LIVES
CHAPTER 18 257
AWARDS, TRAVEL, PARTIES – FUN, FUN, FUN!
CHAPTER 19 269
WHOSE GOD? PAT ON RELIGION & SPIRITUALITY
CHAPTER 20 279
AND WHERE TO FROM HERE …
INTRODUCING THE INAUGURAL HAUTUPUA AWARDS 281
Above: Charcoal sketch by Harriet Selfe.
CAPE KIDNAPPERS TE KAUWAE-A-MAUI
This iconic sandstone landscape, and landmark – 20 kms south of Napier – is a constant in the backdrop to Pat Magill’s life. As a lad he squeezes as much fun and adventure from life as he can, as Te Kauwae-a-Maui stands sentry. As an adult, taking the whanau on hikes and picnics, the coast protects them along its massive 8 km form. After signing up with the YMCA, Pat gathers people together and takes them on hikoi, the long trail. Young and old join him, the Pied Piper for social justice reform, as they discover not only the coastline and the hinterland – the whenua, but resilience and joy within. They fish and forage and gratefully receive heart-warming, soul feeding, humbling manaakitanga throughout their journeys, as groups and individuals truly connect. Te Kauwae-a-Maua – always there.
CAPE KIDNAPPERS OR CAPE RESCUE?
Ngati Kahungunu’s impressive headland carries the weight of unresolved history. It’s the location where local Maori are recorded as attempting to kidnap one of Captain Cook’s crew, the 12 year old nephew and servant of Tupaia, a Tahitian nobleman who was on board as Endeavour’s guide and interpreter. Or was this a rescue mission? Other records have it that local Maori believed the young boy was one of their own and they were instead, attempting to free him from the ship. In the confusion, three Maori were killed. Whatever the truth, Cook’s name for the area remained officially until 2018, when it became Cape Kidnappers/Te Kauwae-a-Maui; the fish book of Maui. This description of the Cape resonates with more people than Cook’s, of its steep white cliffs on either side and near the point, two large rocks resembling possible, shark fins.
Cape Kidnappers by Anne Johnston.
Kinder Fairer City
No secret ingredients
Just Aroha
INTRODUCTION
Napier resident for nearly 95 years Pat Magill has been called many things, from a communist, an agitator, to the more colourful, Napier’s biggest stirrer. Then, coming from the pious end, he’s even been likened to a walking saint. LEADING FROM THE FRONT gives more insight into which one, or which combination, Pat might be.
He not only forms part of Napier/Ahuriri’s social history, he helped create it and a couple of contributors to the book who know Pat well describe him thus: “Pat has influenced Prime Ministers and CEOs up and down the country”, says Robert Consedine, author of Healing Our History – the Challenge of the Treaty of Waitangi. And Ahuriri barrister Philip Jensen observes Pat as, “Corrupting the halls of power with his goodness”.
Dozens more people who know this intriguing, fun-loving and committed campaigner for the underdog, have contributed their stores and impressions of Pat to LEADING FROM THE FRONT – beautiful, insightful stories from social justice influencers and change makers throughout Aotearoa. Along with Pat, they have one thing in common – they want to see a better world, especially for the nation’s children.
Discover throughout these pages what drives Pat to be Napier’s social conscience; how he loves his town like an entity and wants everyone within it to reach their best and deserved potential.
CHAPTER ONE
PAT’S EARLY DAYS
BY MARIE GRAY – PAT’S SISTER
Pat was born in 1926 in the small, east coast town of Napier to Jessie and Robert Magill. He grew up in the family home “Repokite”, (meaning swamp view) at 40 Cameron Road, while I appeared a few years later.
Our mother Jessie Manins was born in Wellington and Robert in Northern Ireland, and Pat was a welcome surprise into his mature parents’ established world. Robert was nearing 60 and Jessie nearly 40, and Pat’s hyperactive character was an added challenge!
Well-known and respected members of the Open Brethren religious group in Napier, Robert and Jessie were both kind and caring, and while very committed Christians, they had a twinkle in the eye and humour to match when the serious work of the day was done.
Robert owned a general drapers store – which also sold haberdashery, bed linen, clothing, hats and accessories – called Robert Magill Ltd, down ‘on the flat’ at 42 Carlyle Street towards the southern end of town. Many immigrants from Ireland, England and Scotland had settled here and worked hard to make a living.
Before her marriage, Jessie was a Plunket Nurse and one of the first of Sir Truby King’s graduates. She became known in the community as an active member of the Red Cross, leading classes in Home Nursing at secondary schools, including Hukarere Maori Girls’ College.
An event that defined our childhood was the devastating earthquake of 1931, which caused the tragic loss of 256 lives and extensive damage in the city. Fortunately, the foundations of our house were simply shifted forward several metres on the section, without severe damage to the structure.
It was such a blessing that the family wasn’t home when the earthquake struck on February 3. We were already out of town at Waimai, the family farm in Te Akau, north east of Raglan. Robert had a premonition that something dramatic was going to happen and managed to encourage the family to get out of town a week before the earthquake occurred.
When the phone-call from Napier came through, confirming that Robert’s fears had been eerily accurate and the quake did wreak its havoc, we immediately headed for home to check on family, friends, property and the shop. Renting a house further up Cameron Road, we waited anxiously for several years until the aftershocks subsided and our home could be repaired. It wasn’t long before Napier life settled back into something resembling normality, while the city had the huge task of re-building.
PAT’S BRETHREN WORLD
In the 1930s the Open Brethren was a conservative group with definite restrictions for younger boys of Pat’s age. Movies and radio were banned as well as comics, but
Pat’s Early Days 11
the latter were easily hidden underneath the mattress.
Free-spirited, independent and adventurous, Pat created his own fun within and outside the confine of the Brethren world. He made friends readily and some even joined him at Sunday School and for ‘exciting’ events such as the Lantern Lectures, which were held at the Church in the evenings.
Most of Pat’s childhood stories encapsulate classic Kiwi fun, such as breaking the boredom of mid-afternoon Sunday School by giving his mates stink bombs, those little black seeds that when squeezed released their disgusting, sulphureous [sulphorous] odour into the small room, while the guilty boys sat with angelic smiles plastered across their faces.
Eventually released from Church confines, Pat and his mates would hurry out into freedom and take a brisk walk up to Marine Parade and along the Napier Breakwater, looking for adventure. Sabbath would then conclude at Repokite with a ‘feed’ prepared by Jessie and a biblical board game.
With movies out of the question, the Saturday evening Lantern Lectures were not to be missed. The Brethren Hall was darkened and fascinating images of the Holy Land came up on the screen. Then out of the silence would come the unmistakable sound of a marble rolling down the wooden floor from the back of the room to the front. In another five minutes another would roll down, and then another. Most of the viewers were not pleased. Before the lights went on, Pat and his buddies had vanished into the darkness and back to their homes, having enjoyed some good, clean Saturday night fun.
Then there was the time Pat’s close neighbourhood ally Alan Peake and he, probably both aged 10 at the time, pulled the plug out of the baptism font so by the time parishioners turned up for a scheduled Baptism, there was not one drop of holy water to be seen. For this they were chased around Clive Square by one of the Church elders. Then Robert would hear about it, for which Pat received a smack on the bum plus his father’s disappointed admonishment: “I thought you were a good boy”.
The family farm at Te Akau near Raglan became an important place for Pat over the years. He happily spent school holidays there, learning how to ride horses and experiencing farming life at its toughest on the high country sheep station. He loved every minute and could imagine becoming a farmer himself when the time came to choose a career.
It wasn’t all frivolous antics for Pat though, who was after all the son of caring, committed Christians. As well as loving a laugh he had a fierce compassion for those less fortunate than himself. Two boys from France House orphanage attended Central School with Pat and in winter they would arrive looking cold in their thin grey shirts, cotton shorts and bare feet. This had a profound effect on Pat. Even at a young age he could see that life was much harder for some than for others and he developed an abhorrence for injustice.
When his birthday came around, Jess would ask him to choose a party venue, guests, and menu. Every year, without hesitation he chose a picnic at Pukekura, (Sugar Loaf Hill) in Taradale with his two dear France House friends and Alan. The boys would race up and down the hill until exhausted and then tuck into a great spread.
Over the years the Open Brethren modified their attitude to become more accepting of leisure and sports. Young men took up swimming, tennis and tramping, etc. One family installed a tennis court in their back yard for their four athletic sons. Another built a house next to McLean Park so all the family could see the rugby games on Saturdays from the verandah of their elevated home, while Pat revelled in playing rugby whenever he could.
SHOP LIFE
Getting the hang of the retail trade at Robert Magill Ltd was another learning curve in Pat’s life. When the bell rang at the end of the day at Napier Intermediate, he would ride his bike to the family store and carry out his after-school jobs. First task was delivering the big pile of parcels to customers living on Napier Hill. Loading up his bike he’d start the long, exhausting drag up Colenso Avenue and on to the steep little side streets leading to scattered homes, where he would deliver the goods.
Back down the hill to the shop, he’d share a joke or two with the attendants in the Men’s Department and observe his old dad serving the chatty customers of Carlyle Street. Many were poor and Pat could hear his father reducing the prices so they could afford a pair of Harris Tweed trousers or socks for the kids.
Meanwhile, his mates would arrive, twins Max and Rex Lane who were also on the payroll to help out with anything required. The boys would prepare kapok for customers to purchase and make their own pillows, package up orders or fold paper and tie up pieces of string that were lying about the storeroom. Robert often told his young staff that he “knew a man who’d made a successful business from collecting string and paper”, which would get the boys sniggering every time.
Pat’s Early Days 13
Business life continued at home too. Phone calls often came from the Napier Prison, requesting woollen socks and blankets for prisoners who complained of the cold, and during the Depression Robert was known for giving away clothes to those who couldn’t afford them.
LIFE AT REPOKITE
Jessie and Robert ran an ‘Open Home’ with visits from many people from all walks of life. Missionary speakers came to stay and were given the large guest room. Other noted speakers came to give public lectures at the Forrester’s Hall in town and it was expected that Pat attend. Some were ‘decent’ chaps, other rather ‘heavy’ and expected a kind of deference from the younger generation.
It was natural for Pat to play a trick or two on the latter group. When the guest bathroom was engaged, he would go outside and give the pipes a loud bang, which reverberated back into the room, startling the visitors. Jessie would apologise later in her ladylike manner and Pat was given the usual telling off. Guest speakers who had more experience with lads of Pat’s age would shout the whole family to ice cream sundaes at the milk bar after the lectures and won Pat’s respect that way.
There were gaps in our home life when our parents were not present, with Jessie giving lectures or judging baby shows and the like, and Robert more often than not was at the shop or at Church meetings. These after school gaps were happily filled by Pat and Alan.
Nearby Tiffen Park was their ideal playground. From the reservoir at the top to the parking area below, the boys would biff used car tyres and the like, and interrupt chatting lovers as they enjoyed each other’s company. For their many antics, the pair were well-known and by some locals, even feared.
Some pranks were more bold than others, like the incident involving the itinerant greengrocer with his horse and cart who would drive around Cameron Road and Bluff Hill selling fruit and veg on Saturday afternoons. Seeing the cart parked up without a driver, Pat and Alan saw fit to tie the cover of the cart to a lamppost, so when the cart moved on to the next house, the cover did not.
The angry greengrocer saw Pat running away, and yelling and screaming followed him into Repokite and into the kitchen. Pat says he could hear the greengrocer’s breath behind him and in the nick of time, managed to jump through the open window and drop a few feet to the garden below. “That boy”, the greengrocer yelled, “I tell policeman!”
HIGH SCHOOL CAPERS AND BEYOND
Napier Boys’ High School was attended by lads from a mix of homes ‘on the hill’ and ‘on the flat’ and being three kilometres out of the city, the boys biked or walked the distance. The headmaster at the time, “Potty” Foster, managed the school well and kept parents up to date with their boys’ progress. It wasn’t a surprise that Pat’s reports suggested he wasn’t academically diligent but he was a good mixer, keen on agriculture, outdoor pursuits and a talented rugby player at halfback.
Pat gave his all to help his rugby team win their Saturday games. Although his father didn’t attend any of these games or witness Pat’s boxing bouts in the Municipal Theatre, it was obvious Robert had a quiet admiration for his son’s achievements. In hindsight, it was a pity Robert didn’t attend. Jessie bound up his many rugby wounds with care and hung his jerseys and socks on the line with some kind of pride.
“Potty” suggested when Pat left school that a term or two at Massey Agricultural College in Palmerston North might be advantageous. It came as no surprise to the wider Magill clan that Pat, whose Irish forebears were either farmers or drapers, would consider a life on the land.
During his time at Massey his elderly father missed him a lot and wondered how his son spent his leisure time. Did he have a connection with Brethren friends? Were they looking after him? Many letters were sent from father to son and it became obvious Robert wanted Pat back in the shop – but it wasn’t yet his time to join the family firm.
I am proud to write about Pat’s life of service to others and the community of Napier and beyond. It is heartening to hear a lot of his friends from those formative years remembering their time growing up with him with fond nostalgia.
Many of them became successful in their chosen careers; mates who once worked in the shop and became headmasters, like Max and Rex Lane, as well as lecturers and notable names in New Zealand.
In fact, Max, just before he died, told me the happiest times of his life were those he’d spent with Pat during their childhood. I imagine Max wasn’t the only one to hold such a view.
14 Pat’s Early Days
BORN KNOWING JUSTICE …
Pat attended Napier Central Primary School during the depression in the 1930s; years that were to have a big impact on him. He remembers his father Robert didn’t take a wage at this time and every Sunday he would visit prisoners; something Pat also committed to as an adult and was an active member of the Sycamore Tree Project for seven years.
While his school reports weren’t great, he did collect more bottles to help fundraise for the school’s library than any other pupils, and he recalls that he and mates “shared”.
Pat’s sense for social justice revealed itself early. In part it was inspired by his parents’ example of being kind and generous to those in need, and it was flamed by the perplexing attitude and behaviour of one of his teachers.
She would get angry at the kids who came to class with stained clothes and sometimes she would give them the strap. Instead of judging the children, as many did, Pat knew there was something wrong with the teacher. She liked and related to the children who came from wealthy families and comfortable homes, but had no empathy for those from families experiencing hardship. Pat knew this was wrong.
Opposite: A spirited, fun-loving young Pat about town; Above: Central School 125th Jubilee line up with Pat and Alan Peake centre, middle row: Great mates kick over the traces that same weekend at Elephant Hill. Alan became a successful photographer and lived in Tauranga for most of his life. Sadly he passed away in 2011.
ON TRYING TO “sign up”
Whenever Pat was embroiled in an adventure you could pretty much guarantee his good buddy Alan Peake was right in there too. As he was when they tried to sign up for the war effort and “do their bit”. Both 16 years old at the time, they rocked up to a cargo ship in the middle of winter that was berthed at Napier Wharf, told the authorities they were 18, and wanted to join the Merchant Navy.
They got up the gangplank, boarded the ship and started talking to the officers. Pat reckons they were close to being ‘let on’ if they hadn’t been spotted by Dr Howard Berry who was carrying out health checks for the crew at the time. The doctor promptly contacted Robert and in no time the boys were collected and escorted from the ship. Perhaps it could be said here, it’s the intention that counts and the boys was novel but Robert and Jessie were apoplectic. The Brethren elders weighed in on the incident too, preaching hell fire and brimstone. “Your son is out of control” they said, and “likely on his way to a very bad place”. Life eventually settled down … until the next lark came along.
The life-line is firm
thanks to the
MERCHANT NAVY
FREEZING WORKS JOB a rite of passage
During the war a lot of the male work force was overseas fighting for “Home and Mother England”. There were serious labour shortages in many industries, including freezing works and Tomoana in Hastings badly needed staff. Aged 17 Pat secured a job there in the school holidays and worked one season on ‘nights’, with the shift usually finishing between 2 and 3 am. Nowhere near the youngest in the chain gang, he worked in the freezing chamber, telescoping lambs for England, which involved cutting off the hind legs and putting them inside the carcass to save space for shipping.
He loved the adventure, heading out to Hastings and staying in the Shearers’ quarters. “It made you feel proud in a way, of working with men, and being independent”. The experience didn’t put him off eating meat either, “You didn’t even think about it – you just did it.”
Old Killing shed, Hawke’s Bay. Photo by Anne Johnston
PAT’S SECRET LOVE
Always relishing his time spent at Waimai, the family farm near Raglan; a large part of the enjoyment there came from riding horses whenever he could. He was a keen polo player too. So of course Pat was thrilled when farm manager and good friend Len Scott presented him with a beautiful black horse of his own. “Manyana” was a former jumper/steeplechaser who had only raced once and Pat was up for the challenge of getting him back to Napier, putting him on a training schedule and bringing the horse back to the track.
He says his new charge was a “beautiful, spirited creature”, and remembers one day treating Manyana for an infection in his eye. For all his efforts he was, “bitten on the arse”.
Around 21 at the time, Pat had visions of becoming a wealthy, successful horse trainer and it took him about six months to get his equine buddy into shape. But Manyana’s existence had to be a well-kept secret. Anything to do with gambling was a big no-no in the Brethren faith so Pat’s way round that was not to let on to his parents, ever, about what he was up to. And making sure no one else did either.
Manyana’s new home was a fenced paddock at Onekawa. Pat would sneak out of the house between 5 and 6 am, drive the few miles south, saddle up his mount and ride him out across the flat and over the bridge to Westshore, soaking up the freedom and bracing sea air. Along the beach Pat often met up with his mate Neil Gillies who was training a horse as well.
Before long, a jockey was lined up to run Manyana in his first race at Napier Park. The land here was called “old land” because it existed before the 1931 earthquake but there was still a lot of rubble and liquefaction around. Sadly, just before the race started, Manyana put his foot in the wrong place and ripped his leg on submerged barbed wire. The ‘management’ team quickly bandaged his leg, keen for the show to go on, which it did, but not surprising Manyana broke down midway through the event.
So, Manyana’s racing days were well and truly over and Pat gifted him to a farmer’s daughter who was keen for a horse that was suited to an easy life. And with his dream of becoming a talented horse trainer shelved for the moment (Neil Gillies was more successful), Pat started looking around for further fun and challenge.
Miraculously, he did keep Manyana’s existence a secret from his parents. Pat would make sure he got the car home after training, well before Jessie and Robert woke up. This was obviously more than enough time for an energetic young man to enjoy an adventure or two before breakfast.
Above: Manyana – Pat’s prized horse and his two year-long secret passion.
DEFINING EVENTS FOR PAT IN THE ‘30S
As a teenager Pat had a bible teacher called Pearson, who one day told the class there were no Catholics in heaven. Pat thought of Robert’s Irish customers and asked him when he got home whether this was true; that Catholics weren’t received through the pearly gates.
Most of Robert’s customers were poor Irish Catholics and Pat remembers them kissing his dad on the cheek. There was a genuine closeness and, “they buttered our bread”, he says. Being Protestant of course Robert agreed with Pearson and from that time on, Pat lost interest in “Church matters”. He found the prejudice baffling and not something that a caring Lord, if one existed, would sanction.
In the mid ‘30s, speciality stores started setting up in Napier and some general drapers went out of business. Things were tough at Robert Magill Ltd. Salvation for the business came along though, the day World War II broke out and burglars broke into the store and blew up the safe. When a fire started soon after, the burglars scarpered empty handed and were never caught. Much of the stock was smoke damaged and after the insurers wrote everything off, Robert could later sell the goods as ‘fire damaged’. Ironically this ‘fire sale’ concept struck a chord with his customers and this popular retailer had found a new niche. When Pat joined the firm in the late 40s it was time to take it in a new direction; it was time to roll out the carpet and Robert retired soon after, happy to have his son finally in charge.
THE SEEDS of discontent
The 1930s depression affected a lot of people, including the Magill’s but the poverty experienced by other families living in houses at the bottom of Milton Road, which Pat walked past daily, was heart-breaking and palpable.
When kids have to go without, when they lack choices, things crumble, he says. “Punish the young and you create an underbelly of resentment, that will reveal itself somehow, somewhere, further down the track”. Through the 40s and 50s, that resentment grew with Milton Road serving as the incubator for disaffected youth who would help form the Mongrel Mob in the 60s.
CHAPTER TWO
PAT AND MARIE CREATE THEIR OWN WORLDS
BY JES MAGILL
BIG BROTHER GOES FIRST – AND LOVE WALKS IN THE DOOR
After graduating as a wool classer from Massey Agricultural College and keen to indulge his passion for the outdoor life, Pat secured a role as a shepherd at Mangatutu Station, Puketitiri, in the foothills of the Kaweka Ranges, for successful Hawke’s Bay farmer Lou [Lew] Harris.
The hopeful shepherd, joined by two others, became more ‘developer’s assistant’ though. This was the mid-40s when land prices were on the rise and Lou could see land was a smart investment. So rather than tend livestock and help maintain a working farm as anticipated, Pat and his mates spent more time fencing and preparing the land for development. These were still great times though and after three years, he left Mangatutu and returned to the bright lights of Napier.
Living in the country did confirm his passion for the lifestyle and gave him a love for Puketitiri as well, an area which enters Pat’s story again in a few years’ time. He’d also met the love of his life, Catherine O’Donnell, a trainee nurse from New Plymouth who’d moved to Napier in 1946. Being closer to town gained a sense of urgency, and matters of the heart would eventually steer Pat towards joining the family business and making plans to settle down.
The career choices for the women in his life were much simpler. They were free to follow their hearts and Pat has always been surrounded by exemplary nurses. His mother Jessie, born in 1889, was keen for a career and while you wouldn’t have called her a feminist, she was certainly a trailblazer.
Through her work as a Plunket Nurse she was known for developing her own solutions for the needs of mothers and babies in her care. She could even be described as gently rebellious, a trait that obviously appealed to young Pat’s sensibilities.
Opposite: Steps linking Cameron and Milton Road that Pat traversed thousands of times; Above: Siblings together again after Marie and David return from Indonesia for a brief family holiday in 1961.
Pat and Marie create their own worlds 19
Above: Citizen Pat develops a commitment as much to community as to commerce; Opposite (clockwise from top): Three mates hoeing squash in Clive to pay debts, Peter Harris, Pat and Vic Kurta; Alan Peake, Pat and Peter Harris relax at Adelaide’s Glenelg Beach after a train ride from Newcastle; Skating with mates on the Marine Parade, Peter Harris, Brian Russell, Pat and Alan Peake.
20 Pat and Marie create their own worlds
Catherine always spoke fondly of ‘living-in’ at Hinepare Nurses’ Home with its stunning views over Hawke Bay and the Kaweka Ranges. Loving everything about this time of her life, she also came top of her class in 1949, winning the coveted Florence Nightingale Award.
Soon after arriving in the Bay, Catherine met Pat at the home of her closest friend Janet McKenzie who as luck would have it, lived in Cameron Road right next door to the Magills. Catherine visited Janet one night and the plan was to play bridge, but the group was ‘short of a hand’. Fortunately Pat was home so was invited to ‘pop over and make up a pair’ – a prophetic invitation if ever there was one.
Although Pat’s first impressions of Catherine were of “a gracious and pretty woman, out of my league” in time they were engaged and in April 1951 [1950], the couple married in New Plymouth at St Joseph’s Catholic Church.
Within the confines of the era, their marriage was judged “mixed”. Catherine was brought up a Catholic and Pat was considered Protestant, although by now he’d shed his strict religious education and if he had to label himself, he would say, “Free Thinker”.
Because Catherine’s marriage to Pat was frowned on by Catholic doctrine, their ceremony had to be held in the vestibule beside the main church, which was disappointing to the young bride. Pat was disappointed too that Robert didn’t attend the wedding but given the combination of his son marrying a ‘Doolan’ and being
Pat and Marie create their own worlds 21
Above: The happy day, New Plymouth, April 7, 1950 with bridesmaids Mary O’Donnell (Catherine’s sister), Janet McKenzie and Molly McCarthy with best man Clyde Jeffrey, groomsmen Brian Russell and Peter Harris; Opposite: Pat plays half back for the victorious 1950 NHSOB team.
22 Pat and Marie create their own worlds
[NAPIER H.S.O.B. FOOTBALL CLUB]
SENIOR, 1950.
WINNERS MADDISON TROPHY – BOWMAN CUP – LANCE PRESTON MEMORIAL CUP.
Back Row: K.J. MCGREGOR, A.D. HUNTER, S.T. BURGESS, B.A. SWEET, R.H. POPE
Middle Row: J. MCKENZIE, R.H. SURGENOR, B.G. RUSSELL, A.S. STROTHER, B. McCONOCHIE, I.A. ATKINS.
Front Row: R.B. HAWKINS (Club Captain), R.P. MAGILL, I.E. STUART (Captain), S.N. MCKENZIE (Coach), F.W. CHAPMAN (Vice-Captain), K. BANKS, H. PALMER (Chairman).
A CONDON
J. BROWNLIE
Played 16
Won 13
Lost 3
J. CONLY
R. A. JOHNSTONE
Points for 207
Points Against 96
Champ. Pts 26
not far off 80 years of age, this particular journey was simply a step too far.
Robert did encourage Marie and Jessie though to, “Find themselves the best dresses and hats in the shop, and stay somewhere nice”. For Pat, marrying Catherine didn’t surprise him at all and in time, any dismay that either family felt at the time of the wedding, eventually dissolved, as irrational prejudices tend to do.
FAMILY BUSINESS BECKONS
When he finally did join the retail trade, Pat made the inspired move to sell carpet, rugs and vinyl, ably assisted by carpet layer and upholsterer, Harry Temple. Although Pat’s new career was determined by family obligation, he injected his trademark enthusiasm and love of fun into his work. Over time he and his team successfully recreated and expanded the business into a chain of stores throughout the region, with a very sharp accountant on board too, Peter Danks.
A people-person to his core, Pat was a huge asset on the shop floor and had a strong sense of colour too, which he used to gently guide his customers towards making the right flooring – and later furniture – choices for their homes. “Yes, that colour will look great in your home, and Axminster hides a multitude of sins, Mrs Jones”.
He was popular in the community too. He genuinely cared for people and as a young man, was keen to help out wherever he saw there were needs. In essence, he was driven to help those who were marginalised, especially due to circumstances beyond their control.
RANFURLY SHIELD GLORY DAYS – HAIL PRESIDENT!
Following his marriage, rugby remained a huge part of Pat’s life. He played half back to NHSOB for around eight years, and even represented Hawke’s Bay for one and a half games. A good player but not a great one, Pat went on to support Hawke’s Bay rugby by becoming the Hawke’s Bay Rugby Football Union president for a year during the Magpies stunning three year reign when they held the Ranfurly Shield from 1966-1969 – the hallowed ‘Log o Wood’ – for 22 consecutive games.
Part of securing success was finding great players from around the country and enticing them to the Bay. Rod Abel came up from Christchurch and Pat and Catherine often invited him home for dinner. She cooked tripe and onions for Kel Tremain too and Neil Thimbleby and Barry Neale were often at home as well.
Pat and Marie create their own worlds 23
Occasionally, the Rugby Boys would help out in the shop and shift a roll of carpet here, lay a roll of vinyl there. Some players learnt the trade so well they started their own firm, like Barry Neale.
Oh what glory days they were, with parades through town every Saturday and Hawkeye, the ‘squawking’ 4m mascot made from aluminium, was the second attraction after the players. Pat even hitched Hawkeye up to the back of his green Plymouth, and loading the family in the car, they made the long, slow journey across to Taranaki where Hawke’s Bay was challenging for the Shield. It was a bit nerve wracking, being followed by a giant bird the entire trip. Sadly, Hawke’s Bay wasn’t victorious so bird and family travelled home with rather dull plumage. And it didn’t help that dead magpies were hung on fences by jubilant Taranaki farmers and lined our exit out of the province. Victory wasn’t far away though, with Hawkeye eventually securing her own revenge.
Above: Rescued and relieved fishermen after spending a night stranded at sea: Bill Lamason, Pat and Tim, Peter and Christine Danks and Harry Temple with John Magill, (read more on opposite page); Catching the big ones, a marlin at Mayor Island: Opposite: landing a tuna at Te Oneroa-a-Tohe/Ninety Mile Beach.
24 Pat and Marie create their own worlds
PASSIONATE HUNTER GATHERER
Before becoming a conservationist around the mid ‘60s, Pat eagerly embraced any opportunities to catch fish, including deep sea fishing, gather and dive for seafood and ‘go for game’ whenever he could. With his trade-mark energy and lust for life, he enjoyed plenty of adventures with his mates – six kids didn’t seem to hold him back!
His most high profile adventure turned into the stuff of nightmares literally, when out on a fishing trip with his leading shop staff, Harry and Peter, and friend Bill Lamason struck engine trouble and drifted without power overnight north of Napier in a wild, stormy sea. Rescue planes and boats scoured the coastline when weather allowed at first light the bedraggled, tired group sure was grateful when the rescue crew arrived. The boys soon relaxed when a thermos of fortifying liquid was handed round, with the scene captured in the local paper. These were good years, when most felt they were living in the lucky country.
Pat and Marie create their own worlds 25
Anti-clockwise from top: Pat and Catherine with Marie at her graduation, where she passed with top nursing honours of her year, winning the Florence Nightingale Cup; A reunion for siblings, partners and many babies. Soon Marie and Pat will have six children each and both a set of twins; Our man in Indonesia and proud to open the refurbished Lions Club Pavilion at Immanuel Hospital, made possible through fundraising efforts of the Napier Lions Club; Opposite: a few years later, Torbay GP David and able supervising practice nurse Marie, settled back in New Zealand and administering to the community.
26 Pat and Marie create their own worlds
MARIE’S CAREER TAKES OFF
While Pat was establishing himself, it was Marie’s turn next to step out into the world. After leaving school and inspired by Jessie, she also trained as a nurse, enrolling at Napier Hospital. She was passionate and talented in her chosen career and in 1954 also topped her class, picking up the Florence Nightingale Award just a few years after Catherine.
Then, late one evening in 1956, working night shift at the hospital, Sister Magill met her future husband, sixth year trainee doctor, David Gray. Following a three month courtship and a meeting of hearts, minds and souls, these young medical talents married that same year. They were both keen to carry out missionary work and three years later left New Zealand to take up roles at Immanuel Hospital in Bandung, Java, as surgeon and tutor sister. By now they had two babies on board, and Jessie joined the group as vital family support.
SIBLINGS CONNECT IN INDONESIA
Pat first visited the Grays in Bandun in the early 1960s, impressed with their work and aware of the undeniable challenges at the hospital, he worked diligently with the Napier Lion’s Club to help raise funds for the renovation of two nurses’ hostels, which were completed to Napier architect Barry Sweet’s designs.
Pat loved Indonesia – the people, culture, food and occasional clove cigarette and made several more visits back there. In 1968 he took his eldest daughter Jan, who stayed on with the Grays for six months. She observed hospital life, helped out with the children and even assisted the family’s recovery from Dengue fever. Inspired by the long line of familial nurses before her on both sides of the family, Jan became one herself after completing training in Brisbane, and Pat and Catherine’s second daughter Mary-Anne also trained as a nurse.
Then in 1975 Pat introduced Catherine and the rest of the kids to this enticing tropical paradise for a month. They explored Java from Jakarta in the north and down through the island before heading over to Bali for a few days on their way home. Pat started another business too, back in Napier with son John called the Batik & Asian Trading Company. They imported and sold Indonesian clothing, homewares and accessories. With its laid back vibe, cool music and aroma of incense wafting through, the store was a mecca for those in town keen to experience something more exotic than anything else on offer at the time. It was fun while it lasted!
GRAYS HEAD HOME
Working at Immanuel Hospital for 12 challenging and exhilarating years, Marie and David made an undeniable contribution there. They are still praised for the work and progress made during their posting, in what was to become a life defining experience for the entire family. They were also blessed with four more daughters – productive times indeed!
Keen to give the girls a New Zealand education, the Grays returned to Auckland in 1971 and with family connections on the North Shore they set up their new life in Torbay. David ran a general practice there for 17 years, with Marie assisting and supervising the practice nurses until David’s retirement in 1988.
There has been nothing sedate about this couple’s retirement. Theirs has been a precious opportunity for the couple to focus more on their passions, talents and community work. Over the years Marie has written seven books, including the bestseller Irish in the Blood, based on the family’s journey from Ireland to New Zealand and the challenging years that followed. David, a keen sailor – along with everyone else in the family – helped develop MERC, the Sir Peter Blake Marine Education and Recreation Centre at Long Bay. The couple are active campaigners against rampant development and pollution that threatens significant local coastline and habitats. Also a talented artist, David published his memoir recently, Write it Down Why Don’t You. It features many of his own paintings and illustrations, while chronicling his life and times through his fascinating, and valued achievements.
Pat and Marie create their own worlds 27
CHAPTER THREE
THE WESTSHORE YEARS
Following the joyous wedding which gathered 70 guests in Catherine’s beloved home town, New Plymouth, the newlyweds kicked off their honeymoon in a cabin at Mokau, which looked out over the Tasman Sea. They couldn’t see much on arrival though as darkness had already fallen. The next day they drove on to Jessie and Robert’s bach at Taupo and enjoyed a week of r & r that included quite a lot of fishing for trout on the lake.
Back home in Napier they started small, taking up residence in a caravan at the Westshore Camping Ground. They named their temporary home Navarac (caravan backwards), and stayed there for a year while they saved for their own place. “Fun and hippy-ish” is how Pat recalls their “camping” days and he realised he’d definitely married the right woman: “She had more money than me. I even lived off her for a while!” Meanwhile, he was busy developing Robert Magill Ltd into a carpet store of significance and Catherine, now the respected and popular Sister Magill, continued to impress with her serene and exemplary nursing skills.
Pat became a Westshore fan from the time he trained his prized horse Manyana along the beach, and Catherine came to love the area too. Hardly anyone else wanted to live there at the time though. Westshore was pretty shabby, especially along Charles Street which was known as “old wharfie land”. Most of their peers
Top: Sunset on the Taranaki coastline; Middle – Untitled – Westshore from Bluff Hill, Napier, Sophia Davidson, gifted by Mrs Margaret Perry, Collection of Hawke’s Bay Museums Trust, Ruawharo Ta-u-rangi, 2017/7/44; Bottom: Westshore today, showing the land between the Westshore Spit and the Poraite hills, which rose 1.5m as a result of the 1931 earthquake.
The Westshore years 29
were preferring to live on the hill but the young Magill couple was resolute in wanting their place by the sea.
With their first baby nearly due, their next move was to a rented cottage along Westshore’s Main Road, opposite the airport. It was here that Catherine Janice (soon to be called Jan) joined the family and 16 months later another gorgeous baby girl, Mary-Anne arrived. The girls remember happy times here especially playing with Rudolf, a beautiful black cocker spaniel and enjoying many walks with him along the beach.
In 1954, with another baby on the way it really was time to secure that larger home of their own. They finally settled on a leasehold section at 3 Whakarire Avenue, Westshore which they bought from Clyde Jeffery for £400. (See sidebar opposite). This was prime waterfront real estate, literally right on the water’s edge but there was a catch.
The aptly named ‘Perfume Point’ by locals, where some of the city’s sewage was released, was just down the end of the avenue near the Ahuriri Channel. The council’s plan was to move the outfall to another location in the not too distant future. Finally, 15 years later
Clockwise from top left: Jessie and Bob with Janice and Mary-Anne at Repokite, 1955-ish; Easy seaside living at Westshore; architect was Martin Yeoman, working for Guy Natusch; the interior was considered the height of design style at the time; December 2020, Perfume Point in the distance taken from Shed 2; Perfume Point in the early days, from Navarac’s ‘front yard’, where Pat cheekily installed a BBQ on council land.
30 The Westshore years
it was shifted to Awatoto, in what was Westshore’s gain and Awatoto’s loss.
Through Brethren connections, a young architect called Martin Yeoman, who worked for Guy Natusch, was appointed to design the house. The section was narrow so the footprint was long and the three split-level house frontage was pretty much all glass to bring in as much of the sea view as possible. This was modern thinking and Navarac was a very modern home, designed on a budget for open and easy, seaside family living. That was exactly the family’s experience of a design that still looks contemporary today.
Family connections helped build ‘Navarac’ as the house came to be called. Catherine’s brother Pat O’Donnell, an experienced builder, moved over from New Plymouth for the duration of the project and was keen to see his ‘big sis’ settled into the couple’s new abode before the arrival of Baby Number Three.
Delivery day, September 2, 1955 and – it’s a boy! Prized and handsome, he was named Patrick Robert, who promptly became known as ‘Rob’. That’s because Pat’s full name is Robert Patrick but he was known as Pat, because his father was already called Robert … you get the idea. This was a uniquely Irish naming tradition if ever there was one. What is more clear is that young Rob had started something; a run of Magill males with twins Tim and John born two years later. And Jesma came along two years after that, resolutely completing a sterling child producing effort from Catherine and Pat.
Westshore Beach was a fantastic place for the Magill kids to grow up; it was their very own Splash Palace. The older girls surfed, summer and winter. Pat worried that the cold water could play havoc with their ovaries and even asked the family doctor whether continuous exposure to chilly seas could affect his daughters’ ability to have children. To which the doctor replied with a smile, “I wouldn’t be too concerned, Pat”.
The boys surfed too and as the children grew older they enthusiastically tapped into the ‘70s zeitgeist of sun, fun, music and freedom. The passion for which their children embraced the era was a little concerning for their parents but those seemed to be the times and they simply had to roll with it. It was mostly “all good” though, to quote one of Pat’s favourite mantras. Ever the optimist, if things weren’t exactly all good at the time, he held out hope that they soon would be and generally, they pretty much were.
PURCHASING 3 WHAKARIRE
Continuing from page 30, Clyde Jeffery then bought an existing house further along Whakaririe [Whakarire] Avenue and following his marriage to Margaret, they joined the aspirational procession to buy “on the hill”. Pat and Clyde were each other’s best men at their respective weddings and Clyde went on to become mayor of Napier from 1974 to 1983. As the men matured their political views diverged and Pat and others would lobby the council hard against the proposed development of a marina at the Ahuriri Estuary, which Clyde was all for. This was a passionate civic battle that raged for a number of years, with the environmentalists eventually winning the case (See Chapter 7)
Above: The front yard playground; Catherine loved taking a dip in Whale Bay, 20 steps from the house at high tide; Pat wonders how many kids can fit in a canoe.
The Westshore years
NAVARAC SEASIDE CHIC
In 2000 ‘Navarac’ was sold to someone the family considers the perfect buyer; someone who appreciated the design of the home, the spirit of the era in which it was built and the difference that quality, exciting design can bring to the lifestyles of those who live within its walls.
The buyer Judy Tindall is the daughter of an architect so she had a head start in design. When Jan and Jes visited Judy a couple of years ago they were thrilled, amazed and humbled at the respect that Judy has paid to the home in the ever-so-gentle renovations she undertook, as well as the homage her enjoyment of the home pays to the architect and the way Catherine had made the house a home.
All packed and ready to hike: family departs from the Napier Railway Station.
Magills’ childhood soundtrack:
WE LOVE TO GO A WANDERING ALONG THE MOUNTAIN TRACK …
Pat worked hard and played just as enthusiastically. Being involved in plenty of community projects, he also realised that quality family time was important; frequent holidays were essential and a lot of fun could be had by combining the two.
Time away exploring, whether it was at Cape Kidnappers, Puketitiri, Lake Waikaremoana, Taupo; hiking in the great outdoors or enjoying adventures in the big cities, it was “Buckle up kids, we’re off”. And in 1967, walking the Milford Track as a family was a standout highlight.
Above: Iconic South Island location images by Anne Johnston, clockwise from top left, Lake Matheson; Purakanui [Purakaunui] Falls, Catlins, and the Catlins Coast.
NAPIER H.S.O.B. FOOTBALL CLUB
SENIOR, 1950.
WINNERS MADDISON TROPHY – BOWMAN CUP – LANCE PRESTON MEMORIAL CUP.
Back Row: K.J. MCGREGOR, A.D. HUNTER, S.T. BURGESS, B.A. SWEET, R.H. POPE
Middle Row: J. MCKENZIE, R.H. SURGENOR, B.G. RUSSELL, A.S. STROTHER, B. McCONOCHIE, I.A. ATKINS.
Front Row: R.B. HAWKINS (Club Captain), R.P. MAGILL, I.E. STUART (Captain), S.N. MCKENZIE (Coach), F.W. CHAPMAN (Vice-Captain), K. BANKS, H. PALMER (Chairman).
A CONDON
J. BROWNLIE
Played 16
Won 13
Lost 3
J. CONLY
R. A. JOHNSTONE
Points for 207
Points Against 96
Champ. Pts 26
CHAPTER FOUR
GLORY RUGBY DAYS CONTINUE
For the son of devout Brethren followers, taking part in sport was discouraged but Pat was a natural sportsman and a passionate one too. Rather than being a form of unconscious rebellion against strict disciplines, his passion for all things sporty was simply a love for action, friendship and fun that was enjoyed all the more when he was playing with a team.
“It didn’t matter how good you were or whether you won, sport for me was simply being part of something that was healthy and positive.”
The 1950 Napier High School Old Boys’ (NHSOB) team, with Pat as half back, enjoyed a dream run picking up the triumvirate of prestigious rugby awards; the Maddison Trophy, Bowman Cup and Lance Preston Memorial Cup. A proud member of the NHSOB team for a good number of years, he even played a couple of games for Hawke’s Bay around this era.
When it came time to hang up his ‘serious rugby’ boots, Pat joined the committee of the Hawke’s Bay Rugby Union. One of the more high profile events hosted under his watch as president in the late 60s, was the charity match that pitted the remnants of the legendary Hawke’s Bay Ranfurly Shield winning team, against a stellar line up of former All Black greats at McLean Park.
The event gathered together the cream of New Zealand rugby. The Hawke’s Bay hospitality was hearty and generous and the visiting rugby stars were treated to scenic rides in Lou Harris’s plane at Brooklands, flown by his legendary top dressing pilot Dick Beattie.
Included in the Abs line up was Peter Jones (rugby’s wonder kid from Kaitaia), plus four Going brothers and Wilson Whineray, to name just a few. Provincial greats included Rod Abel and Kel Tremain, who assisted the host team in securing the community-spirited win.
Pat realised early on that sport involves so much more than being fit and winning. “Sport brings people together and brings communities together too. Community involvement, and especially engaging young people in healthy pursuits benefits the entire community. Young people who have purpose and community spirit don’t join gangs”, he says, “and that leads to healthier, stronger communities. Sport is good fun too – everyone needs some fun”.
Above: Rugby gods and an avid fan: Peter Jones, Kelvin Tremain, Wilson Whineray and Pat. Kelvin Tremain: 1938-1992, played for Hawke’s Bay and New Zealand before becoming an administrator. He won 38 caps as flanker for the All Blacks between 1959 and 1968 and scored nine tries, with his contribution to New Zealand rugby rating up there alongside Colin Meads. Opposite page: (clockwise from top) – Napier High School Old Boys’ 1950 Dream Team; Charity match line up, Hawke’s Bay v former All Black’s at McLean Park, late ’60’s; scenic rides for the Boys; Catherine and Pat with Ian Kirkpatrick; Magpies lock Rod Abel and Pat on prescribed r & r and kaimoana gathering, Rod worked for Pat in the shop for a while; Pat officiating as president at the charity match welcome function hosted by Lou Harris at Brooklands Station.
Glory rugby days continue 37
“Sport brings people and communities together. Community involvement, and especially engaging young people in healthy pursuits, benefits the entire community because young people who have purpose and hope don’t join gangs. Sport is good fun too – everyone needs some fun.”
Above: For three years that the Hawke’s Bay rugby team kept the revered Ranfurly Shield in the province, McLean Park was the place to be most Saturday afternoons for a lot of people, young and old.
38 Glory rugby days continue Glory rugby days continue 39
PAMELA TREMAIN REMEMBERS KIND, GENEROUS GESTURES
The one big memory I have of Pat is the way he looked after us. Kelvin and I rented a house in 1963 in Griffin Street, Napier at £4.4 shillings a week and we lived there for three years. Bruce Hawkins, the club captain, lived next door and he probably organised the rental for us.
In 1964 Pat put down carpet for us in the hallway. I think it was to welcome Kelvin home from the 1963/64 tour to England. It was a kind and generous gesture to our little home. We only owned two Bisonia squares at the time, one in the lounge and one in the dining room!
The Napier High School Old Boys’ Rugby Club also gifted us a bedroom suite as a wedding gift, giving us a bed to sleep on. I am sure this would have been through Pat and it was another gesture that was appreciated for years. We used the bed, dressing table and drawers for a long time and still treasure the many family memories that went along with them.
In those days rugby was not professional but people were kind and thoughtful and I am sure Pat did a lot for others as well, over many years.
Above: The era of amateur rugby: when Kelvin returned home from the 1967 ABs tour just before Christmas the couple hadn’t seen each other for nearly four months. During the 1963 tour Kel was away for longer. With new babies and Kel missing Christmas, Pam’s parents were godsends.
“It didn’t matter how good you were or whether you won, sport for me was simply being part of something that was healthy and positive.”
RUGBY RULES
JES RECOLLECTS
The rugby incident that is strongest in my memory is the time we all piled into the Plymouth, again, and headed to Taranaki (probably 1966) for a Hawke’s Bay away-game with the eye on the prize – wrestling that hallowed log, that sacred wooden shield, over to the Bay.
We had an extra on board. The team’s mascot, Hawkeye with her wings clipped for the journey, was hooked up to the car for the ride across country. It was weird and disconcerting, being tailed by this massive creature who looked for all the world like she really was going to fly.
Long story short: Hawke’s Bay lost and the journey home was subdued. Initially. (Six kids in a confined space don’t do subdued for long.) Even more disconcerting on our way out of Taranaki though, was seeing dead magpies tied to fence posts by gloating ‘Naki farmers, for the beaten challengers to view on their way home.
It wasn’t long though before the Hawke’s Bay rugger team’s famous three-year long Ranfurly Shield winning streak kicked in, and oh those changing fortunes did taste sweet.
Above: McLean Park – image courtesy Napier City Council; Hawkeye is resplendent at one of her many parades; four birds in town – Catherine, Jan and Mary-Anne proudly view the town’s mascot.
THERE’S SOMETHING ABOUT A MAGPIE
BY ROBERT HOUSTON
(verse 1 of 3)
There’s something about a Magpie,
there’s something about a Magpie,
there’s something about a Magpie
that is fine, fine, fine.
And here’s to the mighty Hawkeye
who gives the Hawke’s Bay war cry,
the greatest rugby cry of all
time, time, time.
When the Hawkeye guys are roaring,
the Hawke’s Bay team is scoring and
once again they’ve swept across the
line, line, line.
Then you’ll hear the Hawkeye cry,
as the Bay team scores a try.
Three cheers for black and white,
they’re going to win again.
WONDERFUL WEEKLY MAYHEM – FOR THREE YEARS!
BY TIM MAGILL
In Pat’s playing days and in his later rugby admin era, rugby was it. Nowhere more than in the Mighty Hawke’s Bay Shield era when the Bay held off 22 challenges. Then, even as a youngster playing for Napier High School Old Boys’ under the keen eye of Monty Timms, it felt good to play the game.
Then there were the parades and they were huge, to both welcome and intimidate shield challengers and visiting international teams. A typical extravaganza would head down Emerson Street from the Marine Parade; young playing teams like ours, sort of marching. There was music, local and visiting floats, colourful and cheeky, all filing festively past the Criterion Hotel, where the visiting team would watch from the balcony.
Big crowds of spectators would cheer the parade on down to Clive Square where this wild throng would disperse and get ready to descend on McLean Park, where the visitors would have to put up with this proud province in a frenzy yelling out, “C’mon The Bay!!!”
For one parade I recall Pat and his mates setting up a float. Impressive. A truck with a lot of rugby paraphernalia, greenery and people dressed of course in black and white. The main theme this time was standing proud in the middle of the deck, an old long drop with someone sitting inside on a loo seat, moaning and groaning. A professionally written sign nailed to the door said, “15 visiting players … ill at ease”.
Leading each parade was the headlining mascot Hawkeye, three to four metres high, on a trailer towed by probably Jock Stevenson. Our big magpie mascot would authentically gurgle out the menacing magpie call and a series of custom-penned songs through this era would be thrashed on local 2ZC. “There’s something about a magpie …” and “C’mon the Bay!!!” would shout the thousands in the stands.
I can recall at one parade on an out of town challenge, being towed, Hawkeye’s winds became untied from her tucked-down travelling position. The winds lifted as if she was taking flight. The drag uncoupled her at the tow ball as she veered (flew) for the curb. Brilliant, and no damage to our potentially escaping icon. Not long after at a home game, a large egg appeared on the field. Then something special happened. The egg started cracking and hatched a black and white, leotarded, wings slowly unfolding, baby magpie.
“Little Hawkeye” (Graeme Nicholson) from then on would prance up and down the side-line, entertaining the crowds and willing on our players while Mummy Magpie proudly gurgled from a higher vantage point.
As with the Bay players, new blood coming through and a smart succession plan helped the Bay’s Shield era go down in New Zealand rugby folklore. And what an era it was. We wouldn’t have missed it for the world, with all its wonderful weekly mayhem.
Opposite: Hawke’s Bay get hold of the ball again. Photo by James Coleman.
Above: Hawkeye is refurbished by the Tremain family in time for his 50th birthday. Simon Tremain shines the famous bird’s beak.
Glory rugby days continue 43
As Kiwi as it gets; the iconic Axminster range was a big seller for Robert Magill Ltd. Sadly it’s no longer made in New Zealand but companies like Mumma Jos NZ Made Recycled Rugs are keeping one of the nation’s favourite floor coverings accessible for those wanting to secure some nostalgic flooring gold for their home. Images supplied by [www].mummajos.com.
CHAPTER FIVE
CARPETS KEEP ON ROLLING
When Harry and Doris Temple moved to New Zealand from England and settled in Napier, for Pat it was the start of a very successful working relationship and for the families, a beautiful friendship. Harry was a carpet layer (and a former grenadier), while Doris was an upholsterer and together they formed Temple Upholstery. Harry and Doris had the knowledge and skills with carpet and Robert Magill Ltd had the customers.
On Pat and Harry’s first install one fine summer’s morning, Pat and Harry departed the store with a huge roll of carpet strapped to the roof of the shop’s small delivery van and drove out to an address in the country; the home of one very excited customer, keen to welcome this ‘product of the future’ throughout the bedrooms and living spaces. The word of mouth recommendation that resulted couldn’t have been better, for what was the start of thousands of successful carpet installations throughout the region.
Temple Upholstery also installed the carpet in Napier’s flash new Civic Building in August, 1968. Harry’s son Robbie recalls this as a massive job involving the largest supply of carpet, all 4200 yards of a 27” Axminster, that Robert Magill had been involved with to date.
According to The Daily Telegraph on August 3 that year; “The 780 yards of carpet on the top floor of the cafeteria-reception room will comprise the largest area covered by one piece of carpet in the whole of Hawke’s Bay”. The sewing of the seams was done with hand machines on site and Robbie operated one of them. Like father like son, Robbie and Pat also enjoyed a long and happy working relationship.
In the meantime Pat’s commitment to community work was gathering pace. He basically became a part-time boss, focusing his energies on the growing needs that he could see some people in Napier were experiencing. He knew that Napier could do better, that it could be a kinder and fairer city and it became his life’s purpose to do everything he could to help achieve this. Luckily back at the shop, he had a good team that kept the business ticking over when his mind and presence were elsewhere.
During the ‘70s and well into the ‘80s, carpet rolled swiftly out the shop door. These were great days to be in business in New Zealand, with a lot of growth in the economy. It was pretty much a captive market here with a closed economy, protectionist policies, and quality wool plentiful and appreciated. Globally the world was still gaining strength following World War II and as Western nations worked together to keep relations steady and resolute, the mood was stable and most thrived during the resulting era of welcomed peace and prosperity.
Carpets keep on rolling 45
THOSE GOOD OLD DAYS
The store the Magill kids remember most was in Hastings Street, on the site that Jessica’s Homewares later occupied for years. There were plenty of after school sessions here, probably under the guise of ‘helping out’ but mostly they simply had fun, jumping from roll to roll and playing hide and seek in the large circular cardboard bins that were used to display carpets around the shop walls.
They remember Pat’s gracious PA Belle Robson, who for years was kept busy dotting his i’s and crossing his t’s, always with a calm smile; and the big, burly carpet layers who forever heaved rolls of Axminster and broadloom into the shop, then hauled them out again seemingly in no time at all, to fill orders for customers keen to carpet their homes.
Clockwise from left: The dapper looking team at Robert Magill Ltd, 1967-ish, Frank Chambers, Don Grant, Pat, Ron Etherton, Peter Danks, Rod Abel and Leo Cash;
Welcome to Café Navarac where seafood was a speciality of the house; Rolls of carpet, everywhere.
TIM’S SHOP MUSINGS
I recall the old shop in Carlyle Street. It had become the warehouse and bulk storage part of the operation. Shoppers would go up to the flash Hastings Street shop to choose which carpet was the most suitable to go, for instance, up the back passage, or the bedrooms or lounge.
Back then this part of town was dingy. There was the drone of sawdust extraction from Robert Holt and Son’s sawmill. Jim car wreck yard was over the road. John and I once got busted by this Napier legend for smashing headlights in order to obtain the bulbs. (Jim locked us up until Dad bailed us out.)
The people I recall from this era are Roy Elms: a short man, husky smoker’s voice, close to retirement. Don Grant: nice and easy going like his brother Peter. Good to sit down with and ponder the big things in life, get your breath back, after humping a roll of heavy floppy carpet out for cutting up.
Dick Cooper, or Tick Cooper, was in charge of the Wairoa shop. Max Regan took care of the Dannevirke operation and at some stage there was a Hastings shop too. When Pat was fully into the carpet thing, he was dynamic. I recall an Exhibition/Retail Show in a warehouse along Pandora Road and Pat manning a flash display, showing the punters the latest carpet designs and styles of the day. His team were loyal and rugby connected. He gave a lot to the business until he became more keen to help Napier address its wider community shortfalls.
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THIRTY TWO
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Clockwise from top left: At Ferny Ridge behind the bach in the very early Puk days; “There’s a lot of lawn to mow, son” Pat says to Tim; Hickey relatives travel over from Taranaki to experience country living Hawke’s Bay style; Snowed in, a rare novelty; Pat climbs Kaweka J; and the mists roll in. Artworks on these pages by John Ruth.
CHAPTER SIX
PUKETITIRI – THE BUSH, THE BACH, THE LEGACY
A special place for the family is a precious stand of bush and a charming, rumpty old bach at Puketitiri, 60kms north west of Napier, in the foothills of the Kaweka Ranges and opposite Ball’s Clearing Scenic Reserve. This was formerly 20 acres of a long-forgotten corner of farmland but thanks to Pat and Catherine’s vision and hard mahi as well as that from many others, specially Rob and Bernard Lloyd over the years, the pasture was regenerated back into native bush and is now protected from future development by a Department of Conservation covenant.
The land was purchased in 1964, following a week’s family holiday that Pat and Catherine had booked at the old Puketitiri Hotel, an attraction within the Puketitiri settlement, which at the time was a thriving service town for the surrounding farming and timber milling communities.
The couple had packed the boot and piled six squirming kids into the Plymouth and travelled for nearly two hours on dusty winding roads, which brought on the inevitable car sickness and numerous stops. Finally reaching their destination with a hot and cranky carload, all were revived with hearty country pies, fizzy for the kids, a shandy for Catherine and for the driver, a cold beer.
It wasn’t long before Pat got talking to a farmer and a regular character at the bar, Buster Wright, who’d fallen on tough times and was selling off parcels of his land. One of these was located 5kms north of the hotel, opposite the stunning Ball’s Clearing which boasted one of the few remaining stands of virgin podocarp forest in the country, so the family piled into the car again to check out the location.
Pat was hooked instantly on the challenge of re-generating the bush and Catherine too shared in the dream of a retreat in the hills not too far from town that offered so much for everyone. They realised that bringing people together in nature was a powerful and positive thing that they could do not only themselves, but others as well and the land changed hands for £250.
The next step was to find a dwelling for eight. Soon after buying the property, the general store next door to the pub with its corrugated iron exterior and rimu-lined interior walls, went on the market for £5000. This store did more than just sell groceries. A room at the back of the shop was used as a ‘dry out; space for pub patrons who’d over indulged. When a customer was rendered legless, a few of the more sober lads would haul the offender next door, deposit them on the bed, and leave them to ‘sleep it off’.
Despite its quirky back story the store was judged ideal for a bach and was shifted up to its new location,
Puketitiri – the bush, the bach, the legacy 49
which to the south takes in the magnificent canopies of kahikatea standing sentinel at Ball’s, and to the north west, the mighty Kaweka Forest Park with its beech forests, tussock valleys and alpine shrub lands. The scene was set for decades of family fun and adventure that were initially enhanced by being off grid. There was no power or phone connection for many years, which simply added to the novelty and enhanced the quality of the time the family enjoyed there.
These days the bach has a few more comforts of home, such as hot running water and internet connection, but what will never change is the appreciation for the bush, the wilderness, the peace and quiet that everyone experiences the instant they arrive.
REBELS TO THE INDOCTRINATION
of their youth
BY STUART MANINS
I grew up not really knowing my cousins Pat and Marie Magill. My father John and Pat’s mother Jessie were brother and sister, which makes Pat and I first cousins. They lived in Napier and we lived in Auckland. When they did come north sometimes in the holidays, they either went to their cottage at Lake Taupo or to a farm they owned near Hamilton. It wasn’t until Marie and Dr David Gray married that things changed. I got to know Marie first and then Pat later on.
I have always felt close to Pat. In some, quite different ways we are both rebels to the indoctrination of our youths. We have both sought to foster the compassionate ways of the world without maintaining a close connection to The Open Brethren. We have an unusual sense of humour and enough in common to get us evicted from most politically correct congregations.
These photos were taken at Magill’s forest block north-west of Napier where Margaret and I joined Catherine and Pat for a delightful weekend somewhere about 1994.
Rebel cousins Pat and Stuart Manins catch up at the bach in 1994 and enjoy plenty of debate and fellowship; Painting, Mountain Stream by John Ruth.
Puketitiri – the bush, the bach, the legacy
Clockwise from top left: Catherine and Pat on the front porch of the bach – ideal for family shots; Pat and granddaughter Jerri Magill working on the tracks; The ‘Dim Wits’ come for lunch, a long time, fun time social group of Catherine and Pat’s; it’s a favourite, fishing the Mohaka; a few town comforts ensure a great summer; resting up after doing the lawns.
PUKETITIRI AND KAWEKA FOREST PARK
BY CATHERINE’S COUSIN ANNE JOHNSTON
Over 40 years ago I visited the Magills at Puketitiri in the foothills of the Kaweka mountain range and the area made such an impression on me then, I longed to return. And, in 2021, I did. What drew me to akaututu this part of New Zealand? I remembered the sense of isolation, the serenity, the silence but for birds, the beautiful trees and crisp mountain air.
The Maori translation of Puketitiri is “the hills over which the mutton birds flew”. The once thriving Puketitiri settlement is 54km north west of Napier on the Puketitiri Road and then on to Ball’s Clearing Reserve a further 5k on the Pakaututu Road. The reserve was named after Jack Ball who built a cabin in the only natural clearing in the dense bush in 1890. Jack was a colourful character with only one eye. His companions were reputed to be a one eyed dog and a one eyed horse and he pulled his own plough!
Ball’s Clearing Reserve is an outstanding example of dense virgin bush, the only such example left in Hawke’s Bay. The giant podocarps are over 600 years old. They escaped the milling in the 1930s and the forest fires of the 1940s which wiped out most of the forest. The reserve is managed by DOC and has a large grassy area at the carpark, with picnic shelters and toilets. There is a network of walking tracks from 10 mins to 40 mins duration. However if you are a bird watcher or photographer, the distances vary considerably!
The podocarp forest consists of rimu, matai, miro and kahikatea with lower growth of fushia [fuchsia] and five finger trees. The floor is a profusion of ground ferns and mosses. In February it was all looking a bit sad from lack of rain but I had the good fortune to spot a ground orchid since identified as Gastrodia Cuninghamii. I heard kereru, tui and korimako (bellbird) but did not see them. However, I was frequently accompanied by cheeky, chirpy piwakawaka (fantail) far too busy to let me photograph them. I believe there are long tail bats in the forest which can often be seen at dusk.
It was great to be back up at ‘Puk’ again. There is so much historic and natural history in this part of Hawke’s Bay and I won’t wait so long to return next time.
Above: Fabulous photographer and happy wanderer Anne Johnston is happy as, parked up at Puk; Opposite, top left: It’s country roads for Rob, please, every time; Anne took the bird and flora images.
ROB’S PUK BUSH FILES
Over the years, working with Pat on regenerating the bush, we discovered inadvertently that larch makes an ideal nurse crop for native plants, blocking the light and suppressing grass growth in summer. Then in winter, when the trees lose their foliage (being deciduous), it creates the ideal amount of light for regenerating native plants. Seeds from native plants are brought in by birds from nearby forest remnants.
As the bush regenerated, being conservationists at heart, Pat and Catherine sought to covenant the property, so it would be protected in perpetuity. Two scientists from the Department of Conversation, Geoff Walls and John Adams came up from Napier in 1993 and agreed the property was botanically significant enough to covenant. Also, the fact that it is close to the Ball’s Clearing Reserve, was another reason they approved the proposal. It is satisfying to know that all the hard work that has gone into regenerating the bush on the property has been preserved.
HUNTING, SHOOTING, FISHING
When I was about 8 years old, Harry Maxwell, who was manager of the Lands and Survey farm at Puketitiri, took Pat and me hunting. We drove along the rustic gravel road and parked beside the Mohaka River. We crossed in the shallowest place but the river was still deep and the current swift, and then we made our way along the river terraces. It was mainly open country with an abundance of manuka scrub and a large herd of wild horses galloped away dramatically when we appeared on their scene. We saw a mob of pigs and Harry shot one. Further on, we stopped beside the river and Harry caught a trout, and then Dad shot a deer. All in all, it was a good day in the great outdoors!
IT STARTED WITH THE FOREST AND BIRDS
BY NEIL EAGLES, CHAIRMAN, FOREST & BIRD, NAPIER
Pat became branch chairman of the Forest & Bird Napier group in 1966 and continued in the role until 1981, guiding the branch successfully during that time. He had been called upon by the then chair Father Cyril Callaghan to take up the position following his appointment to another parish.
Pat was chairman during the Save Manapouri campaign; during the opposition to a dam at the Waipunga Falls and throughout the high profile opposition to the Ahuriri Estuary marina proposal. Pat was also a champion for the establishment of native forest reserves in Hawke’s Bay which led to the preservation of many areas.
In a more ‘hands on” role Pat’s interest in native forest conservation led him to purchase an 8ha rural block opposite the stunning Ball’s Clearing at Puketitiri. The property was formerly farmland that Pat, family and fellow conservationists have successfully regenerated back into native bush over the years.
CHAPTER SEVEN
THE ENVIRONMENT – PAT WALKS HIS TALK IN HIS OWN HOOD.
SAVING AHURIRI ESTUARY – ECO ACTIVISTS BEFORE THEIR TIME
In 1975, the Napier branch of the Forest & Bird Protection Society convened a meeting to discuss the future of the Estuary, with 200 people attending. These conservationists could see that the area was showing the strain of close proximity to urban life and the consequences that exposure to industry and demands from the public revealed. The meeting came out strongly in favour of protecting the Estuary in its natural state by making it a reserve. Then in 1976 a seminar was held at the Hawke’s Bay Community College on safeguarding the future of the Estuary, convened by then college head John Harre.
Environmentalism was a new thing in the 1980s. The term ‘green’ or ‘greenies’ first appeared in 1980 and they generally got a bad rap. The Ministry for the Environment hadn’t yet been created, the Resource Management Act hadn’t been thought of and it wasn’t until 1987 that the Department of Conservation was formed. It was a lonely space for conservationists but determination to protect fragile, unique ecosystems was high.
In early 1981, one of Napier’s first conservationists, Isabel Morgan helped form the Ahuriri Estuary Protection Society to guard the Estuary from dredging and development. Pat was chair of the Napier Forest & Bird Society which fully sported the initiative.
From the city council to the harbour board and most of the people of Napier, the value of the area wasn’t widely recognised, despite it being an important breeding ground for sea life and birds, as well as a recreational asset for the city.
In June 1981, another seminar was held at the Hawke’s Bay Community College, looking again at the future of the Estuary, and in July 1981 a public meeting was held at Colenso High School to discuss, among other topics,
Opposite page: Puketitiri bush walk, photo by Anne Johnston; Pat’s early Forest & Bird days with Father Callaghan and friends at Ball’s Clearing, Puketitiri.
Top: Astelia Fragrens flower. With thanks, details for this chapter are from the booklet Ahuriri Estuary, Napier – the story of the Ahuriri Protection Society from 1981 till 2010 published in 2011.
The Environment – Pat walks his talk in his own hood 57
forming the group, Friends of the Ahuriri.
Guest speaker that night was a zoologist from Auckland University, Professor John Morton who presented on the importance of the Estuary to the environment. Rather than inspiring people to ‘see the light’ a group of 20 power boat owners ‘saw red’ and disrupted the meeting. This group wanted the Estuary developed for power boats and water sports and their opposition on the night prevented the motion passing to form the Friends of Ahuriri. This was a mere temporary glitch however. “Friends of Ahuriri” was eventually formed and Isabel became the Society’s first chairperson, continuing in the role for more than 38 years.
ENVIRONMENTALISTS GO NEXT LEVEL
Plans for the development of the Estuary did not stop and a few years later became more grandiose. Some Napier residents had visions of a flash marina and apartment along Meeanee Quay, Surfers Paradise style. “They wanted to dredge the whole thing”, Pat said at the time.
Without permission to commence the project, the pro-marina team started building an earth wall to enclose the area desired for development and eco-activism in Napier was born. Late one dark night, people who still remain nameless, picked up shovels and breached the wall.
To badly paraphrase Winston Churchill, the greenies fought the boaties and developers on the beaches and took on the bureaucrats in the halls of power and they won. Definitely a win for the environment!
GREEN BECOMES COOL
Fifteen years later the tide had turned and the Ahuriri Estuary Protection Society was no longer an outlier. Awareness and popular opinion was growing the Ahuriri Estuary, was a vital life force for ecology and the environment. It was finally being valued, as the Tangata Whenua had done for centuries.
AWARENESS AND APPRECIATION AT LAST
In a heartening example of how things can change, in the mid-1990s when the expressway bridge was being built, stakeholders Opus and Fulton Hogan took note of natural wildlife values and collaborated with the Society. There was no dredging or digging and when the cycleway was under construction, DOC and the Society liaised to ensure that bird habitats weren’t threatened. Enlightenment indeed.
ESTUARIES HAVE BEEN DESCRIBED AS CANARIES IN THE MINE …
At the launch of the society’s booklet Ahuriri Estuary Napier, which chronicles the Society’s 30 year battle with bureaucracy and developers, Isabel said that being so close to the city, “the estuary will always be under pressure”.
The Society pointed out early on that the Estuary’s southern marsh is an important area for wading and migratory birds. As the city encroaches with its cycleways, commercial, industrial and residential developments near fragile natural habitats, these areas will need to be constantly watched to ensure development doesn’t creep even further.
Protecting the Estuary, and other natural environments is a never ending vigil. Environmentalists are aware that achieving future protection is an essential, ongoing process with outcomes that are as fragile as the environments that are constantly under threat.
58 The Environment – Pat walks his talk in his own hood
“Without people who understand and respect nature, all would be lost.”
GARY TAYLOR, ENVIRONMENT DEFENCE SOCIETY.
EFFECTIVE ADVOCACY 101
Gary Taylor, Chairman of the Environmental Defence Society, wrote the foreword for the book, Ahuriri Estuary Napier – The Story of the Ahuriri Protection Society from 1981 till 2010, commending the Society on the publication and its work over the years. “Without people who understand and respect nature, all would be lost”, he said.
“This account is analogous of what happens in many other parts of our wonderful country; people getting together in common cause and fighting what are often mindless development interests, to protect an important part of their local environment. Without community efforts like this we would live in a degraded place and our already poor record in protecting endemic wildlife would be even worse.
“This story exemplifies what makes effective advocacy; understanding the legal process; knowing how to mobilise public opinion when required; being measured, polite but firm in all inter-personal dealings with bureaucracies; and above all being determined over long periods of time.
“A wise person truly observed; conservation victories are temporary whilst losses are permanent. Bad things can keep coming back.”
Top: Ahuriri; Eco warriors reunite, Isabel Morgan and Pat at the time of the book launch in 2011.
“The perennial challenge for the society, is the ongoing tension and competition between environmental issues and public recreation.”
ANGIE DENBY, CHAIRPERSON AHURIRI ESTUARY PROTECTION SOCIETY
Te Whanganui-a-Orotu/Ahuriri Estuary, is classified as a nationally significant wildlife refuge and supports a diverse array of flora and fauna in a variety of habitats including conservation wetlands, terrestrial wildlife, and native fish spawning areas. Twenty-nine species of fish use the estuary during some component of their life cycle. Wetlands on the border of the estuary provides an important wading and breeding area for migrant bird species including the royal spoonbill and white heron. Sadly, multiple waterways of significance feed into the Estuary, many of which are used as stormwater discharge streams from Napier City and rural Hastings.
Top Images: The beauty in the details. Images by Helen Morgan, Isabel’s daughter, and Anne Johnston; Estuary boardwalk by Helen Morgan.
#PATSMANTRAS
“It’s all about doing it better.”
AHURIRI ESTUARY 50 YEARS ON
Fifty years after helping prevent a potentially devastating marina development from going ahead, Pat talks about the health of the Estuary now, as it struggles to survive under a new raft of 21st century challenges:
It’s encouraging that most stake holders connected to Ahuriri Estuary are trying to do better. From the back country farmers, through to industry and residents, there’s more awareness around the fact that the Estuary, Te Whanganui-a-Orotu, is a fragile, vulnerable eco-system that needs to be protected.
But I often wonder about who has overall responsibility for the Estuary. Hawke’s Bay Regional Council is working hard to mitigate the effects of run off from farms into the Estuary; Napier City Council is overseeing water and stormwater issues, and the Department of Conservation is tasked with walking the tight rope between protecting and maintaining the natural heritage area, while encouraging more people to get out and enjoy it. I find it gobsmacking that plastic toys – big bouncy castles are allowed to be installed at the Pond, attracting hundreds of kids to play there each day, and adults to supervise them, resulting in more stress on the Estuary.
When Dame Anne Salmond visited the region four years ago, she reminded us that the Estuary is a small, vulnerable area that can’t tolerate heavy recreational use. “There’s too much expectation on a small bird sanctuary”, she said. Classified as a nationally significant wildlife refuge, the Estuary needs to be respected and nurtured as such, not only for the feel good factor of protecting our environment but for our livelihoods too, as an economy located on the coast.
It seems those who really need to listen to the warning of experts like Dame Anne often don’t, and the levels of collaboration required by pivotal stakeholders to achieve best outcomes for the Estuary aren’t as good as they might be but I know they’re working on that.
THREE MAIN AHURIRI ESTUARY CHALLENGES
Run off, sediments and nutrients from farms
Sewage that’s pumped in occasionally and when it rains heavily
Industrial zones right on its border
Above: Pat is concerned that it’s unclear which local body has overall responsibility for Ahuriri Estuary.
The Environment – Pat walks his talk in his own hood 61
“Thorough analysis of our waterways are essential if we’re to preserve our blue economy. We live in a blue, watery world and, along with the land, the state of our rivers, lakes, groundwater, estuaries and harbours are fundamental to Kiwi health and prosperity, now and in the future”.
DAME ANNE SALMOND
Godwits can’t rest on water or feed at sea like seabirds, which makes their 11,000km journey the longest non-stop flight undertaken by any bird.
“Pat has an incredible spirit. He’s a pioneer, a man ahead of his time, and we need pioneers for others to follow.”
Opposite Page: Ahuriri Estuary, photo by Lee Pritchard; Above: Clockwise from top left: The Birds of Ahuriri Estuary, the Bar Tailed Godwit (Kuaka), our migrant from Alaska; Royal Spoonbill; Pied Stilt (Poaka), White-faced Heron; Variable Oystercatcher and a Black-fronted Dotterel; Photos by Brent Stephenson @Eco-Vista.
HEARTENING COLLABORATIONS
for the Estuary
With people like Hinewai Ormsby voted on to the Hawke’s Bay Regional Council last year, the people of the region can feel assured there’s a strong voice lobbying consistently for the restoration and preservation of the environment, for this generation and those to come.
Also co-director of award-winning tourism business Napier Maori Tours with her husband Cam Ormsby, Hinewai is passionate about doing all she can to help keep Ahuriri Estuary safe, through her dual roles.
A collaboration between fourth generation sheep and beef farmers, the Holt family, and Napier Maori Tours in late 2019 saw this couple recognised with the first ever Environment Award at the Hawke’s Bay Tourism Awards that year, for walking their talk and improving the region’s environment.
At the time Hinewai said, “As a tourism business focusing on Maori culture and kaitiakitanga (environmental stewardship), we take our responsibility for protecting our environment seriously. We achieve this by growing close to 3,000 native trees each year that we plant around the waterways that feed the Ahuriri Estuary.”
According to Hawke’s Bay App, this was the first time that two distinct businesses – tourism and farming – have collaborated to contribute to a healthier Estuary, and in the past two years they’ve instigated numerous similar initiatives. “As locals”, Hinewai said, “we have a responsibility to protect the lands and waters that surround us.”
Opposite: Hinewai Ormsby, treasuring the Estuary and doing all she can to keep it healthy; Above, Hinewai and Pat at Waitangi Regional Park; Cam and Hinewai Ormsby, a strong team for the environment.
The Environment – Pat walks his talk in his own hood 65
SMART IDEAS – REASONS FOR OPTIMISM
New chairperson of the Ahuriri Estuary Protection Society, Angie Denby, says the society’s mandate is to ensure the Estuary is a place that people want to come and visit, and they’ve got plenty of plans.
The society’s mandate, Angie says, is for the preservation of the current area, advocating for restored and protected wildlife environments, networking with others with shared goals, and education for the public on the ecology and importance of this sensitive environment.
At the annual January picnic, the reinvigorated group says it’s keen to bring as many people together who have an interest in the Estuary’s restoration and preservation, and that includes building networks with individuals, groups, organisations and business.
They’re keen to attract younger people to the group as well. “Most members are older with spare time and we need younger people to get involved too. Our focus is in circulating ideas, keeping things in the public eye and bringing young people on board to help with this.”
Angie recently linked up with Richmond School and took groups of children to see the 200 to 300 Godwits when they arrived at the Estuary as part of their epic annual migration in November. “The Bar-tailed Godwit/Kuaka is the ‘nobility’ of migrants, having flown directly from Alaska in the spring. The others don’t come nearly as far! That to me is what’s important, people getting to know what happens at the Estuary and helping them to connect with it.”
The society also organised an educational talk focused on godwits in February. The guest speaker was a member of the Australian Flyway, a group interested in the 11,000km annual journey that the godwits make. Members share knowledge and assist countries on the godwits’ migratory path, to restore and maintain wetlands.
The society was run by co-founding stalwart Isabel Morgan for 35 years. Pat was involved in those early days when the group was set up to stop development in the area following the proposal of a marina. “It was a minor miracle really that they succeeded and our job now is to keep what’s there, not to let anything be removed or altered”, says Angie.
The Napier City Council is working on an encouraging initiative at Lagoon Farm, which runs alongside Prebensen Drive. “The aim is to turn this area into a wetland in order to clean up the dirty water that comes through there. When it rains something like 70% of Napier’s stormwater runs into the estuary in some shape or form, so we’re hopeful the wetland will filter the water and ease pollution in the estuary.
“The council is also doing a lot of monitoring to find out exactly what is going into the water. Management plans are being arranged with each and every industry in the Onekawa and Pandora industrial areas, just like they are for farmers, so everybody is needing to become accountable whether they like it or not.
“It feels like there’s movement now, whereas before there was kind of resistance to doing anything to help clean up the area. And it’s coming from central Government. They are saying, ‘You’ve got to do it’.
“This is such a welcome turnaround from the early days when environmentalists felt the society was perceived as a lone, crazed voice. Isabel and Pat were the foot soldiers, the ones who held on to the belief that what they were doing was right, despite their stance being unpopular at the time.”
The perennial challenge for the guardians/the kaitiaki of the estuary; is monitoring the ongoing tension and competition between industry, environmental issues and public recreation. “EIT now offers a course in Environmental Management, training people up in policy, so all these things will help”, Angie says.
Clockwise from top left: Perhaps Pat’s subliminal messaging from his front lawn was successful, with Greens’ Dr Elizabeth Kerekere now in Parliament; Pat is a staunch Greens supporter and sent Co-leaders Marama Davidson and James Shaw a copy of Healing Our History recently, one among dozens of MPs that Pat has sent the book to; the late Isabel Morgan at the opening of a new track at Tutira several years ago.
The Environment – Pat walks his talk in his own hood 67
HAWKE’S BAY REGIONAL COUNCIL:
THE AHURIRI ESTUARY PROTECTION AND ENHANCEMENT PROJECT
The Ahuriri Protection and Enhancement Project is focused on improving the overall health and water quality of Ahuriri Estuary by working with landowners in the catchment to reduce the high sediment and nutrient loads entering the estuary; and increasing indigenous habitats.
Over the past 3 years the project has funded the completion of 16km of fencing to exclude stock from waterways, installed over 45,000 native plants and 1300 poplar poles for erosion control and biodiversity enhancement within the catchment.
The long term management of Ahuriri Estuary is complex as it includes multiple management agencies and stakeholders with varying mandated responsibilities. In addition, there are also multiple values and uses which may at times be in conflict (e.g. ability to move stormwater away from infrastructure vs. contaminants affecting ecological values, and recreational values vs. wildlife refuge for protection of animals).
There should be confidence that a common vision can be developed to promote and facilitate a co-ordinated approach across the multiple agencies and stakeholders for the management and protection of Ahuriri Estuary into the future.
Thomas Petrie
Program Manager, Environmental Protection and Enhancement Project
AHURIRI PROTECTION AND ENHANCEMENT PROGRAMME
– THERE’S NO QUICK FIX
Large parts of Napier lie at, below, or only slightly over sea level. Drainage/pumping is needed to protect houses and infrastructure.
Pumping/drainage can carry contaminants into the estuary.
The estuary is highly modified and has too many contaminants (bacteria, etc), nutrients and sediment entering it.
The stormwater entering the estuary is an important source of freshwater to the system but we need to make sure that it is as clean as it can be, so that one day we would feel comfortable collecting food from the estuary again.
A marine invasive tubeworm (Ficopomatus enigmaticus) has boomed in recent years, causing issues to the hydrology of the estuary.
The problem is in the catchment in its entirety – we need to resolve issues relating to both urban and rural runoff. There is no ‘quick fix’.
Since 2017 Council’s Ahuriri Protection and Enhancement programme has worked to support:
removal of invasive tubeworm restricting estuary flow
fencing of waterways entering the estuary
planting of riparian margins and erodible land to prevent sediment entering the estuary
modelling to understand water and contaminant pathways into the estuary
Hawke’s Bay Regional Council is also working with Napier City Council to understand contaminants coming into the estuary from the urban stream network with the aim to reduce contaminant loads entering the estuary.
Anna Madarasz-Smith
Napier City Council, Team Leader Marine & Coasts
The long term management of Ahuriri Estuary is complex and requires that a common vision is developed between stakeholders. Image by Helen Morgan.
68 The Environment – Pat walks his talk in his own hood
#PAT-SPEAK
“I couldn’t live closer to the Ahuriri Estuary and I take my role as kaitiaki – as one of many guardians for the area – seriously. For years on my walks around the Estuary tracks I’ve picked up rubbish and I keep an eye out for spills and misdemeanours from industry that borders the sanctuary. I look after 9 hectares of regenerating bush at Puketitiri that 64 years ago was poor quality farmland and is now lush native bush protected by a DOC covenant. I have huge respect for and support the Green Party NZ and Forest & Bird New Zealand. But along with the tangata whenua, I’m concerned about the quality of water in Aotearoa. A lot of focus and mahi needs to go into this all around the country. There’s a lot of walking to do; the bigger the problem, the longer the walk.”
CHAPTER EIGHT
BEHIND THE FAÇADE
– DRIVEN TO ANSWER NEEDS AND A BICULTURAL AWAKENING
Pat’s inherent sense of justice is legendary, as was his big heart for a small kid, and keen perception to see early in life that there were, give or take, two sides to Napier. In simplistic terms, there were the Haves and the Have nots. There were elegant arches, genteel ways and choices for some, but not for all. As an idealist through and through, Pat knew that this separation wasn’t good for communities and his driving motivation for decades has been to try and right that balance, in his own unique style.
To his very core he is driven to help others, especially those marginalised through circumstances out of their control, namely colonisation and urbanisation. In the 50 years between 1930s and the 1980s, the Maori population transitioned from 83% rural-based to 83% urban, one of the fastest rates of urbanisation in the world. Norman Kirk said of the tangata whenua coming into the cities that it was, “the greatest migration since the canoes” and with that came massive upheaval.
Pat first became involved in community work in the early 50s, when he joined the Friendly Neighbours, a group run by Robin and Lou McMurray. Pat liked that they offered practical assistance, through delivering food and clothing parcels. He’d witnessed the seeds of poverty take hold in Milton Road; he saw when kids don’t have resources at home, when money is tight and
“Pat Magill gives new meaning to the term ‘social butterfly’. He comes from a successful business family and had been cocooned in the casual racist social chrysalis of the red-necked burghers of Napier. He was the chairman of the Hawke’s Bay Rugby Union, a role then akin to the Grand Wizard of the Ku Klux Klan in another land. Whether Pat had a spiritual epiphany or simply decided to enact his pragmatic Christian beliefs I do not know but in the 1970s Pat Magill underwent a radical transformation a metamorphosis, and emerged as a Treaty-conscious social-justice activist. He was reborn as a socialist butterfly”. By Denis O’Reilly.
(See full korero on page 73.)
Opposite page: Photo Sandy Millar; Above, top; Napier’s iconic statue, Phoenix rising up from the ashes; below; Napier’s heroic friendly outlaw; Pat’s fundraising style was likely inspired by Robin Hood.
Behind the façade 71
ABOUT KOHUPATIKI
Kohupatiki Marae is located on Kohupatiki Road, Clive. Its principal hapu are Ngati Hori and Ngati Toaharapaki of Ngati Kahungunu iwi. The wharenui is called Tanenuiarangi. The marae connects ancestrally to the waka Takitimu and the awa Ngaruroro.
The marae plays an active role in the community, welcoming many groups through to experience Maoritanga Kohupatiki-style. Recently the entire Clive School was welcomed on to the marae, that’s 250 people in total.
they don’t have choices, that things crumble. The older members of Friendly Neighbours focussed on the needs of the elderly and Pat looked after the needs of youth; an experience that inspired his imminent involvement with the YMCA and Downtown Y. In 1977, nominated by Pat, Robin and Lou were given a well-deserved Citizens Civic Award. Later, Friendly Neighbours was administered by school master Keith Sellers, and cutting, bagging and distributing firewood became another service that the group offered.
The McMurray’s had a bach at Tangoio and often invited the entire Magill clan of eight, out to come and share freshly caught crayfish; invitations that were accepted on the spot.
At this time, Pat had numerous fingers in plenty of community pies. Owning his own business and being a father to a fast growing family (six kids in eight years!), seemed to widen his sense of humanity and call to service. He joined the Lions Club in 1953. At the time, the club was looking for an army of foot soldiers and it was reasonably successful with its founding mandate, to fundraise for community needs.
Back then Pat’s fundraising style was akin to that of the legendary Robin Hood, the heroes, friendly outlaw who robbed from the rich and gave to the poor. And it still is. He zealously believes that it is society’s obligation to look after those less fortunate. When it comes to collection time, Pat has plenty of friends and supporters who know they’ll be “fleeced” but it’s in the nicest way possible and for very good reasons and they’re more than happy to oblige.
72 Behind the façade
KIA KAHA KORO – TANGATA TIRITI!
BY DENIS O’REILLY
Pat Magill. If you come from Hawke’s Bay, or are active in social justice circles, whether from Helsinki or Hokitika, the very mention of the name Pat Magill is likely to bring a little smile to the corners of the mouth, a flutter of the spirit, and the echo of the beat of a different drum.
Pat Magill is a living symbol of nga hoa pakeha, those of us of broadly European extraction, who see ourselves as teina, younger siblings to the original people of our homeland, Aotearoa, and who are committed to the fulfilment of the Treaty of Waitangi. We are tangata Tiriti, children of the Treaty. We are in support of our elder siblings, nga maori, tangata whenua. For me Pat Magill is one of my kaumatua, kaumatua pakeha. Indeed, he is a Rangatira.
In December of 1974 I was part of a travelling troupe. We were musicians and players. The group was called Storm and Friends and we formed in Wellington with a mix of pakeha and Maori. With a grant from the Arts Council we purchased an old railways’ bus and we headed off on a tour of Te Ika a Mauri, following the Blerta model.
Again, multidimensional as per Blerta, our offering was a rock band (playing covers) and a theatre troupe. Our first big show was in Palmerston North. We tried street theatre and were joined by an inspirational poet by the name of Garry McCormick. I’ll leave that story hanging.
We rushed on to Hawke’s Bay and through some obscure YMCA connection our itinerary led us to accommodation at Waiohiki marae. We were to meet a YMCA outreach worked named Wally Hunt. Wally Hunt had been hired by Mr Pat Magill to run a programme to engage Maori youth from Napier’s peri-urban maraes. Magic eventuated. Storm and Friends played at the Soundshell. I met this beautiful wahine, and, without knowing it at the time, my life became linked to Ahuriri and the influence of Pat Magill.
Pat Magill gives new meaning to the term ‘social butterfly’. He comes from a successful business family and had been cocooned in the casual racist social chrysalis of the red-necked burghers of Napier. He was the chairman of the Hawke’s Bay Rugby Union, a role then akin to the Grand Wizard of the Ku Klux Klan in another land. Whether Pat had a spiritual epiphany or simply decided to enact his pragmatic Christian beliefs I do not know but in the 1970s Pat Magill underwent a radical transformation, a metamorphosis, and emerged as a Treaty-conscious social-justice activist. He was reborn as a socialist butterfly.
I have organised his significant birthdays. His sixtieth, his seventieth, his eightieth, his ninetieth. All held at Waiohiki. During the intervening decades he has walked. He has walked his talk. The bigger the problem he would say, the longer the walk. With child-like innocence he enrolled others, particularly members of the Diplomatic Corps, who would be swept up in his enthusiasm for world peace, child-friendly communities, social justice and a caring “Pilot City”. In Napier he has turned ANZAC Day upside down, making it a celebration of the contribution of ordinary citizens to a living peace rather than the commemoration of the wasted human sacrifice and destruction of war.
Now, Pat says, he is considering retirement. But before that, can we meet at the pie man’s place at the Maraenui shops? Oh, and there’s a book on the Treaty by Consedine that we need to get to members of the new Government immediately after the election. And can I edit this little submission to the Napier City Council? Oh yes, and what about a little contribution to enable a walk for unity … ake ake ake, Kia kaha koro!
Above left: Denis and Pat, two party-loving Irishmen with a social justice bent, at Pat’s 90th; Right: Discussions in the dark, nga hoa pakeha and Irish to the bone;
Ready to rise up – Denis keeps up the spirits at the revolution planning session, koro keeps his knees warm and peacenik Ian Upton has a warm head and cool legs.
FIGHTING FOR PROMISED PARTNERSHIP
Former New Plymouth mayor and social justice campaigner Andrew Judd spoke at Kohupatiki marae recently as part of his three year-long campaign, fighting passionately for the instalment of promised electoral rights and partnership for Maori. He has been described as, “the pakeha who became the face of a movement to give Maori a voice at the council table”, by Deena Costa. And that voice will soon be heard, because as of February 2021, decisions by councils to establish Maori wards could no longer be overturned by public referenda.
Clockwise from top left: Pat’s gift to Ngati Kahungunu for his 93rd birthday was inviting Andrew Judd from New Plymouth to present his game changing TD talk, Lessons from a Recovering Racist; Kaumatua Bevan Taylor leads the tributes; Lunch is served and foot soldiers pay tribute; Napier City Councillor Sally Crown with Pat and Andrew Judd; Pat is formally honoured for his mahi in the community over many years.
FOR MĀORIDOM PAT IS A TRUE FRIEND
BY KAUMATUA BEVAN TAYLOR
“We have never heard anything like that on our marae before”.
BEVAN TAYLOR, KOHUPATIKI MARAE
When I first met Pat, straight away I said to him, Magill’s Carpets. It was a household name and it goes way back, right back to the early ‘50s, when Pat first started in the shop. My dad did business with him, buying carpet for our dining room, and some lino too.
After meeting Pat, I observed him for a while, for a number of years actually, and I came to look forward to talking with him. He’s a very pleasant person, easy to talk to, he doesn’t get into any areas of discussion that may cause ill feeling. He’s never disruptive and he lends an ear. Even if it sounds a bit rough he’ll lend an ear and he will make comment. He doesn’t make grand speeches but he’ll make a comment that comes at you, that has impact.
I would say Pat is an icon in the eyes of people within Napier, and afar. Whether they be maori, european, whoever; Pat is able to fit in with everyone.
Coming up to the mid to late ‘70s, I became active in Ahuriri myself. My wife and I would often meet up with Pat. We talked about things in general, and specifically, the Treaty of Waitangi, which he supports, and more importantly, Te Tiriti, the Maori version of the Treaty.
He said that we were hard done by and he was honest about that. He said he wishes he could turn it all around to show our successive governments what true partnership is. We hosted Pat’s 93rd birthday here in 2019 and welcomed his hikoi trail, the Walk for Unity. With the group we also welcomed the ex-mayor of New Plymouth, Andrew Judd. He gave his fascinating TED Talk, Lessons from a Recovering Racist. It was brilliant. We have never heard anything like that on our marae before. Andrew has amazing commitment. There are some people who are so committed and can see the right way forward, and don’t just give lip service.
I joined the Napier Pilot City and came to see Pat more regularly. Nothing to him is impossible, that word isn’t in his dictionary. He knows what to do, how to do it and with whom. He is so easy, flexible and honest about doing things and if he commits to something, he’ll do it.
He makes a difference in terms of Napier and with Napier Pilot City. Pat is a figure who would be missed if he wasn’t around; and you notice when he isn’t around when he’s away or can’t attend a meeting.
Sadly I was out of the area when Pat’s wife, Catherine died in an accident in Australia in 1994. Thank God that Toro Waaka and Tania Reti were here and that they extended the invitation for Catherine to lie at the Tai Whenua. I thought this was a great and fitting tribute, for Catherine and for Pat.
Back on my own marae at Tangoio, Pat often comes to our tangi and hui, to support the Kaupapa and be a part of bringing together the younger generation, who are our future. In the course of being chair of the Maori Consultative Committee, I met with Pat and the then mayor Barbara Arnott on many occasions at different functions. The conversations were always interesting! We welcomed the next mayor Bill Dalton on to the marae as well. He said he would do a lot of things.
I think Pat is one of these people like the prime minister, they’re noticeable wherever they go. For me, and I’m sure for a lot of other people, Pat will always be a wonderful person in the eyes of Maoridom. In terms of Maoridom he will always be a true friend, a true comrade. (Read the transcript, Lessons from a Recovering Racist on page 207.)
Behind the façade 75
CHAPTER NINE
NAPIER YMCA TRANSFORMED AND THE DOWNTOWN Y IS BORN
The first article in this chapter is an overview of the YMCA Napier during Pat’s time as president for nine years through the ‘70s, coinciding with several terms as national YMCA president.
The Napier YMCA was established in 1890 and focused pretty much on young Christian men, gymnastics and values. Following the 1931 earthquake the association didn’t operate for nearly 25 years. then in the mid ‘50s, Hal Lucas and Peter Tait (Napier’s mayor at the time), started discussions about reviving it. When Pat became involved about this time, the YMCA was primarily still a recreational organisation.
At the time the YMCA was considered an evangelical arm of the church and there wasn’t much of a bold plan at the Napier association until Colin Coates was employed as executive director in the ‘60s. At the national office at the time, George Briggs and Peter Darracott were inspired thinkers who became pivotal to encouraging more modern thinking at the national board level. They’d both studied overseas and had seen first-hand the latest effective community development programmes, and brought this knowledge back to New Zealand with them.
In 1968 Colin commissioned a survey called the Social and Recreation Survey and the idea for developing a youth centre was born in response to the feedback received. The board could see that needs were growing in the community for youth to have something to do, somewhere to go and somewhere to belong, especially Maori youth, as the tangata whenua were making the migration to the cities from the countryside, all around New Zealand.
To meet these needs several board members wanted to offer services and outreach to a wider base of kids, not just the ones who already had opportunities. These board members could see some families really struggling; whole communities struggling. So the transition began, supported by a cultural shift that was occurring at the national YMCA office too. The new youth centre, the “Downtown Y” was opened for business in late 1971. It proudly occupied the former Napier library premises on the first floor corner site on Hastings and Tennyson Streets, with a juke box supplying the sound. No alcohol was allowed.
A liberal principal at Sacred Heart College at the time brought her boarders along once a month, which was a highlight for the girls but when their parents found out about the visits, these were stopped immediately. Not long after the principal was moved on and the girls were apparently in tears.
Then Downtown Y was set up as an alter-
Legacy maker: “Pat was an enthusiastic and inspiring leader and a great role model for other YMCAs around the country. He also started alternative education in Napier with the Downtown Y School”. Leigh Gibson CEO YMCA Gisborne. (Most photos in this chapter are kindly supplied by YMCA Hawke’s Bay.)
Napier YMCA transformed and the Downtown Y is born 77
native education option, which the Norman Kirk government incorporated into the NZ education system. Here the kids were looked after and felt validated and they flocked to the “Y” School every day. Teaching methods were innovative – kids learnt maths by playing darts! They stopped truanting as they had been doing at their previous schools and as a result, less youths were sent to borstal, says Pat.
The first teacher employed for the Downtown Y was funded by the YMCA and the second teacher was appointed by the Department of Education. Soon after opening, the Downtown Y School was designated as one of the first alternative schools in the country and it is still operating today, as the Napier Community High School in Creagh Street, Te Awa.
In 1972 the Downtown Y was going well. Prime Minister Rob Muldoon visited and gave the venue a citation. But despite this, funding was always difficult. Funding for sport, art and culture seemed to flow but it was difficult to source financial backing for social issues. The former library premises were rent free but the building needed refurbishing so the venue moved to Hallenstein’s in Emerson Street where rent payments were required, putting a strain on already stretched resources.
It was the last straw for the Downtown Y when its new location was flooded. So in 1981, it was curtain call for this particular youth club, with new programmes started up at the YMCA Latham Street Gymnasium, which was set up in 1965.
One advantage of the move was Latham Street was closer to Maraenui. More local youth felt encouraged to come along and the place became popular with a broader base. There was a buzz going on, there was fun being had. One Sunday afternoon a big, burly police dog handler Rod Moore ran the length of the gym with youth trying to pull him down. There was huge excitement over that. One rangitahi broke into the gym on a Friday morning and hid in the rafters so he wouldn’t miss the excitement that was coming up on Sunday and his parents called the police to report a missing youth!
The Police Youth Club came along on Sundays as well to have some fun and the kids really appreciated this. These were exciting times. Ross Duncan (see his tribute on page 80), was involved at national YMCA office and some of the more traditional YMCAs were also thinking about casting the net wider than had been done in the past.
After a period of time though, some kids started pinching money and at times there was an uncomfortable atmosphere. A solution was arrived at, shifting the fee paying gymnastics classes to Onekawa. This was called the OMNI gym, while the Latham Street venue worked on offering more relevant programmes for the local kids. This meant a loss of income from the paying classes. Sadly several positions had to go and Colin Coates resigned.
The need for a venue to replace the Downtown Y was still really strong, as complex needs continued to grow. The idea for Michael’s Place, or The Pub With No Beer, was floated to go up alongside the Latham Street YMCA. The concept was driven by social workers and after a successful approach through Labour MP Gordon Christie, some funding was made available and a lot of fundraising carried out (hence the walks), to ensure there would be another place that youth could call their own.
Michael’s Place was completed in 1983 and it could have been successful long-term but finances were always a struggle. The budget didn’t cover staffing and user-pays didn’t cover overheads. People still come up to Pat today though and talk fondly about The Pub With No Beer so they obviously got something right. “Once again we struggled to secure a permanent venue that met the glaring needs in the community, even though the approaches we took and the early intervention, were showing positive results”.
Looking back Pat remembers two great supporters during his time with the YMCA – were Alan Dick and the late Sir Paul Reeves. “Both are remembered to this day for their tireless efforts in supporting our practical approaches to connecting with our youth”.
“We Build Strong Kids, Strong Families, Strong Communities”.
EARLY YMCA FACTS
YMCA was originally founded in England during the Industrial Revolution to offer children somewhere safe to shelter from the tough, menacing streets
YMCA was established in NZ in 1855.
The guiding purpose of the movement is to enable young people to thrive and take their place in the community.
The YMCA mission statement: “Building strong kids, strong families, strong communities, through investing in the next generation.”
78 Napier YMCA transformed and the Downtown Y is born
DOWNTOWN Y DAYS – TURNING LIVES AROUND
BY JASON MILL
Chris and Pat Mill are my grandparents. I started doing Maori warden work with them when I was about 15 years old. When I first went out with them though I was eight! Chris – my Pa – always spoke of Pat with a warm heart; there was never a bad word mentioned about Pat. Chris often spoke too about the work they did with Wally Hunt, using old shearing sheds out in the country and taking kids out there for the weekend, teaching them how to hunt, gather food and fish for eel. At Pa’s tangi there was a person who spoke about being a troubled youth who spent time with Chris, Pat and Wally, and how being with them at that time forever turned his life around.
A STRUGGLE WITHOUT SOLUTION?
In 1974 (May 18) Jill McCracken from the NZ Listener wrote a two part feature called Maori Youth: The Struggle for Identity. Introducing the first article headed Statues & Stigma she wrote, “Establishment of identity within the confines of another’s society isn’t always easy. The struggle of some Maori youths in this respect is fairly wide-spread in New Zealand. Too often, it is a struggle without solution, but in Hawke’s Bay this is beginning to change. In Napier especially a group of people have experimented in ways which could have significance for the rest of the country”. The following article Do Something, or Forget It examines what was happening and the initiatives’ place at the Downtown Y in more detail and the Moteo Youth Club; examines what’s happening and the initiative’s place in the future.
By offering places where youth could connect, learn and grow, these ‘experiments’ were mostly successful, but in time they faltered through lack of support and funding. Most people interviewed said without support there was little hope – heart breaking for all involved. These experiments showed how early intervention can stop the march to borstals and jail with the costs to the government and society much less in the long run. Despite it all, McCraken found Pat remained confident about the future. “… Pat Magill, who tends to see complete answers in schemes such as Hawke’s Bay Community College planned for next year [1975], in an urban marae, or maybe, in a professionally run YMCA”. McCracken is obviously unfamiliar with Pat’s strength of optimism and his determination to believe that anything is possible.
#PAT-SPEAK: AWARENESS WAS LACKING
The film Once Were Warriors was around at this time and its content was no surprise to our rangatahi. Most pakeha had no knowledge of Te Tiriti O Waitangi and how colonisation and urbanisation had affected Maori. There was much trauma and following migration to the cities, the public bar became the meeting place. Politicians mostly responded by getting tough on crime and building more prisons. There wasn’t a lot of awareness but schools were teaching, Ko Tahi Tataou, ‘We are one’.
Above: Chris and Pat Mill – Maori warden legends in Ahuriri.
Napier YMCA transformed and the Downtown Y is born 79
“Pat helped the Y become more racially tolerant, and he led the way well before the general public became aware of our social shortcomings.”
ROSS DUNCAN
A THRIVING YMCA EVOLVES
BY ROSS DUNCAN – YMCA COLLEAGUE
My first recollection of Pat Magill goes back to the rugby union days when he was chairman of the Hawke’s Bay Rugby Union.
This was around 1968, when Guy Baillie was chairman and Ray Whiteman as general secretary restarted the Hastings YMCA after its building’s demise following the 1931 earthquake. I joined the Y when I was 12 and years later Pat and I met again in the Methodist facilities opposite the Hastings Opera House. I won a scholarship to the Y Training facility at Homebush in Sydney in 1958 and then returned to become a youth worker for the Hastings Y.
About this time Pat was working to re-establish the Napier Y with Colin Coates as secretary, then Doug Fraser and Jim Thorne on the board too. Under Pat’s chairmanship for nine years, a thriving YMCA evolved. With programmes shifting from central Napier to Latham St, much innovative youth work was undertaken, especially the creation of the Downtown Y, or more widely known as “The Pub With No Beer”. This was an innovative programme for youth with a strong emphasis on young Maori people, and the Kel Tremain sponsored Taupo-to-Napier walk to help raise awareness in this area.
Around this time Pat became actively involved in National Y activities, becoming NZ chair for some time for which he was made a life member, both locally and nationally. It was at this time that Pat helped the Y become racially more tolerant and he led the way well before the general public became aware of our social shortcomings. People like Denis O’Reilly, Mike McCallum, George Briggs and Peter Darracott helped transition to a more racially acceptable organisation under Pat’s guidance and influence.
The Camp at Opoutama was operating at this time and Pat played a part in this venture and helped thousands of Hawke’s Bay youth in their growing up process. Since that time Pat has been a powerful driver of the multi-cultural message and always works to get a better outcome for the less privileged members of our society. His message was so pragmatically brought home to me when I sat beside him in the Wednesday court vigil and witnessed the ruined lives and despair in our antiquated judicial system.
Pat has been a power house in the Napier Pilot City Trust trying to lead Napier to be a kinder, fairer city and for our young ones, a Child Friendly City. Thanks Pat, for taking us along on a part of your great journey – thank you for the ride.
Ngaire and Ross Duncan at Pat’s 93rd at Kohupatiki Marae, in Clive; staunch, loyal supporters above and beyond.
OH THE PLACES HE WENT AND TOOK US ALONG TOO
YMCA walkabouts – for the Downtown Y, numerous Napier to Hastings walkathons, there were two around Lake Waikaremoana, two hikoi from Taupo to Napier, and numerous Te Araroa Offers Hope hikoi.
For Pat, the YMCA was about supporting people in change and he knew the environment was one of the best facilitators for change. “I look at all our walks as alternative Outward Bound schools. The most needy I have ever met always respond to the environment. You can see how the kids light up, you can see that they’re inspired, invigorated and restored by the roar of the sea. On our Downtown Y walks we took mobsters’ wives, their children, iwi and police on the long trail and after a while you see surprising relationships develop. We took Russian diplomats on the Taupo-Napier walk in the early 1970s. We should be doing more of that. As well as raising funds and awareness, they’re fun.”
PAT’S SPIRIT CENTRAL TO THE YMCA AT THE TIME
BY PAUL LE GROS, LAWYER, NELSON
President YMCA: 1996 – 2006, 2009-2011
I was appointed to the national board in 1978 or 1979. In those days we had a large board of at least 20 people and Pat was clearly a key player. He was one of those people who had an immense influence on me as a 30-something trustee. He had a clear social heart and he impressed me as someone who really lived the spirit and humanity of what the YMCA was trying to achieve.
It’s very hard to express in words, or bottle up the little essence of Pat. He had an amazing influence on the YMCA at the time; the community programmes where we worked with unemployed and started addressing a variety of biculturalism issues that were coming to the forefront.
Someone who also led us down that pathway was Wally Hunt. I remember playing a game of cards with them both in a Wellington hotel until all hours, probably with a bit of gin I would say, and that was a huge education in life. Sadly, you lose touch with people but those sort of memories linger on.
And of course Pat has continued his work, helping people in need, and with the various walks he has arranged for peace. I know this must have come at quite a financial cost to him as well.
Thinking about the YMCA spirit that flows through people like Pat, leads you to hope that there are still some people around who want to follow those same philosophies of caring for those in need, and through inclusion, help build stronger communities.
In training for the YMCA Taupo to Napier fundraising walk in 1971, “Bodi” Reti, Te Otane Reti, Pat, Henei Reti and Pat Morton, stepping it out along Westshore Beach; editor (the youngest walker) speaks to Ena Sharples of Coronation Street fame, at the Municipal Theatre before the 100-strong team of walkers leaves for the five-day YMCA Taupo-Napier fundraising walk. Selwyn Toogood officiates and soon after Kel Tremain spoke with Albert Tatlock. Heady days!
Napier YMCA transformed and the Downtown Y is born 81
DRIVEN TO ANSWER NEEDS
BY JAMES BARNES
I first met Pat Magill in 1971 when I moved from Gisborne to Napier to start work at the Engine Rebuilders Parts Department, which was right next to Magill Carpets on Taradale Road. So, I have had the privilege of knowing Pat for almost 50 years and have always seen him as a mentor. (Jes Magill recently reminded me that the family still refer to me as Pat’s fourth son!)
I came to Napier with experience in setting up a youth club that operated out of the Gisborne YMCA. It was because of this connection that I was introduced to Pat by Ray Duncan, whose family owned Engine Rebuilders. And as they say, “the rest is history”. So here is the history …
Pat and I “clicked” straight away. Pat was president of the Napier YMCA and had produced a city-wide survey on youth services which was conducted by CEO Colin Coates. While Coates produced an excellent study, Pat was not confident he could implement its main finding which was that there was a need for a place where under privileged youth could meet in safety. With my experience setting up a youth club, Pat asked me if I would like to head up a team to open up a drop-in centre in the old city library, upstairs on the corner of Hastings and Tennyson Street, and so the Downtown Y was born that year.
It was at the Downtown Y that I met some amazing people. I can’t remember all their names but legends like Chris and Pat Mill, Wally Hunt, Wendy Lee, Baeden Batt and Doug Fraser, stand out. We were all volunteers and along with a host of other volunteers who are all worthy of praise, we got on with each other to establish a safe place for the youth of Napier to congregate. The result was that in 1978 The Downtown Y received a Governor General’s Citation and Pat received an OBE in that years New Year’s Honours. Wally, Chris and I used to joke that OBE was short for ‘other buggers efforts’. I hasten to add that was said in complete jest because we know how long Pat had campaigned for the establishment of the Downtown Y and we were just lucky to be in the right place at the right time to be part of it.
During the years that the DTY was situated in the old library building, my association with Pat caused me a little bit of grief with my employer, the Department of Social Welfare. My commitment to Pat’s cause sometimes irritated senior management and earned me the reputation of being a maverick. I went to a meeting in Wellington once and my reputation had preceded me. Pat used to call me a ‘freak’ in a good way. No matter how much the Department of Social Welfare tried to intimidate me to follow the ‘rules’ I didn’t lose focus assisting Pat with the Downtown Y.
Since those early days, I have kept in touch with Pat and his family. It has been a privilege to support him with regular donations in his commitment to establishing Napier as a Pilot City for youth and Restorative Justice. Pat came to my 70th birthday celebration a few years ago in Gisborne which was put on by the YMCA to also celebrate my 50-year involvement with the association.
And in a small way I have emulated my mentor’s track record with the Y. We have both been presidents of a YMCA (me in Wellington), both have been on the national board and both are life members. I am proud of my association with Pat because his lifelong commitment to the causes he believes in, has had a major impact on my life. His unrelenting drive in the face of many disappointments is just so inspirational.
Kia kaha Pat, Arohanui.
Gerry Gibbs, James Barnes and Pat Magill, at James’ 70th birthday celebration at the YMCA Gisborne.
THE POWER OF CONNECTION
BY WENDY LEE
“He was unlike any other businessman that I had met. He challenged other leaders in the community to help find the resources and if they couldn’t he often contributed his own. I know others of his generation found this challenging and some were at times disparaging. But this did not deter Pat.”
Following my teacher training in Auckland I returned to Napier at the beginning of the 70s, to teach at the Onekawa Kindergarten, my first teaching position. I came as a very enthusiastic and idealistic young person with a strong sense of social justice developed through involvement with the Kindergarten Teachers Association and union politics.
I soon met Pat Magill, a Napier businessman and was struck by his deep sense of social justice. He was deeply committed to Maori youth and the community of Napier and he encouraged and supported me to become engaged in the activities of the Downtown Y. This was to have an enormous impact on my values and my life as these were very formative years for me as a young person learning about life and living in Napier.
Pat stood out because of his true commitment to local community, his deep concern and interest in taking action and his strong advocacy for change over issues of violence and the need to reform the criminal justice system. Each summer, as part of the YMCAs wider programme, we would take young people from social welfare homes on a five-day trek around Lake Waikaremoana. This experience was transformative for us all. While walking and camping in the native forest, we experienced the feeling of calm and wonder that the natural world brings. The power of hikoi, which has been one of Pat’s central processes, was also evident. He always understood the power of connection, and the importance of bringing people together. The Waikaremoana treks allowed us to talk deeply, to learn more about each other’s lives, and through this, to know ourselves better. We learned to better respect ourselves and the natural world of which we are an integral part.
He kura tangata e kore
e rokohanga, he
kura whenua ka
rokohanga.
This whakatauki talks about the treasured passions of men that are intangible and the treasures of the land that are tangible. In a world where people and their possessions have no permanence, the land remains as the one possession, which never changes, nor is ever destroyed. Pat put this whakatauki into action. Young people were encouraged to learn about the natural world around them and how this weaves together with Maori belief about the interconnectedness of people and the earth we all came from. All things are united through mauri (life force) and the concept of hauora (total well-
Above: Wendy and friends travel north to Wairoa one weekend; to ancestral land for some. Access to valued local places is often fundamental to building cultural identity.
Napier YMCA transformed and the Downtown Y is born 83
“Pat had taught me that every small move you make has the power to influence”.
being and balance with nature) is paramount. Whanaungatanga, where all people embrace each other through the wider family relationships, extends to the physical world such that people respectfully express kaitiakitanga (guardianship) towards all living and physical things.
For many young people, particularly young people in indigenous communities, access to valued local places is often fundamental to building cultural identity (Hayward, 2012). Hayward stated that we all need local places with which we identify before we can build empathy with the places of others. A number of other studies have confirmed that memories of a special place in nature experienced in their childhood give young people a pool of calm on which they can draw in difficult times. Pat knew this in his bones and he found ways to strengthen such links.
I remember one weekend, when a group of us went north to Wairoa because it was the ancestral land for some of the group. Pat lived these ideas and they formed a central pillar to guide his actions whilst leading the Napier YMCA. With such a visionary leader as Pat, a man who took action and who was clearly an activist, funding was never an issue. If we believed it was important Pat said, he would find the resources and he did. He was unlike any other businessman that I had met. He challenged other leaders in the community to help find the resources and if they couldn’t he often contributed his own. I know others of his generation found this challenging and some were at times disparaging. But this did not deter Pat.
These early experiences with the Napier YMCA and Pat shaped my values and how I saw the world. Later, I endeavoured to put them into action myself. After a period as a lecturer in Early Childhood Education at the North Shore Teachers’ College in Auckland, I married and moved to Rotorua where we lived in a relatively new community colloquially known as ‘Nappy Valley’. I was appointed head teacher at the local kindergarten and the kindergarten and school were the main/only community facilities in the newly built housing development. We were a community mainly of young families, with about 50% being Maori and a high proportion of state housing. There were few facilities. No public transport, no footpaths, and many mothers and children were isolated while their husbands went to work in the only car. As I began to get to know my community and to think about what we could do to change and improve our place, a group of us formed a community association and began to walk door to door to find out what the community needed.
I knew that we needed to think about the ideas that Pat had driven forward and to struggle and keep going no matter what. Pat had taught me that every small move you make has the power to influence. If you hear someone saying something you do not agree with … do something, write a letter, a text, an email. Pat has continued to do this for the last 80 plus years. So we challenged the policies and priorities of the Rotorua District Council by political action to firstly provide the community with footpaths so mothers could walk to the kindergarten, school or supermarket, with their prams of push-chairs.
This initial action established the Aorangi Community
Alvin Toffler: “You’ve got to think about the big things while you’re doing the small things, so that all the small things go in the right direction.”
Above: Political action inspired by Pat’s modus operandi eventually helps establish the Aorangi Community Association in Rotorua.
84 Napier YMCA transformed and the Downtown Y is born
Association. But Pat had taught me about the need to think big as well as small. As Alvin Toffler said, “You’ve got to think about the big things while you’re doing the small things,, so that all the small things go in the right direction”. The community wanted a place to meet and to act as a hub for community action and the provision of community services. In essence, it wanted a ‘community house’.
Following Pat’s lead, we started an action campaign and wrote to the local council, convincing it to sell us a surplus house for $10. The housing developers were persuaded to provide a site for this, and a local businessman helped move the house onto the site. The community then used its local resources and volunteer labour to turn the house into a community facility and opened “Aorangi”.
Pat supported this Community Association in Rotorua, and found the resources to completely carpet the community house. Over the next decade, Aorangi became a hub for a wide range of services and activities within the community, including a public health nurse, Maori language tuition, playgroups, adult education programmes, youth employment programmes, women’s camps, holiday and after-school programmes. It brought the community together and strengthened connections among its people giving them a sense of belief in their own ability to effect change. It exemplified the approach and values that Pat had developed and utilised so well in Napier and, in this sense, was a testament to his values and community leadership.
Several years later, while in Scotland, I worked for the Scottish Pre-School Association and found that many women and families in the town where we lived were also isolated and limited in what they could do. Through organising women’s camps (akin to Waikaremoana treks), we built stronger relationships, developed greater confidence and found new respect for the power of group action. Pat’s influence was here too.
He has had an enduring influence on me and I have no doubt that he has influenced hundreds and thousands of lives in this way. He also made us aware that we should “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed it is the only thing that ever has”. This is a quote by Margaret Mead. For me, Pat represents all that is good in the world. To his very bones he has incredible integrity and a powerful desire to fight for social justice. This drive and passion has never been lost and I know will stay with him forever. Pat Magill has emblazoned memories upon my heart that will never be erased and that will continue to guide my future.
SHINING A LIGHT ON SOCIETAL NEEDS
BY ROSS TANNER
I had moved to Wellington from Christchurch to take up a new job in late 1971. The YMCA movement in New Zealand was then a federation of local YMCAs, who each sent delegates to a biennial conference. This conference then discussed overall strategy for the movement and made non-binding decisions about direction and management, including levies to support the work of a national office.
The biennial conferences elected a President for the YMCA movement and ratified the appointment of a Wellington-based national executive committee, which was responsible for the overall management of the national structure between biennial meetings. In mid-1972 I was appointed to the Executive Committee of the National YMCA, and became its chairman about 1975.
The first biennial conference of the YMCAs that I attended was held at a conference centre in Otaki over a mid-winter weekend in 1973. That is where I first met Pat Magill, who was the President of the Napier YMCA at the 1975 conference.
The YMCA movement had traditionally been an organization that ran gymnastics and sport – related recreation classes, school holiday camps, basketball, and summer camps. But there was an increasing realization that something different was needed to meet the increasingly complex problems facing young people. Such as crime, substance abuse, family violence and
YMCA Hawke’s Bay: Kids aim high.
Napier YMCA transformed and the Downtown Y is born
homelessness. There was also a recognition that many of the young people in greatest need were Maori.
Pat was a leader in bringing these new societal needs and challenges to the attention of the national movement. He spoke emotionally and forcefully at the 1973 conference, supported by Wendy Lee. Others of us heard the challenge and responded with interest. Together we envisaged a new sort of YMCA engagement with communities, while maintaining the baseline of existing programmes. But others at the meeting were not convinced, and expressed concern at the possibility of the revenue base of their YMCA being eroded substantially if attention was allowed to drift too far away from the traditional offerings. The Auckland YMCA was a leader of that perspective.
Nevertheless, the die was cast. The diploma training programme took root and developed. YMCAs began to employ its graduates on staff to initiate and develop new types of community activity. The national YMCA office itself started to develop innovative ideas such as the RYDUM programme using mini motorbikes to attract youth into structured activity. Detached youth workers became part of the scene in several YMCAs.
I remained as the chair of the National Executive Committee until mid-1981, when I left to study in the USA, so I had a lot to do with Pat over those formative years. He came to Wellington often to join in at executive meetings, and also to talk with Peter Darracott and others on the national staff. Pat had been part of the establishment of the Downtown Y, a drop-in centre for Napier youth and also its outreach programmes. He developed strong linkages with local Maori, but also retained his involvement with the RSA and often brought the two together. As National President he was strongly supportive of the new initiatives that Peter Darracott and others were implementing and he travelled the country to visit other YMCAs to promote them to boards and staff for take-up. He ran into resistance in several places, not just Auckland, and ‘gave as good as he got’ – strongly talking about the societal problems that needed addressing and promoting innovation and change, while listening carefully to others’ points of view. Pat’s contribution to the YMCA movement in New Zealand has truly been enormous over the years that I was involved with him. He has been an inspiration to the many people he met in ‘the Y’, myself included, and I remain in awe of his dedication and contribution over the years. Of course his work has extended way beyond the YMCA itself, such as his contribution to justice reform in New Zealand and the Napier Pilot City Trust. My impression however is that it was the Y that gave Pat the base for development of his ideas and the initial opportunity to put them into practice.
AN UNFORGETTABLE EXPERIENCE
BY ROB MAGILL
In January 1972 the Napier YMCA organised a second walk around Lake Waikaremoana, and because Pat was involved with the YMCA, I was lucky to be one of the 50 walkers who enjoyed the mostly leisurely three to four day circuit. Supplies and packs were transported by boats, and we even had the Napier MP Gordon Christie as one of the cooks. We were a cross-section of people of all ages, with time to get to know one another as we walked the great outdoors. When we returned to our respective homes afterwards, most of us would have agreed that we’d experienced something very special.
Top: YMCA Hawke’s Bay, resting up before the next big challenge; Below: A breath-taking example of pristine native forest, and not too far from Napier, is Lake Waikaremoana, in Te Urewera National Park. Pat organised two walks around the lake and many people still talk about these experiences. They certainly must have been magical. Photo by Anne Johnston.
YMCA GISBORNE – A MODEL FOR NZ
BY CEO LEIGH GIBSON
Pat reckons the YMCA Gisborne is a model of excellence as to what YMCAs around the country could be and it was recognised with a national award recently. “Like any group that takes government funding though, there’s the challenge of paying the piper. Six YMCAs around the country are funded by TEC [Tertiary Education Commission]. The challenge is to remain honest to your own vision while accepting funding to keep going. It’s always a juggle”, he says, “Gisborne handles it well.”
YMCA GISBORNE CEO SHARES WHAT’S WORKING WELL
YMCA Gisborne has seen strong governance under your watch. What is your background and what skills and strengths have you brought to the role that have made a real difference?
My background with the YMCA started as an instructor and I believed strongly in the purpose of the YMCA to support community. While employed as a legal executive I took on the role of governance at the Gisborne YMCA for 15 years, eight years of which I was president. We struggled to find the leadership to grow and while I was on leave due to health issues, the board moved to gift the assets of the Gisborne Y to the local council in payment of our debt of 50,000.
What is unique with Gisborne is that our constitution has governing members, they are the members that are eligible to be board members, but also keep the board and their decision in alignment with the best interests of the Gisborne YMCA. The governing members dismissed our board and asked Maurie Rendle, ex Auckland YMCA CEO to assist us. Maurie challenged the newly elected board and myself, to put me into the CEO position to grow the Y. At that time we employed 1.5 EFTs, generated $100k turnover and operated no services. My first task was to find the funding to pay my wage and to see programmes and services implemented in the YMCA. The start of our growth was being fortunate to be part of the Open Polytechnic Lifeworks Education Programme. At the end of that programme we were operating coaches in-home for Gisborne, Hawke’s Bay, Bay of Plenty and Waikato. We also operated Ministry of Social Development Community Max Programmes assisting unemployed young people into work experience, and operated teams of six young people and a supervisor into a free schools sport coaching service. At one stage we had five teams operating into local schools every week.
Gisborne YMCA is known for achieving clarity around programme creation and implementation. What steps do you take to make sure you select the right programmes and keep them on track?
We pride ourselves on listening to our community around where there are gaps that impact significantly on families, children and young people. For example, we started supervised contact when Barnardos nationally dropped the contract with Ministry of Justice. The impact of family members not being able to have visits with children and young people due to no providers being able to deliver, was significant. Our board has people that are working in community groups that assist us to identify opportunities.
YMCA Gisborne introduced Lunches in Schools just before Covid-19 broke out and you’re expanding this service. What was involved and what do you see as the future for this?
At the heart of the Gisborne YMCA is the belief that children that are well fed, succeed in life. We commenced providing all meals into our childcare centres 12 years ago and included feeding children into our after school and holiday programmes as well as our alternative education students. As Gisborne is the highest deprived region in NZ it was an easy decision to ensure children are fed nutritional meals, as this could be their only healthy meal of the day. When the school lunch service was trialled in Gisborne at the beginning of 2020, we saw the synergy of feeding healthy meals to students in schools. The project involved employment of experienced qualified chiefs, kitchen hands and school lunch assistants, the purchase of vehicles for the delivery of the lunches, the development of two additional commercial kitchens with chillers, bratt pans and capability to mass produce healthy meals. The feedback has been significant from the schools; they could see the change in behaviour of the children with the first week, and that the children were more settled in the afternoons and able to be engaged in productive learning outcomes.
Napier YMCA transformed and the Downtown Y is born 87
A good number of community development associations around Aotearoa struggle to achieve financial stability. What steps have you taken and what forward planning is involved in keeping the balance sheet solvent?
We review our financials at senior management meetings, board meetings and financial quarterly reviews. We set up monitoring systems to review that costings are within budgeted expenditure. We continually challenge ourselves to find the means to retain and care for our employees, as well as maintaining financial sustainability. In 2021 the Gisborne YMCA has adopted the living wage minimum, which has increased all hourly rates to $22.10 minimum, recognising that the living wage is necessary for our employee’s quality of life. We have also implemented 10 days sick leave entitlements to all staff. This has increased our wage costs by $500k but we still have a budgeted surplus for the year. We want to be recognised for not only being a great employer but also that we deliver quality services to our community with a particular focus on children and young people.
YMCA Gisborne is one of the six YMCAs around the country that runs funded courses for Tertiary Education Commission (TEC). How do you deal with balancing the specific requirements of running TE courses along with what YMCA Gisborne sees as the needs on the ground?
We operate TEC funded literacy and numeracy programmes to support young people who have failed at school so they can eventually be employed. It fits in with our holistic approach to supporting young people. We also run Alternative Education classes for the same purpose, to engage with young people who are not able to be integrated into a normal school environment.
With more complex social issues today and fresh challenges that test and challenge traditional models of community development, how do you keep Gisborne YMCA relevant?
By always adapting to meeting the changing needs of our community; being proactive at looking at new initiatives and building strong working relationships especially with government departments. We have been offering Breakaway government funded free holiday programmes for over 12 years now and increased our youth engagement from the contractual five weeks, 100 young people; to running services 50 weeks of the year to keep young people engaged and off the streets.
JAMES K BAXTER COMES TO TOWN
Ralph Alexander from the Ahuriri Rotary invited James K Baxter to come and talk at a meeting in the mid-70s, which James K duly did, barefoot and all. Whanganui River, James K and Jerusalem, where the poet lived for many years, has a lot of significance for Pat. Recently a group on a Te Araroa Offers Hope hikoi spent some time on the river and visited Jerusalem. Catherine and Pat often explored the river too. They stayed at Jerusalem many times and Catherine, a practicing Catholic, was fascinated with Mother Aubert’s Daughters of Our Lady of Compassion Home and school, established in 1885 for orphans and underprivileged children.
NEW ZEALAND
BY JAMES K. BAXTER
(for Monte Holcroft)
These unshaped islands, on the sawyer’s bench,
Wait for the chisel of the mind,
Green canyons to the south, immense and passive,
Penetrated rarely, seeded only
By the deer-culler’s shot, or else in the north
Tribes of the shark and the octopus,
Mangroves, black hair on a boxer’s hand.
The founding fathers with their guns and bibles,
Botanist, whaler, added bones and names
To the land, to us a bridle
As if the id were a horse: the swampy towns
Like dreamers that struggle to wake,
Longing for the poets’ truth
And the lover’s pride. Something new and old
Explores its own pain, hearing
The rain’s choir on curtains of grey moss
Or fingers of the Tasman pressing
On breasts of hardening sand, as actors
Find their own solitude in mirrors,
As one who has buried his dead,
Able at last to give with an open hand.
88
THE COMMUNIST SPEAKS
Do not imagine I could not have lived
For wine, love or poetry,
Like the rich in their high houses
Walking on terraces above the seas.
But my heart was caught in a net
Woven out of strands of iron
By the bleak one, the thin one, the basket ribbed Coolie
and rickshaw boy
Who has not learnt the songs that ladies like,
Whose drink is rusty water,
Whose cheek must rest on a dirty stone,
In whose hands lie the cities of the future.
HIGH COUNTRY WEATHER
Alone we are born
And die alone
Yet see the red-gold cirrus
over snow-mountain shine.
Upon the upland road
Ride easy, stranger
Surrender to the sky
Your heart of anger.
Photos on right by Anne Johnston: Above, a tribute to Mother Aubert in Jerusalem; Jerusalem Village from the Whanganui River; Decorative panels at St Joseph’s church in Jerusalem; The mighty Whanganui River curls past the village. Above left: The River Flows by Rahabi Khan.
CHAPTER TEN
HAWKE’S BAY COMMUNITY COLLEGE
IT WORKED! SO WHAT HAPPENED?
A TIME OF ENLIGHTENMENT – HB COMMUNITY COLLEGE 1975 – 1985
John Wise, the former head of Community Education at the Hawke’s Bay Community College from 1976 until 1990, says the decade between 1975 and 1985 was an exciting period of ‘learning and prototyping”. At the time, he said the college was the first of five such pilot tertiary institutions and the college’s clear mandate was to give life to the fundamental belief that learning is a life-long basic human right for all.
“It was an era of proud community ownership and courageous educational innovation with unparalleled community participation. Individuals, organisations and communities across Hawke’s Bay, were discovering (or rediscovering) both the potential and the pleasure that comes from learning”.
Below, John recalls the story of the college during this significant time.
A UNIQUE DRIVING FORCE
BY DR JOHN HARRE – FIRST HBCC DIRECTOR OF THE HBCC
From the very beginning of the establishment of Hawke’s Bay Community College I worked closely with Pat Magill, recognising that he was a unique driving force in the development and implementation of programmes to support disadvantaged youth – particularly Maori.
He was the inspiration for much of the innovative work undertaken by the college in supporting the needs of youth in Hawke’s Bay. The Downtown Y, The Pub With No Beer and the creation of Napier as a Pilot City were all initiatives of Pat’s which transformed Napier into a place which cared about its youth and their problems. Pat committed his all to the well-being of Napier’s youth and he set us all an example of unparalleled community service. Thank you Pat.
Image above: Hawke’s Bay Community College, Otatara, outskirts of Taradale, HB 1976 – fresh pastures for building a new way in community education. Image courtesy Whites Aviation Ltd; Opposite: Artwork courtesy Tamatea High School Art Department.
Hawke’s Bay Community College – it worked! So what happened?
AN EDUCATIONAL ADVENTURE – THE COLLEGE OPENS
When the Hawke’s Bay Community College opened in February 1975 it was a product of its times. The preceding decade was one of radical social and educational change driven by a number of influential forces:
movement education swept the world
UNESCO focused globally on promoting education methods that would meet the needs of all adults
and at home, the Kirk/Rowling Labour Government (1972-1975) had committed itself in its election manifesto to expand community-based learning.
The Labour Government fulfilled this commitment by implementing a package of innovative social and educational policies which aligned closely with UNESCO’s call to action. Among them, a new kind of tertiary institution – the community college; an institution “designed to meet continuing education needs in provincial centres particularly, that would incorporate adult and community education on an equal footing with vocational education, and set out to achieve increased representation from groups traditionally under-represented in post-school education.”
At the opening, Dr John Harre, the college’s first director, spoke of his vision: He saw the college as “an opportunity to put into practice his beliefs about community development and the total involvement of the adult population in the educational process.” He saw the college as “an alternative type of tertiary institution that would ignore the traditional boundaries … to be a place for people irrespective of their social, ethnic or educational background”. Later, in an interview with the Daily Telegraph he is quoted as saying, “We should have people who are still at school, in mid-career and retired, to break down the idea that education is only study in a classroom rewarded with a certificate. I want to push out into the community, not suck everyone up into a set of buildings. Many of the drop-outs from education left because they could not get on within a formal structure. The last thing I want to do is impose yet another formal structure on them”.
FROM VISION TO REALITY
Wow! It’s easy to understand why Pat was attracted to the idea of such an institution. His years of personal commitment to the ‘forgotten people’ had found a powerful ally, and, quite properly, he was quick to see and pursue the possibility of on-the-ground support for his community development work.
Pat was appointed to the college’s first (interim) Council, 1975-77 and I have no doubt that, over and beyond this period, his pragmatic “foot-soldier” approach and his extensive community networks inspired the college council to support the implementation of (then) innovative community development processes.
No pressure! In 1976 there were just four full-time community education staff. Unhelpfully, the Department of Education was insisting (quite inappropriately), on a minimum number of registered, fee-paying students in each class so that we could generate enough “student hours” to get our funding. And lots of people were upset because they wanted a university – and it wasn’t even a polytechnic! “And why
Like minds but different, Pat and John Harre on social justice safari together; John Wise captions his cartoon: “The early days were difficult at times.”
92
was there no water-colour class this term?” “And were we going to steal the high schools’ night classes?” The task felt overwhelming and we didn’t know where or how to begin!
Firstly, the community education department would resist the temptation to second-guess community learning wants and needs. We would need to learn appropriate ways and means of engaging with our diverse communities, for example with tangata whenua, with communities of interest, communities of need, or location, age, faith, ethnicity; communities of the ‘traditionally under-represented in post-school education’.
We needed to take a breath, get off the college campus and start listening, start paying attention. Many communities appreciated and embraced these opportunities to meet and talk. As did the college.
The process itself delivered many lessons, for example, the importance of talking ‘with’, ‘not to’; the power of community conversations, stimulating ideas and identifying community resources to create new community solutions. The power of this insight was a share game-changer, showing us that working together, we can create the road to improved personal and community lives. Each of us, individually and collectively, holds the key to our own learning… to our own future. Together as a
Napier Daily Telegraph – 27 November 1977
Napier as the “social experimental centre of New Zealand” where problem areas in human relationships can be studied was the theme of a panel; discussion recently among experts at the Hawke’s Bay Community College. One panellist, Dr John Robson, who is a former Secretary for Justice, thought …
Napier – the one place to offer hope
The panellists invited have made distinctive contributions in their fields:
Dr John Robson is now head of the criminology department of Victoria University.
Dr Douglas Bray, professor of educational at Massey University, has done sociological field studies in the Napier area.
Dr John Harre is director of the Hawke’s Bay Community College and a former professor of anthropology.
Dr Vivian Cooper is a Napier jaw and face surgeon who has observed closely the disadvantaged people in the Napier area.
Mr W. Te Moana, a Maori educational advisor, stood in at short notice for the Race Relations conciliator, Mr H. Dansey. Question master was the editor of The Daily Telegraph.
The brief put to the panel was: That Napier could become the social experimental centre of New Zealand where race relations will naturally play an important part.
An audience of about 100 listened to the panel, during a discussion of an hour and a half. A precis of what they heard is recorded herewith.
The writings of Chinese philosopher, Lao Tzu seemed apt for the educational creators of the Hawke’s Bay Community College as they established a place for community learning. Drawing by John Wise.
“You have arrived at a remarkable answer to local needs in community education.”
RUSSELL MARSHALL, MINISTER OF EDUCATION, 1984-1987
community we have a richness of experience, knowledge and skills to share.
Within the community education department and gradually throughout the college, the traditional institutional way of doing things evolved into more inclusive, more collaborative processes with outcomes we previously could only have dreamt about. I recall having discussions about these developments with Pat. “I’ve been telling you that!” he said with that wry smile. He had.
In fact, very early in the piece, Pat had proposed that the college appoint community-based ‘conversationalists’ to nurture closer college-community relationships with the Maraenui community. This fitted our re-set well and after discussions with the appropriate agencies; community-based appointments were made in youth development, parenting skills and youth unemployment. These appointments greatly enhanced the college-community relationship, leading to the establishment of the Maraenui Learning Centre.
Growth in demand for all manner of person and community learning programmes was such that within three years the community education department had expanded from its initial 4 full-time, 8 part-time tutors to 27 full-time tutors and close to seventy experienced part-time tutors on the register. In Term 1 alone, there were 120 learning events (courses, workshops, community planning meetings, conferences and seminars, etc), with total “enrolments’ exceeding 6,000. And, what’s more, community education was paying its way.
The college’s increasing capacity to engage with its many communities confirmed the level of mutual trust that was developing between us. Over the first decade, the range of off-campus activities grew by the week. Many were one-off events which inspired
Above: A cynical response from John Wise to the notion that LEARNING FOR LIFE would, on its own, make continuing education available to all.
94 Hawke’s Bay Community College – it worked! So what happened?
further learning and in some cases, new organisations. For example, the Napier Pilot City Trust grew from such an event. (See article on page 93.)
In the following years to 1985, additional community learning centres were opened in Waipukurau, Hastings and Dannevirke (REAP – Rural Education Activities Programme). The college had also received requests for off-site centres from maraes in Tangoio, Petane and Te Haroto.
There would rarely be a weekend when facilities were empty. At the opening of the Hetley building in 1979, John Harre commented on the “dramatic growth” in community education. He said “The diversity of our community is reflected in the diversity of those who use the college. At one time earlier this year, Black Power members were screen printing arm bands and posters for their convention while members of the Taradale Pakeke Lions printed their presentation banners and engineers and accountants were receiving their training nearby. The community college is itself a community – a community as diverse as that which surrounds it.”
At the 1985 10th anniversary celebrations, Russell Marshall, the Minister of Education, said “You have arrived at a remarkable answer to local needs in community education.”
John Harre resigned in September 1985. The winds of change were getting pretty gusty. It was time for a change too and John took a senior role at AIT (now AUT), co-ordinating special programmes. His decade of inspirational leadership of the college had enabled a demonstrable transformational leap forward in continuing and community education practice.
But the already chilly southerly winds of political change were to gather speed and force. Over the next five years the college was to experience another transformation. This time a transformation driven by economic policies that would change the character, vision and purpose of the college, and, in the process, substantially dismantle affordable and accessible community learning programmes.
So, yet again, and at a time when economic and social issues were causing high levels of personal and community anxiety, the majority of the community were denied their right to learn and grow.
However, looking on the bright side, there are some positives to be thankful for. One of them is Pat – a force for change. I deeply appreciate his wisdom, his unwavering support and his loyalty through both the good and the difficult times. His tireless commitment to improving the lives of so many in Hawke’s Bay is legendary.
TIMELINE – HB COMMUNITY COLLEGE 1975-1985
1972 – 1975: very supportive Labour Government and Department of Education
1975 – October: a National Muldoon Government is elected
1976 – 1980: rapid expansion of community education programmes, on and off campus. GDP falling, unemployment rising, HB hit particularly hard with closing of Whakatu freezing works. [1986]
1980 – 1982: Government focuses on employment creation and regional think-big projects. It decrees that community education is “less productive than vocational education” and imposes “user-pays” rules for all community education learning activities. Community education fees are increased substantially. Unemployment peaks at 14% and the majority affected are Maori and Pacifica. Demand for community education classes and other community-based activities continues to increase, with a strong emphasis on art/craft job creation, personal development, human relationships, stress management, women’s studies, counselling, volunteer community work training, adult literacy and numeracy, parenting, community solutions, work trusts, etc.
1983: Government changes funding formula for polytechnics and community colleges. Big impact on community education.
1985: Dr Harre resigns his position as director of HBCC and takes up a role at ATI. Labour Party wins election, David Lange becomes PM.
1987: College renamed Hawke’s Bay Polytechnic. Tertiary education sector to target vocational/professional training. Nationally there is a rapid, continuous expansion of full-time courses and a rapid decline in community education programmes.
Hawke’s Bay Community College – it worked! So what happened?
Top: Pilot City Trust think tank back in the days, Nev Barron, Pat and John Harre; Middle: Pat makes a presentation at the former HB Community College, now EIT; Bottom: Susan and Franz Muller arrived in Ahuriri from Germany in 1976 and became firm friends with Pat soon after. In 2000 Franz enrolled at Te Whare Takiura o Kahununu [Kahungunu]/EIT in Te Manga Maori to study for a BA in Maori, and studied under kaumatua, the Reverend Matiu Eru and other Kaiako. The korero with Pat, Franz and Susa was always around the importance of honouring the Treaty of Waitangi and strengthening community networks, instead of depending on prisons to solve its problems.
BEGINNING OF THE END
BY JES MAGILL
The college had become a “testament to inspired thinking and community participation”, said John Harre. “It was working”, cried Pat, and they weren’t the only ones lamenting what looked like the ushering in, of a cold, hard new world, as it dismantled a model that inspired many new communities within the one, all focused on learning.
It definitely was the end of an era when the college was renamed the Hawke’s Bay Polytechnic. There was a lot of protest from some in the community, at the ‘about face’; the new broom sweeping away so much of what had been gained by so many in the community. Dozens of Black Power members formed a hikoi from Waiohiki to the campus, to register their displeasure. They performed a haka there which from every account was powerfully poignant.
Maryan Moss, in her book on the HBCC titled Coming of Age, refers to the winds of change that started to blow through during the early 80s, affecting the community education landscape.
“Since the opening of the Community College in 1975, great changes have occurred in education. An institution which began by providing learning at minimal cost, may have become “market driven” – and there are many who question this economy – but the essential vision with which the community college was conceived has not been lost. The polytechnic remains a place where those who seek increased learning and understanding are stimulated to discover them”.
Make of that what you will, but the reality is that certain sectors were cut out, again, from affordable, accessible education opportunities. Looking back at the formation of the college and the mandate that it had, to truly serve the needs for community education; to see the change coming, to a more market-driven, less community-focused strategy would have been disappointing, even heart-breaking for some.
PAT SUMS UP 1985 IN 2021
“The HBCC was successful, with its community based education, including wananga on maraes throughout Ngati Kahungunu and on the streets of Maraenui. The college had reached out into the community and the community responded. John Harre was an excellent principal under often difficult circumstances.
“John had a philosophy of egalitarianism – that education should be available to all, and during his tenure at the college he saw his philosophy become reality. It was a huge job. He worked hard, achieved a lot in 11 years and created a legacy to be proud of.”
So, things change. Governments, philosophies, mind-sets and ‘trends’ evolve with new styles of learning and purpose of education. That seems to be life. One thing that will never change though, is the model of community education excellence that the Hawke’s Bay Community College team created and the success it achieved in that golden era of enlightenment, between 1975 and 1985.
Perhaps these trailblazers can take heart in an adapted quote, apologies to Alfred Lord Tennyson; “It is better to have created and succeeded, than never have created at all”.
To the students from Tamatea High School Art Department who so generously allowed the Magill Whanau to reproduce your work in Leading From the Front; Nga mihi nui. This book has been created with social justice at its essence and with the driving motivation, to see Ahuriri become a kinder, fairer city, especially for our Tamariki.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
MARAENUI – BY WHANAU FOR WHANAU, ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE
Pat’s connection with Maraenui began in 1965 when the YMCA moved into the premises of a former milk treatment plant on the fringe of the ‘Nui’ in Latham Street. He soon got to know the area and its people well. As his father did before him, Pat felt a connection with the tangata whenua; he had empathy for where they were at and the challenges they’d faced and are still facing, under colonisation and urbanisation. “They’re warm and generous regardless”, says Pat.
As a community Justice of the Peace for 32 years, he has attended Napier Court sessions in a volunteer support role most Wednesdays for years and there he witnesses week after week the stark reminders of the needs in Maraenui.
“It will be a great day when tangata whenua can have a go at self-determination again and that day will come when we honour the Treaty of Waitangi. When our own history is being taught in schools starting next year, when the nation knows our own history, then tangata whenua will be free to determine their reality in a way that supports them.”
Since the middle of 2020 Pat has been an even more familiar, friendly face around Maraenui Shopping Centre. His deep connection with Maraenui is another example of how he walks his talk, consistently raising and maintaining public awareness around inequity in the community, which is one of the three Pilot City Trust goals.
Opening up another ‘branch office’ of the Pilot City Trust outside The Pie Man in the shopping centre, there’s no way you can miss him. It’s an ideal spot for foot traffic, a lot of people stop and chat, and Pat usually shouts a coffee and a pie. “Being on the street is the best thing you can do, just being there, listening to people and finding out ways to help.”
The Pie Man outreach has doubled in people power and expanded its services recently, with Lisa Rattray joining the team. Several of his shipmates top up his café account so he and Lisa can offer maanikitanga trust-style.
The new Maraenui office joins Pat’s first ‘branch’ at Poppies Café in Hastings St, Napier, which has been open for years now. Right next door to the Napier Court House, Pat has had hundreds of koreros and coffee over the years.
Opposite: Artwork from Tamatea High School Art Department: Above: The hugely successful Koha Shed in Longfellow Ave; Pat and new Pilot City Trust foot soldier Lisa Rattray, sharing whanau advice at The Pie Man “office” at Maraenui Shopping Centre.
Maraenui – by whanau for whanau, anything is possible 99
INTRODUCING PAT’S PILOT CITY TRUST OUTREACH
Roger Cathro, The Pie Man himself, opened his bakery in Maraenui three years ago. Below he shares his journey, getting to know Pat – this intriguing, popular community figure who has become quite a fixture with his unconventional ‘business plan’: to talk to as many people as he can, demonstrate that someone cares, and see what can be done to help. Beneath it all there’s the consistent call for a kinder, fairer, child friendly city.
Roger, can you tell us how this story unfolded?
It just sort of happened. Pat started turning up randomly, sitting out the front, chatting with people, shouting them a coffee and something to eat, and then I guess he saw potential in it. He asked me if I minded him setting up properly and I was like, oh, well he was already doing it anyway. So I was like carry on, no problem. Then Pat started coming more frequently, he’s a bit of a crusader isn’t he?
What were your initial thoughts when Pat set up his street office?
You can see that he has a lot of passion and he’s devoted to the people of Maraenui. Our initial thoughts were, if he wants to do it, let him go and we’ll just watch with interest. He knows a lot of people, they stop and talk to him and it’s been really good.
Do you think he’s making an impact?
I believe he is. It’s obviously going to be just small steps though. It’s not an easy thing, what he’s trying to achieve. It’s tough, it’s huge and uphill but you’ve got to start somewhere.
Has he made a difference to the vibe around the place?
Absolutely. Pat’s always smiling and talking to people and smiles are contagious so it’s always going to lift the energy in the area. That’s always a good thing.
Is he good for business?
Definitely. He buys people food and encourages them to sit down and talk about their lives. He helps where he can and encourages a meeting place. While they’re here they buy too. It’s a collaboration.
Have you named a pie after Pat?
No, I don’t think it would be a typical thing for the area.
Have you ever been involved in anything like this before?
No. It has been a lot of watching and learning. Pat explains a few things and we learn more about him and his history and what he’s done over the years. We’re probably still scratching the surface but we do know he’s a very sharp and shrewd old businessman!
Above: Outside The Pie Man in Maraenui, there’s now a community hub. Frequent friendly faces are Pat, Martyka (Marty) Brandt, Roy on work experience, and the Pie Man himself, Roger Cathro. Right: Pat is part of the urban, social Maraenui landscape.
MARAENUI GREEN
BY SALLIE M DUNFORD
Sallie kindly gifted Maraenui Green to Pat’s art auction in honour of the conservation work he has carried out over the decades, along with that of the late Isabel Morgan, another inspirational conservationist.
Maraenui Green is part of an original design presentation that a group of artists made to Napier City Council back in 2012. A series of eight murals were installed around the new Maraenui playground, at times an area unsafe for children. A lot of healing energy was included in each piece and I realise that my role now, as an artist spending a lot of time in the Nui for more than a decade, is more than simply using a paintbrush.
Over three months, myself and other artists and creatives spent time with a core group of kids, many Tamariki and rangitahi, and police each week, designing this project with them, and for the community. We worked creatively with council members and even the skate park designs started to evolve from that time.
I had the honour to spend time in all the kohanga reos and kindys and schools in Maraenui to co-create this piece. I have had a whanau connection there since I was a child and I feel I weave my mahi subtly, through my heart space and through art.
Eight panels stood when we completed the project, representing the elements of earth, air, fire, water and other powerful messages from our future leaders, our Tamariki. The paua in the piece represents harmony and also references the iwi of Ngati Kahungunu; Pohutukawa is the tree of life: and koro and frangipani are for the two cultures strongly represented in Maraenui, Maori and Samoan. The Maori kite refers to the heights teachers can guide Tamariki to, to reach the baskets of knowledge. The flax and woven mat speak to how we weave together as one, and the natural resources of the flax can be used as tools when cared for by us as kaitiaki. The Whariki is the early childhood curriculum that I have advocated for, and been inspired by, for my mahi for more than a decade.
Like Pat, I am passionate about the community of Maraenui and he has always been in and out of community spaces that I visit. He always has a smile for me and a warm word. There’s not much else we need in this world, but to be acknowledged and appreciated and I feel he does that in a moment.
Above and right: Maraenui Green and Heart; two works by cultural artist, Sallie M Dunford.
Maraenui – by whanau for whanau, anything is possible 101
KIDS TEACH DAD HOW TO LOVE
On the surface, Martyka Brandt is an anomaly. Marty – aka Skin or Mad Marty – was a member of the Christchurch Mongrel Mob in 1975 and a founding member of Mighty Mongrel Mob Aotearoa in Christchurch, 1979. (The Aotearoa Mighty Mongrel Mob chapter was founded a year earlier in 1978 by Gypsy in the North Island).
Marty’s a pakeha with Yugoslav heritage, he gave up the booze and drugs years ago and he’s still a patched Mob member. “I used to drink every day and all night until I got my kids but I stopped for them, and haven’t had a drink since”, he says.
Living in Maraenui in the mid-80s at the time, Marty gave up his signwriting business and speedway racing to be the main caregiver to his four children. “Even though she tried, the mother of three of my kids couldn’t let go of drugs and alcohol so I became a solo dad. Social Welfare gave me the children and never checked in on me. I had to do everything myself but I found it all common sense really.”
Marty’s the first to say that his kids saved him as a person and in the process of parenting, he discovered he was a natural, and applied through CYPS and Open Home Foundation in Hastings to look after six more children.
To have the best chance of raising his kids in a healthy environment Marty shifted the family to Tamatea. They moved into a four-bedroom Housing NZ property which was their home base for 19 years and for a time Marty served on the board of trustees at the local school. “At the time Tamatea had a different life-style than the Nui and I wanted the kids away from the party scene, as well as myself. I managed to keep my kids away from drugs and alcohol and bring them up with the right morals. To give your kids a chance to survive, you have to. I’ve always wanted to write a book and I’d call it Turning Point, because at a certain point that’s it – you go one way or the other. Any kid will want to experiment but if the morals are there they’ll come through. My kids made the right choices and they’re in Oz now earning big money”, says one proud father.
Back in 2013 Marty’s parenting skills were so well-known he was asked to run a programme for DOVE Hawke’s Bay Family Violence Protection for a year or so. “Initially the police or iwi wouldn’t let us put the brochures in their windows but when they saw how successful the programme was they got on board.”
Moving back to Maraenui seven years ago Marty’s feeling proud and excited about the positive things going on there now. “Media never picks up on the positives, they always focus on the negatives. In terms of the Mongrel Mob a lot more of the members are working, they’re into fitness, going to the gum and they have two rugby league teams that are doing well. A few have come off P, some by themselves and some through initiatives. It’s slow change but things are definitely changing.”
Whanau Transformation Wananga is one of the initiatives Marty’s referring to and it’s turning lives around. (See page 104). The first wananga was held for 40 people in November last year at Te Oranga Pumanawa in Maraenui and a second course for another 40 people was held at Waiohiki. The buzz around its impact is all over the ‘Nui.
“My Bros who’ve done the course were taught using Maori values and they’ve done wonders coming off P. They were skinny as anything and now they’re into fitness. They’re role models for others – it’s incredible.”
In the top left picture, inset, Marty and his three sisters; Top right inset, daughter Tania-Marie; main photo, with Marty from left are his children, Tynesha-Marika, Nikita and Martika; Middle, Marty, Pat and granddaughter Herri Magill catch up at The Pie Man, Maraenui; Marty at a Mongrel Mob Christmas party for the tamariki at Eskdale Park.
102 Maraenui – by whanau for whanau, anything is possible
AWARD-WINNING FILM ON MARTY’S REDEMPTION GOES GLOBAL
When New York-based, Havelock North-raised filmmaker Tom Gould was visiting Hawke’s Bay back in 2013 he saw an article in the local paper promoting the DOVE programme that Marty was presenting. Tom knew immediately this was a story that needed to be told.
Gaining permission from Marty and DOVE he made a start on the project. For an eight-minute long movie titled Skin – Go Deep with this New Zealand Gang Member, its impact was huge, sending ripples out globally for the powerful, heart-wrenching redemption story that it shares. Nominated for the New Zealand Film Awards in 2013 Skin won the Short Films category and on one website in England the film has received three million comments.
When you discover Marty’s backstory it’s a miracle that redemption was even possible. Admitted by his mother to a mental institution when he was 14, he was in and out of boys’ homes and mental institutions during the 70s, even Lake Alice. “A lot of people don’t realise, everywhere you went in these places, there was abuse. The government and society created us really. You learnt that you couldn’t trust anybody and you had to get tough to survive.”
Living on the streets for a while, he eventually found a whanau with the Mongrel Mob. Years in the gang scene with plenty of drugs, alcohol and mayhem followed until he was forced to make a choice – become a solo dad to his kids, or lose them. Marty chose to become a better father and he’s never looked back.
“My children saved me as a person but it was hard at first. I’d never hugged or been loved. I was like an iceberg, a solid rock. I first had to learn how to hug them and then learn how to love them, and they showed me how. My whole journey of bringing up the children was just an amazing discovery of myself.
For a short film Skin has impacted so many people and helped a lot of other people change as well. “People keep telling me that what I’ve done is great but to me I’m just doing my job. I believe if you have children you have a responsibility, to clothe and feed them and give them a chance in life. It’s as simple as that. You see so many who can’t do that though, they put themselves first. I was the opposite.”
Marty’s involvement in the Mob these days is pretty low key and he supports all the positive things that are happening. Asked how this responsible, sober family man fits in with the Mob, “There’s no issue at all”, he replies. “They like all the positive stuff”.
BIG P PROBLEMS
The stark dangers around drugs and the destruction they bring to communities are still very real. “P is a huge problem. I know a lot of people who want to come off it but they can’t. Some can do it themselves but most can’t and when P is cheaper and easier to get than cannabis, that’s really a big problem.
“The police keep busting the dealers on the street. They take millions off gangs who are dealing in P but that does nothing, meth still flows in. They’ve got to go from the top to the bottom, not start at the bottom, that’s not achieving anything. There needs to be more prevention and rehabilitation to help people get off drugs. That’s the only way you can tackle it and there’s not enough of it.”
More consistent support is needed for successful programmes too, according to Marty; consistent support for successful initiatives that help create healthier communities. Case in point, he lost the programme at DOVE because of a management change, and this one really was making a difference. Luckily he didn’t lose any income – he wasn’t being paid.
Marty is grateful that 46 years ago he discovered a passion for racing stock cars. Everything from making and fixing cars, to racing them on the track, and taking the kids along too – gives him a buzz. He’s had successes and sponsors too; Hell’s Pizza Napier came on board at one stage, Marty’s self-styled rehab has kept him off the drugs and given his kids a better life too.
“After I straightened myself out I’ve always taught everyone that you don’t need drugs. You can get a natural high from a lot of things. For me, that high comes from speedway and also my signwriting work”. Most people have their vices or addictions and these days Marty’s are nicotine and coffee. He understands addiction and doesn’t condemn hard drug users but he’s the first to praise anyone who wants to come off it and change. “Anyone can do anything if they’re determined.”
SOMETHING GOOD’S HAPPENING HERE
There’s a lot of buzz going on around Maraenui these days and chances are it’s inspired by Whānau Transformation Wānanga. This personal development journey and a huge source of life arrived in Maraenui in November last year. The initiative – a collaboration between Ngarino Te Waati of Māori Movement, Theresa O’Brien from Angel Promotions and funded by Napier City Council – saw 40 people embark on a 10 week course that literally transformed their lives.
The message and Kaupapa of wananga practice are very powerful, and the effects are being felt right through the community. Marty spoke of it earlier, and just about everyone else is too. A second course for another 40 people was held in Waiohiki earlier this year, with Council and MSD support. (Word spread so strongly about the impact of the wananga that 90 people wanted to sign up.)
According to Ngarino, a lot of what wānanga has to offer, stems from the healing element specifically focused on inter-generational trauma. “A lot of our whānau are still working through the impacts of colonisation, which has affected their whakapapa and upbringing, and contributes to a large percentage of pākeha perceived poverty. There’s a loss of connection and a wide range of issues that stem from cultural suppression to their identity.”
Theresa says people are responding really well to the wānanga. “They’re feeling stronger, so much brighter and the really good thing is that these benefits, these shifts, are being taken into the homes and communities of our people. To date Ngarino has facilitated over 130 wānanga and his skills and perception as a facilitator are unique. He was brought up in a sacred space of learning and raised by elders and teachers of traditional wānanga concepts in what seems to be a very rare and unique experience to non-maori raised in the systemic world view.
“When the Tohunga Suppression Act was passed in 1907 the kuia kaumātua seeded the knowledge in the mokopuna and nurtured, cultivated and harvested the knowledge and wisdom in the Māori language. Over time the calling of certain atua would reveal a skill set which would eventually trigger your potential into a gift. How you applied your gift and your teachings would be your responsibility and would have a major effect in your whanau and community life, which also meant good health and well-being for your circle.”
The wananga, for males and females, involves a 10 week transformational journey and the challenge is for people to maintain the shifts that occur during the course, and take those back into the home.
“Good numbers of gang members have signed up to the wānanga and we’ve felt honoured and privileged to engage them. Using the principle of Te Whare A-io, which is the major unique point of difference with the wānanga, we’re able to help lift them up. There’s a ripple going through the brotherhood and it’s powerful and exciting. And when we’re able to help the whole whānau unit, when we get everyone on board, that’s where the game changes”, says Ngarino.
Through these wānanga Theresa has gained a much deeper insight into the value of Te Whānau Whero (Mongrel Mob). Gangs are always stigmatised but beyond it all they want the same things as us, to be loved and for their whānau to thrive.”
“To bring tangible shifts and change to Māoridom and the community through wānanga, taking things back to Te ao Māori is the way. To achieve that, continuity of funding is really important. We’d like to see government departments, councils and community stakeholders investing more wisely into change, instead of one off funding.”
Some of the blocks for Māoridom going forward include being Māori in a pakeha world: “For example, some organisation want us to show ‘quantifiable returns’ from our wānanga but with this kind of mahi quantifying results isn’t always easy”, says Theresa. “This can be overcome though I think by showcasing Māori and Te Tiriti. There’s a long way to go but a lot of pioneering work is happening. Te Tiriti is being taught in schools from next year and that’s certainly going to help”.
104 Maraenui – by whanau for whanau, anything is possible
WHOEVER PAT WORKS WITH IS SPOT ON
BY REVEREND KAUMATUA MATIU ERU
I first came across Pat through Millie Moa, when he was at the old carpet shop, and then I got to know him properly through Pilot City Trust and the Community College.
Pat is a great believer in Māoridom. He doesn’t like the way Māori people have been treated through colonisation and he’s still fighting for us. I think, “What a man, What are we going to do when this one goes”. He leads everybody in the right direction, and he puts the Māori people right up there.
He’s done so much for our culture and our people; the Māori wardens, the maraes and the walks. I go back to Joe Reti and his family who are great believers of Pat and support him in whatever way they can and whenever he asks for my help I go and support him too.
Last summer we visited the gangs and spoke with them about the safety of our Tamariki and it was a great day for me. I used to work with the gangs – teach Māori, support and help fundraise, and they’d come and get me so it was great to support him in that.
Whoever Pat works with is spot on. He doesn’t just pick anybody, he picks people who are perfect for whatever has to be done.
Pat has made a heck of a difference and he has been honoured by Pilot City and the community. Many people who have worked in the community and supported those who need it have gone and it’s just as well Pat is still carrying on with the younger ones.
He Toa o Ngā Toa – A Champion of all Champions.
MARY RECKONS PAT ROCKS TOO
Kia Ora, my name is Mary Mohawk, I am with the Hub Maraenui City Rock Church in Maraenui Shopping Centre. My goal and passion is to serve God and I believe I was born for this purpose. When your life is for a purpose I believe you will rise above all difficulties.
I honestly can’t remember how I personally met Pat, but I had heard about him and seen small articles on Facebook about the passion he has for the well-being of young people, and that he believes the government doesn’t do enough for our people who are being incarcerated; I being an advocate and voice for them.
But the first time I met Pat face to face was upstairs in the old Napier library where he was reading a newspaper. I went and introduced myself to him and somehow he knew who I was. Then he handed me a poster of him and Minnie Ratima, taking a group of young people to Taumarunui and the next trip up to Ninety Mile Beach in the Far North.
At the same time the church was running community outreach for a youth group. Friday night was pancake night with yummy ice cream and lots of toppings. We had board games, cups of tea and coffee for the parents. The purpose was to engage and have fellowship with our communities, a place where parents and their children could come to enjoy a warm and safe place, a non-judgemental place.
At the same time I was working for Maori Women’s Welfare League in a programme called Poipoia Te Mokopuna – Nurturing the Babies and Parents. I was at work one day and one of the ladies, who also works with me, told me that she and I had been nominated for the Napier Pilot City Awards. I’m pretty sure it was Pat who nominated me. I decided to receive the award and I’m very grateful.
Pat has so much energy and passion. What inspires me the most is that he gets on with anyone and everyone. He has an “office” outside The Pie Man Bakery in Maraenui and he sits there with two people from the community, to korero with people, see that they’re okay and how he can help. There are lots of posts on Facebook too. One of his mates is a patched member (no judgement), who I think Pat is “discipling” to hand the baton of the Napier Pilot City Trust to the next generation. Thank you for being you Pat. Retire now and enjoy the rest of your life!
With love, Mary Mohawk
Above: Painting by Tamatea High School Art Student; Below; Mary Mohawk, Maraenui City Rock Church – a warm, safe and non-judgemental place for the community; Opposite: Ngarino “Buzz” Te Waati of Maori Movement, the creators of Whanau Transformation Wananga.
UNDERSTANDING ISSUES FOR THOSE AT RISK
BY PAUL TRASS
ADMIN MANAGER, MARAENUI RUGBY & SPORTS ASSOCIATION
I first met Pat Magill back in 1983 at the YMCA annual conference when he and I were presenting papers. Pat’s presentation was “The Pub With No Beer” concept that the YMCA was creating, a concept that was to provide a place for young people to call their own, like a pub, but without alcohol.
In the late 1980s I moved to Napier and attended the Hawke’s Bay Sports Awards in this wonderful facility called Michael’s Place, very modern, comfortable and upmarket. I later found out this was Pat’s Pub with No Beer.
Michaels Place showed Pat’s concern for our disadvantaged youth and his desire to do something that was based on the ideas of these young people, rather than some academic or council officer’s solution.
A few years later I was lecturing at EIT and we ran a programme at Mongrel Mob headquarters in Onekawa. For a white South Island boy it was initially quite intimidating but early on in the week this guy wandered in saying “hi” to all and it was of course, Pat.
He had been working with the gang for some time to make sure that they got a fair go from the system. The course ran there for six months and it was interesting to get to know the mobsters and their partners as people.
As the course went on it became apparent that they were very intelligent and capable people who had opted to become gang members for a sense of connection, or to define a new sense of who they are which was not being met by the education or community system.
Pat understood the issues of those at risk in our communities and has not been afraid to challenge politicians and those in power to do something about it. I’m sure the Napier Pilot City Trust, set up to make Napier a Child Friendly City was based on Pat’s vision for the city.
At the Maraenui Rugby and Sports AGM who should be there but Pat Magill and you learn from members that he has been a supporter since the club formed 40 years ago. When the club was hit by the recent Napier floods, at the lunch break for the first working bee a car pulled up and his sister delivered a pile of cherries and lots of ice cream with a simple message, “These are from Pat”. He was in hospital at the time. I’m sure that there are a heap of community organisations who would say the same, “Yep, Pat was on our committee a while back”.
At 90 he still drives this vision and he is never afraid to mix it up with anyone from the local mob chief to the Prime Minister to get things done.
Above: All keen supporters of Maraenui Rugby and Sports Association – Nadeen Wiparata, Maxine Boag and Pat.
106 Maraenui – by whanau for whanau, anything is possible
GROUNDHOG DAY FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE?
BY DOUG LAING
Herein are some quotes from the Pilot City Trust’s submission to the National Seminar on the Prevention of Violence in 1992, when Pat Magill was already a well-seasoned social campaigner both searching for and offering answers.
The frightening thing is that three decades later the fight continues – remarkably with our Pat still in the trenches and determined that one day he will see that to which he most aspires.
“We exist to develop Napier as a bicultural community involved in an ongoing process of improving the quality of life for all its citizens, by encouraging and supporting innovative approaches for preventing or minimising social problems,” the Mission Statement of the NPCT in that submission.
The submission was close to 50 pages of individual support for the kaupapa, from people including a gang leader, a school principal, a barrister, a lecturer, a surgeon, a former police officer, and workers, many of them volunteers, across the spectrum of social and youth work, and sports.
Among the supporting papers was that of a gang leader and work trust boss who in answer to the question of what needed to happen to make Napier free of violence, said: “More jobs. People need to work, it gives them a purpose.”
They were chopping firewood, hard all-day manual work, stacking by hand, tonnes of it, but there was a sad reality when asked if there were any ways in which systems worked to benefit that mahi. “Not for us” was the response.
A voluntary community worker, with a background of family gang affiliation, spoke of her main motivation for why she was involved in community work thus: “I feel that if we leave things as they are we leave our kids at a disadvantage…”
The waters have since passed under many bridges, but many would say those bridges have often been walls, and the waters have not passed them at all – merely backing up and reinforcing, creating and recreating the issues as they exist in modern society.
Nothing, however, has lessened the commitment of Pat Magill in trying to help his beloved Napier become the city he believes it wants, without the inequalities of poverty and hardship, where everyone cares about each other, perhaps best now envisioned in his hopes for the Napier City Council to declare its environs a Child Friendly City.
It’s a UNICEF-led initiative that supports municipal governments in realising the rights of children at the local level using the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child as its foundation.
It would commit the council and its people incorporating their vision for the future of its children in every manner of planning, whether it be from the shape and size of roads, footpaths and playgrounds, or the social and educational conditions in which they will foster, as individuals and a community.
It’s not only Pat’s 95th birthday this year, but also the 40th anniversary of the Napier Pilot City Trust, and it’s worth harking back to page 2 of that submission, highlighting a headline of that year, the Daily Telegraph, November 21, 1992: “Napier’s crime increase tops national figures”.
Hawke’s Bay Today, March 30, 2021: “Napier police “stretched to limit”.
If these are accurate reflections of the times, then the question has to be asked whether the city got what it wanted, rather than what it needs.
The vision of the Trust, and the purposes of Pat Magill, the trust’s arrow-headed protagonist, remain the ultimate challenge.
CHAPTER TWELVE
NAPIER PILOT CITY TRUST –
FOR A KINDER, FAIRER CITY
Napier Pilot City Trust, the PCT – it’s a name many people in Napier have read about and heard of for nearly 40 years. The trust has been driven by Pat, the city’s mostly popular, indefatigable peace loving activist and his many foot soldiers over the years, as a vehicle for hope. The trust’s essence, it’s kaupapa, is to inspire the delivery of kinder, fairer attitudes and policies to those in need of them and inspire positive alternatives to handling violent crimes.
The birth place for the trust was the Hawke’s Bay Community College (HBCC) back in the late ‘70s. This new college was a hub for innovative thought and inspired change and leadership. At the time it had government support to initiate and implement an enlightened blueprint for a new education model based on principles of fairness and inclusion that would encourage people to engage with the college, who previously felt alienated and intimidated by such places of learning, and it was successful in this.
Under the stewardship of social anthropologist and educator, John Harre and his keen team of educationalists inspired by the movements of social change of the day, this institution was anything but staid, it was revolutionary. It held a forum in 1977 to address social issues and invited leading practitioners and academics who seized the day and the opportunities to suggest a fresh approach. Current models of law, order and incarceration weren’t working and a new way needed to be found.
With government support at the time for their vision, people like Pat, with not just dreams but strident desires to see a healthier community, were to see their visions become reality. At the forum, the now late Dr John Robson uttered the phrase “Napier – the one place to offer hope”. This had a profound impact on Pat. He grasped that phrase, seared it across his heart. He then set forth to spread the possibility ever since, and captain the Pilot City Project.
In 1983 under a Muldoon National Government (a socialist in a blue suit?), the Department of Internal Affairs funded a study of the Pilot City concept and in January 1986 Napier was designated by Ann Hercus, the then Labour Minister of Police and Social Welfare, as a Pilot City for the study and implementation of positive alternatives to violence. Mana from heaven, things were rolling. Researcher Bev Barron was appointed and work got under way on Napier’s trail-blazing “social experiment”.
Opposite: Pat doing what he does best, leading from the front and bringing the people along with him. John Wise is the artist, a long time colleague of Pat’s from way back in the earliest days of the Hawke’s Bay Community College and the seeds of the Pilot City; Above: John Robson. Through John’s inspiration and involvement with the Napier pilot City Trust, a collection was opened in his honour at the former Napier Public Library by mayor Alan Dick and John Harre. The collection is now available at the new Napier Library.
Napier Pilot City Trust – for a kinder, firer city 109
Napier Daily Telegraph – 27 November 1977
Napier – the one place to offer hope
Napier as the “social experimental centre of New Zealand” where problem areas in human relationships can be studied was the theme of a panel discussion recently among experts at the Hawke’s Bay Community College. One panellist, Dr John Robson, who is a former Secretary for Justice, thought …
The panellists invited have made distinctive contributions in their fields.
Dr John Robson is now head of the criminology department of Victoria University.
Dr Douglas Bray, professor of educational at Massey University, has done sociological field studies in the Napier area.
Dr John Harre is director of the Hawke’s Bay Community College and a former professor of anthropology.
Dr Vivian Cooper is a Napier jaw and face surgeon who has observed closely the disadvantaged people in the Napier area.
Mr W. Te Moana, a Maori educational advisor, stood in at short notice for the Race Relations conciliator, Mr H. Dansey. Question master was the editor of The Daily Telegraph.
The brief put to the panel was: That Napier could become the social experimental centre of New Zealand where race relations will naturally play an important part.
An audience of about 100 listened to the panel, during a discussion of an hour and a half. A precis of what they heard is recorded herewith.
The Napier Pilot City Trust was then founded, based on the recommendation of the 1983 research initiative supported by the council and Department of Internal Affairs, and as a support unit for Bev. After work drinks at the council boardroom in those days were abuzz. These were heady days.
In 1979 a parliamentary committee visited Napier and supported the concept of Napier becoming a Pilot City. Innovative social programmes were already in place, such as Teenareana, Omahu Youth Development Scheme, the Jay Em Trust and YMCA’s Michael’s Place. Pat was involved with all of these and was a founding member of the Napier Pilot City working party, which was subsequently established and chaired by David Coles. The parliamentary committee said in its report:
“While it would be naïve to regard the Napier scheme as the answer to all social problems, it is an innovative pioneering approach to social and individual malaise, and the committee notes with approval the measures that are being taken.
“It would be an exciting exercise if civic leaders throughout the country were to involve themselves personally in the problems that abound in their communities.”
Since 1984, through Pat’s persistence, tenacity and his strong, staunch army of supporters who’ve been beside him every step of the journey, the commendations of the initial report have been progressed through the formation and activities of the trust.
For nearly 45 years Pat has given it his all, to ensure there’s a group that consistently lobbies council, social agencies and central government to keep focused and efficiently responding to and delivering on community needs. “Pilot City status is an honour given to our city”, Pat says. He still honours that status and urges those who he thinks should honour it as well, to do so.
Bev Barron, the first researcher for the trust, says it continues to identify and facilitate action where needed, including through the Robson Collection, Unity Walks, dinners, Treaty workshops, Robson Lectures and Pilot City Awards. “Pat was, is and will be the key person in the past, present and future of all that is good about the pilot City.”
Above: in 1977 a panel met at the Hawke’s Bay Community College to discuss the premise that Napier could become a ‘social experimental centre of NZ. The ‘brains trust’ comprised academics to foot soldiers and the dreaming began this day. Hopes for the dream to be realised continue – this is ongoing work. Opposite: marching on parliament to address Hon Annette King, Labour Minister (all promises, no plan, Pat says), on state housing 10 years ago. Pat and a group bussed from Napier and stayed at a marae at Wainuiomata.
110 Napier Pilot City Trust – for a kinder, fairer city
NAPIER PILOT CITY KAUPAPA – INSPIRED BY WATERSHED MOMENTS IN NZ’s SOCIAL JUSTICE STORY
THE ROPER REPORT – TE ARA HOU
In 1987 a Ministerial Committee of Inquiry into the prison system was held. Chaired by Sir Clinton Roper, his report Te Ara Hou: The New Way (1989). Recommended far-reaching changes for the justice sector. The main proposal was to build community based centres for prisoners that focused on rehabilitation rather than punishment. There was strong emphasis too on galvanising community support to help reduce the number of people re-offending. Sir Clinton said the current system wasn’t working, the Penal Reform Committee found prison an “absolute failure” at deterring crime and rehabilitating criminals. Critics claimed Roper’s recommendations were too expensive and liberal and they weren’t introduced.
DR JOHN ROBSON: “A CITY NOT TOO SMALL TO LEARN ABOUT ITSELF”
The late Dr John Robson was Secretary for Justice in the 1960s, chairman of the Social Development Council and director of the Institute of Criminology at Victoria University, Wellington. In 1962 he was responsible for the abolition of the death penalty in New Zealand and later became the first criminologist at Victoria University. Dr Robson and Pat’s paths interconnected many times. Although very different men, they shared fundamental values, forever set after John spoke the immortal words and Pat hasn’t stopped repeating them: “Napier, despite its social, economic and cultural difficulties was small enough to learn about itself”.
ROPER: BUILD COMMUNITIES, NOT PRISONS
In Te Dara Hou, while Roper recommended that rehabilitation centres be built instead of prisons, for many New Zealanders, incarceration is preferred over rehabilitation. There’s a sense that the latter gives those who are sentenced a soft option.
MOANA JACKSON’S REPORT
He Waipaanga Hou 1989 also proposed fundamental transformative approaches to justice in Aotearoa New Zealand. Ever since there have been numerous reports and reviews, none of which have led decision-makers to undertake fundamental change. Moana is a staunch Napier Pilot City Trust supporter and has presented at Unity Day. He Whaipaanga Hou is as, if not more, significant than the Roper Report and it too has been ignored.
FINANCE MINITER BILL ENGLISH, 2011: “PRISONS ARE A MORAL AND FISCAL FAILURE”
English made this headline grabber when he launched National’s social investment strategy, based around a ‘cradle to the grave’ data-driven project that was to target government assistance to those who needed it. Pat couldn’t believe what he was hearing – at last the penny was dropping, it seemed.
ICOPA
The bi-annual International Conference on Penal Abolition, is the only group globally dedicated to penal abolition. Pat has been to numerous ICOPA conferences around the world – Auckland, Hobart, Toronto, Belfast, London, Toronto, Lagos. Trinidad and Amsterdam. “You can say it so many ways, and academics do, but cutting through all that there is no doubt prisons aren’t good places. Most people incarcerated aren’t bad people, they’re simply not coping.”
112 Napier Pilot City Trust – for a kinder, fairer city
NAPIER – THE ONE PLACE TO OFFER HOPE
THE FIRST PILOT CITY BROCHURE – LOOKING BACK TO LOOK FORWARD
“We should strive to develop a constructive concern for others … Each individual possesses his own quality of life and his uniqueness contributes to the life of others and to the richness of society … acceptance of a non-conforming individual and minority groups by the community is important … I think Napier is about the one place that from my angle offers hope of something that is going to happen”.
Dr John Robson, world renowned criminologist, Wellington
“I don’t believe there are Maori problems, pakeha problems, youth problems, age problems. I only believe there are people problems and I think if one starts from this point of view, it leads one to a different solution … We have here in embryonic form a notion that Napier is a caring place where people care for people … Voluntary helpers have to be supported somewhere along the line by real money. It becomes a political thing both in terms of national politics and local body politics.”
Dr John Harre, former professor of Anthropology, former director HB Community College
“It seems extraordinary that a few devoted people can produce remarkable results on a shoestring budget whereas by comparison, the well-funded and equipped traditional organisations in our society such as police, justice and prisons, using a punitive approach and absorbing millions of dollars of tax-payers’ money continue to fight a losing battle with no hope for reform, for, in the main they treat effects only and have no preventive approach to disruptive social behaviour. This preventive work in Napier has the potential for becoming a significant major social experiment and a model for the rest of New Zealand.
Dr Vivian Cooper, Oral Surgeon, Napier
Photo caption – 1st Pilot City brochure.
NAPIER PILOT CITY TRUST
“Napier, a city not too large to learn about itself”
Te taone o Ahuriri, kaore e tino nui ki te ako ratau
VISION
Napier is a Kind and Fair City.
All people feel valued:
Differences are respected
Basic needs are being met
All are socially and economically included and are living in dignity.
Our Kind and Fair City
Offers access to quality employment, education, health, housing, justice and safety.
Thrives on the active participation in decisions by all members of the community
Known internationally for courageous restorative, social and economic innovations.
The Pilot City Trust exists because clearly not all of Napier’s citizens are currently being treated with fairness and kindness:
Compared to the rest of New Zealand:
Prison is the sentence of 17.1% of Napier convictions (NZ 12.8%) Justice Statistics 2017/2018
0.5% of Napier residents are on a waiting list for social housing (NZ 0.2%) Housing New Zealand Statistics September 2018
17.1% of Napier youth (15-24) are not in employment, education or training (NZ 11.6%) Statistics NZ June 2018.
Ahuriri; Kia Kaha! Kia Toa! Kia Manawanui!
MISSION
To work for a fairer and kinder Napier that reflects our bicultural history and growing diversity. We will advocate for the adoption of restorative and community building practices and will strive to eliminate social injustices/inequities.
OUR GOALS 2019-2021:
We will:
Be an effective, credible and influential force for social change in Napier
Ensure the sustainability of the Trust through Good Governance
Build the Trust’s visibility in the community
Celebrate unity
Promote restorative practices
Raise and maintain public awareness of inequity
Challenge stereotypes and misconceptions
Acknowledge the central role of mana whenua and Te Tiriti o Waitangi
Promote the piloting (use) of alternatives that will lead to a fairer and kinder city
Promote and engage in research
Make information accessible and available to the community
Encourage leaders to trial initiatives that are supported by evidence
Ma te Kaupapa ka puawai
Above: The Trust vision statement, 2020; Opposite page; Maxine Boag, Jenny Cracknell, Bev Barron and a mystery blonde with Pat at Westshore, even change agents need a break and there’s nothing like a good wine to fuel the revolution; Fanfare and excitement around PCT as it takes its place in a ticker tape parade.
KEY PILOT CITY SUPPORTERS SHARE THEIR KORERO
Violence brings only temporary victories; violence, by creating many more social problems than it solves, never brings permanent peace.
BE KIND WHENEVER POSSIBLE. IT IS ALWAYS POSSIBLE.
POVERTY DOES NOT CREATE OUR SOCIAL PROBLEMS…OUR SOCIAL PROBLEMS CREATE OUR POVERTY.
If we want to reach real peace in this world, we should start educating children.
OUR UNITY IS OUR STRENGTH AND OUR DIVERSITY IS OUR POWER.
When the power of love, overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace.
Happiness is more than doing fun things. It’s about doing meaningful things.
A CANDLE LOSES NOTHING BY LIGHTING ANOTHER CANDLE.
WITHOUT A SENSE OF CARING, THERE CAN BE NO SENSE OF COMMUNITY.
PREVENTIVE & PROACTIVE
BY BEV BARRON
Pat was involved with the Pilot City concept for over ten years before it was actually deemed a Pilot City for New Zealand in 1986. He was a major driving force behind it until he ‘retired’ on his 85th birthday but nearly a decade later he’s still going just as strong and in everything he does, he continues to uphold and practice Pilot City values – what a hero!
It was my good fortune to meet Pat in 1983 when undertaking research into the feasibility of Napier becoming a Pilot City. In 1977 the notion had been put forward that, because of the many good things that were happening in Napier, the city could become a social experimental centre for New Zealand.
In 1984, the findings from the research were published and addressed the question: Is Napier a happy city? Is it a violent city? Is it a caring city? Given that the name Pat Magill is virtually synonymous with the Pilot City, it is only right that we ask the same questions of him:
Is Pat happy? Is he violent? Is he caring?
In my opinion, he is invariably happy; he is about the least violent person I know, and he is extremely caring. In short, Pat Magill is someone who represents all that is good about Napier. He walks the talk, literally and figuratively, championing the wisdom in these quotes by famous humanitarians.
FORMER NAPIER MAYOR ON MEETING PAT IN THE ‘80S
BY ALAN DICK
Pat was a strong supporter, trustee, mentor and friend to Jim Morunga, an amazingly effective community worker, and his Jay Em Trust. The trust had a long history of assisting unemployed and at-risk youth and continued into the early 1990s to become the longest surviving work trust.
I also knew Pat through my involvement with the Napier YMCA. Pat was a long-standing board member and inspiration behind its youth programmes including the Tu Tangata awards for achievement and leadership normally presented annually by Sir Paul Reeves.
Pat was also the inspiration behind Michael’s Place, the ‘Pub With No Beer’ project, with most of the funding obtained through Pat’s advocacy. While it ultimately failed its objective because of the fickleness of teenagers, it was a noble experiment that ran for a couple of years.
Then of course the Pilot City Trust, with the Government declaring Napier the Pilot City. It was a government interdepartmental social initiative, producing the Bev Barron State of Napier reports which led the council to adopt a community development philosophy which persists today. You will know the rest – the Walks for Unity, Pilot City Awards and persistence with the notion that Napier, a city with 55,000 [now 65,000] people is large enough to exhibit society’s problems but still small and cohesive enough to find solutions.
Napier is very fortunate to have a visionary like Pat who harms and influences people with the particular knack of getting people to think away from the norms, without creating offence. He has made a lot of sacrifices along the way, always helping other people but seldom himself.
Above: Pilot City crew, late ‘70s in the Napier City Council board room, corrupting the halls of power with their goodness; it worked pretty well until a new mayor came along.
THE DREAMER, THE PLAY MAKER, THE COACH
BY JIM MORUNGA.
Presented at one of Pat’s many farewell functions, a few years before Jim passed away.
I remember arriving in Napier 1976 and waiting to chat to Pat Magill at the Napier YMCA. I’d just completed two years studying sociology at Auckland University and was looking for a job in Napier. Even then at 50, Pat had energy and enthusiasm and brokered a deal to have me shift to Napier and work in Maraenui (unpaid), but with guidance and support, he was sure that paid employment would happen. Even then a group of us assembled around Pat, people like Wally Hunt, Mike McCullum, Rozie Bartosh, Irma Higgs, Ann Minnell, Chris Mil, Marion Taite and many others.
WHAT’S IT ABOUT, PAT?
I think Pat was the dreamer, the play maker, the coach,, the connector and finally, The Don. Pat had faith, hope and was an extremely charitable person who saw the best in people.
One day not so long ago Pat and I shared a bottle or two of fizzy when out of the blue he quoted a father-son statement: “Dad, I’ve tried very hard to improve the business. I’ve developed new systems, new ways of increasing profit, but Dad, you ignore it all. Why?
“Son, it’s like this. Business is like a game of cricket and I’m the batter and you are the bowler and until you bowl me out, you continue to bowl.”
Many years on, again same setting, but Pat and I had progressed to chardonnay, when he became insistent on what he thought needed doing. I simply replied, “Pat, I’m the batter”. Nothing was said for quite some time.
Pat has a thirst for learning about what makes people tick, what makes communities hum, and what makes life difficult for some. He is a man who without prejudice, connects with all sectors in society. He accepts people for who they are, warts and all. But hang on a minute, Pat also enjoys little dramas, a sense of adventure and going places totally unprepared and he’s happy to wing it.
Pat is a man without prejudice, who connects with all sectors in society.
THE FORMIDABLE YEARS
This is poetry in motion: Pat says, “I’m going to a meeting”. He’ll wait for you to ask, “What meeting?”. His reply, “You need to be there!”. Again, “Pat, what’s it about!”. He replies, “Yes, and you need to let Mary, Sam and Joe know”. “Right, but what’s it about!”. To which you get the time and place and he might even offer to pick you up. That is after he’s asked you to photo copy two hundred pages of scribble, or better still, could you type the whole thing and photo copy the lot too.
Pat never takes things personally as he’s too busy working through your personal issues, in a nice way. To watch Pat operate is an art in itself. Pat enquires at the front desks; “Who is the person I need to see about getting my friend paid to do what needs to be done!” Of course Pat is being deliberately vague, so he can move up the chain of command without people thinking he’s on a mission. He’s finding out who does what and he’s then in a position to let you know, so you’re able to fire the bullets at the right people. Again, formidable!
Above: Those 70s again, networking in the halls of power; Old friends plotting new ways for the world – Jim, Pat and Colin Knox in Pat’s garden, 2017, a few months before Jim passed away.
Napier Pilot City Trust – for a kinder, fairer city 117
TWILIGHT YEARS – REFLECTING AND OBSERVING
Yes, our same self-styled Pat continues to travel the highways and byways nationally and internationally, but he can still be seen most mornings walking the estuary at Ahuriri with a bag collecting rubbish that some of us casually drop, leave, or dump as we walk the same track.
Here he is, still caring, still passionate about life and the environment. Only these days he usually has friends or grandchildren in tow, in case he overlooks something. For many hours and years Pat has spent rejuvenating the bush at Puketitiri. He doesn’t just talk about conservation, he practices what he preaches.
I’m often amused when visiting Pat. We exchange normal greetings following by Pat saying: “I’ll put the jug on. We’ll have a nice cup of coffee.” To which I heartily agree. Magic in motion as I set and wait for the coffee. I wait as Pat trades small talk, then there’s Pat’s version of the news. I wait, as I know there’s more to come, like his thought for the day. I wait, thinking I’m very patient, as I know we have yet to get around to, how friends and family are doing.
By this time the jug needs re boiling. Pat’s done something on his computer as well as commented on the state of his house and how he really needs to get a routine, to which I say, “Oh well Pat, I’m off now and thanks for the coffee!” I think Pat is perfectly entitled to confuse me, ponder on the events of the world, and sometimes forget what he intended to do. After all that’s what the twilight years are about, don’t you think?
I have left out many things, events and challenges that I know Pat has tackled or made a significant contribution to in our city and so, I suggest the challenge is now to have someone sit and record with Pat those events and challenges most memorable to him. Who am I? I’m Jim, one of Pat’s mates.
THE JOHN ROBSON COLLECTION
Through his involvement with the Napier Pilot City Trust, Dr John Robson became a “treasure” in Ahuriri and in 1990 a collection was opened in his honour at the Napier Public Library by mayor Alan Dick and John Harre, former director of the former Hawke’s Bay Community College.
Napier libraries now holds the collection of Restorative Justice items known as the John Robson Collection, instigated by the Napier Pilot City Trust / To Matou Taiwhenua Kokiri o Mataruahau.
Robson’s opposition to capital punishment and his support for the reformation of offenders, were heartfelt and deep. The role he played in the death penalty being abolished in 1961 brought him both relief and satisfaction.
The trust – driven by the kaupapa. Napier Develops Communities no Prisons – established The John Robson collection as a community initiative with the intention to gather resources and inspire informed debate.
Also featuring an online prospectus, the collection includes items relating to criminal, social and restorative justice and receives donations of publications from New Zealand and around the world. Financial donations are also welcomed to ensure the resource can continue to grow and be relevant. The collection is now available in its entirety for lending and is housed on the first floor of the Napier library, along with other relevant resources.
“Reforming the Criminal Justice System remains central to the Trust’s vision for a kinder and fairer Napier”.
ROBSON LECTURE 2021
Professor Tracey McIntosh delivered the Robson Lecture at this year’s Unity Day with the theme of her presentation based around Criminal Justice Reform. Professor McIntosh was a member of the Safe and Effective Justice Advisory Group which was tasked with engaging with the public about what type of Justice System New Zealanders want to see, and to canvas ideas on how these changes should be made.
Following several years of research, the result is Turuki! Turuki! – a report providing recommendations for a fundamental reshaping of Aotearoa New Zealand’s justice system to one which prevents hard, addresses its causes and promotes healing and restoration among individuals and communities.
It’s an ambitious call but one the committee is adamant needs to be picked up immediately following years of inaction to mend what is widely known to be a broken justice system.
Pilot City was established in 1986 and Unity Day programmes have forged a reputation for curating high quality, relevant presentations by leading and inspirational voices in the restorative justice space. Included within Unity Days are forums on restorative justice and the roles that local and central government can play in supporting the concept of Napier piloting lasting alternatives to violence.
The John Robson Collection, a Pat driven initiative in the former Napier library; brand spanking new books for the collection, signed by the authors, Sir Kim Workman’s Journey Towards Justice, and Professor Chris Marshall’s All Things Reconciled. Chris called the modern restorative justice movement, “perhaps one of the most important social movements of our time”; Karakia following Sir Kim Workman’s keynote address at the Pilot City Unity Forum, 2019.
A SHARED DEEP COMMITMENT TO SOCIAL JUSTICE
BY JOCELYN ROBSON, JOHN ROBSON’S DAUGHTER
I first met Pat Magill some years ago at Napier airport. I had contacted him because I was curious to learn more about his friendship with my father – and as I left the plane and walked across the tarmac that day, Pat at once came up to me. He had recognised the family likeness, he said. It was a good beginning, as far as I was concerned! I knew he was an admirer of Dad’s and though they come from very different backgrounds, I soon understood that he and Pat had shared a deep commitment to social justice.
My father had died a short time before. He had spent most of his school days in Hawke’s Bay and had a strong attachment to the place, the landscape, bush and native birds. Pat told me stories of Dad’s later visit to Napier, and the speeches he gave there as Secretary for Justice in the 1960s. the one that sticks in my mind and also seemed to resonate with Pat was when Dad told his audience that Napier, despite its social, economic and cultural difficulties was ‘small enough to learn about itself”.
Pat took this to heart. He has been ready to seize all those learning opportunities ever since and I know how much he is valued and loved by local people. He is a key mover behind the promotion of The John Robson Collection in the Napier Public library and he remains an ardent support of this community initiative. The items in the collection are now devoted to the study and pursuit of Restorative Justice and I know my Dad would have been very proud of that.
I’ve stayed in touch with Pat since our first meeting and though I live in London, I’m often back in New Zealand and am always pleased to see him again. We talk mostly about new developments in the field of crime and punishment (not all of them good!) and I’m always amazed by his endless energy. He is unfailingly kind and practical. I know he campaigns tirelessly to help people in need and over the years, I have come to love and admire him. He’s a treasure, a good egg, and in my book, a hit of a hero!
“The modern restorative justice movement is perhaps one of the most important social movements of our time.”
PROFESSOR CHRIS MARSHALL.
AUTHOR OF ALL THINGS CONSIDERED.
THE DRIVER FOR A UNIQUE RESOURCE
BY EMMA SHEPHEARD-WALWYN, NAPIER LIBRARIES
Pat Magill has been one of the stalwarts of the restorative justice movement in Napier. His endless enthusiasm and passion of the project have been evident in everything Pat does, in the relationships he continues to build, and in his tireless advocacy for the underprivileged.
Pat was one of the driving forces behind the establishment of the John Robson Collection in Napier Libraries, in association with the Napier Pilot City Trust / To Matou Taiuwhenua Kokiri o Matauruahau. The collection focuses on restorative practice in New Zealand, including items relating to criminal, social and restorative justice.
Having being developed as a community initiative by Napier Pilot City Trust, it relies on donations from the community and around the world. Napier Libraries has been proud to work with Pat and the Napier pilot City Trust in building and continuing to develop this unique resource for the Napier community.
Image above: Napier Public Library in Herschell St where The John Robson Collection is held.
IT’S ALL ABOUT UNITY
TAKE IT TO THE STREETS – CELEBRATE ALL THAT’S GOOD
Over the years, the Pilot City Trust has become synonymous with several leading annual Napier events that spread the word on the trust’s vision and purpose and hopefully raises funds too. In the past, celebrations were held over a week. Lately, it’s more like two days, held on and prior to ANZAC Day., the programme usually features the Unity Day Forum, the John Robson Lecture, Pilot City Awards and a Walk for Unity.
Along with the keynote John Robson lecture, the Unity Day Forum has become one of the country’s leading events that is focused on the latest and most effective restorative justice thought and practices. The presentation of the Pilot City Unity Awards, held on the same day, vitally acknowledge and applaud that selfless work that individuals and groups carry out to help create a kinder, fairer city.
The Unity Dinner is another special occasion where trust members and supporters join together in supporting world peace initiatives, finding innovative ways to
JOHN ROBSON LECTURE PRESENTERS:
Sir Kim Workman
Hon Dame Sian Elias, Chief Justice
Hon Doug Graham
Dr John Harre
High Court Judge, Hon Joseph Williams
Pam Thorburn, fmr CEO NZ Corrections
Dr Roger Blakely, Internal Affairs
Henare O’Keefe
Dame Tariana Turia
Prof John Pratt, Head of Criminology, Victoria University
Prof John Stenning, Criminologist, London
Raukawa Tait, Women’s Refuge
Sir Paul Reeves
Russell Fairbrother QC
Judge Fred McElrea (Judge McElrea also shared his family’s collection of Restorative Justice books with the Robson Collection, Napier Library.)
Image above: Combining Unity Walk and training for Te Araroa Offers Hope hikoi, directly behind Pat is Ngaire and Ross Dunca, Pat Warren, right of Pat is Tanyon Ratima followed by the late Minnie Ratima, Mariese Keil and supporters.
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Making a week of it
build communities not prisons, and continuing to lobby for Ahuriri becoming a Child Friendly City – a UNICEF initiative that the trust fully endorses.
The Napier RSA is now an important player within the Pilot City Unity programme. “Amazingly, the RSA now shares their ANZAC Day with the trust so we can jointly honour those who have died fighting for Aotearoa”, says Pat. “When you think about it there is a real synergy between the trust and the RSA. Both at their heart strive for peace, within New Zealand and around the world.”
The first Pilot City Dinner was held 30 years ago and it soon became a regular feature to invite Wellington-based ambassadors and high commissioners to take part in the celebrations. The War Memorial Function Centre on the Marine Parade was a popular venue, with uber-talented all-rounder Denis O’Reilly fulfilling the role of MC for many years. more recently trust dinners have been held at the Napier RSA, where the events are always unique and the buffet hearty.
Ngatarawa Wines became another popular feature at the dinners, with Alwyn Corban generously supplying a variety of wine styles for the peace-loving dinner guests. After nearly 15 years of presenting Ngatarawa’s stellar product free of charge at most trust events, Alwyn sold the company to the Maris Brothers’ at The Mission. Hopefully the two events aren’t linked! The trust didn’t lose Alwyn though; the councillor with the Hastings District Council is now on the committee as treasurer and in-house wine adviser.
The guest list at the dinners is always eclectic and interesting. Even overseas EIT students are regularly welcomed into the Pilot City whanau for the event, much to their delight. Surprise entertainers turn up too, such as Napier’s legendary Tabac Theatre star Buddy Collins, whose melodramatic gestures and songs dripping romance was one of the more memorable billings. Pilot City Unity events are definitely occasions where people have come to expect the unexpected!
Flags flying, spirits high, Walking for Unity hikoi are even supported in the rain; Pat with Alyson Bullock, one of the trust’s original members and staunchest supporter.
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Clockwise from top left: Alcohol in our Lives Forum; Pilot City Trust Unity Day 2019, Kaumatua Haami Hilton, Edina Hilton, Matiu Eru, Robert Whaitiri and mokopuna; Moana Jackson presents at the 2010 Forum; Josie Kewley, Caroly Winiata, Zita Smith and Maxine Boag enjoy lunch at the Hawke’s Bay Club; Napier’s RSA Selwyn Hawthorn with Bubbles Munro; Noel O’Reilly from MSD presents: strong numbers attended the event.
A LITTLE RECOGNITION FOR HEROIC COMMUNITY WORK
Just a sample of greatness in the community: Unity Awards 2010 left: Monica Stockdale, back: Moana Jackson (keynote speaker), Te Rangi Huata, Ros Rowe, Haami Hilton, Toro Brown: front Genesis Keefe, Mihi Rigby and Edina Hilton; 2011: Left to right, Whetu Tipiwai, Kathy Egan, Ngareipa Hawaikirangi, Judge Joe Williams (Robson Lecture speaker), Roscoe Brown, Heitia Hiha (kaumatua), Peter Grant, Peter Gibson and Rev Bill Chapman; 2012: Left – Right Phyllis and Henare Ratima, Maxine Boag, Andrew Becroft, Will Jenkins; Front Yvonne Aranui, Heath Skipworth; bottom row, Liz Ratima, Russ Spiller (deceased), and Tiwana Aranui; 2013 Recipients of the 15th NPC awards: Back row, Tom Hemopo, Tamihana Nuku, Waapu Clark, Nima Timu and Cyrus Tawhara. Front row, Caroline Lampp, Prof. Mutu (Robson Lecture presenter), and Lou Halbert. Insert Paki Keefe (posthumous award); 2019: Top left: Aaron Garnham Pitcher, Heather Ann Turner, Joanne Gaudin, Sheridan Ihaia-Rogers, Jim Gaudin, Jan Hiha, Belinga Pukeke, Ronnie Rochel and Vicki Julian.
AND CONGRATULATIONS TO THIS YEAR’S WINNER
THE NAPIER PILOT CITY TRUST 2021 UNITY AWARDS
Tracey Benson: Tracey, a residential Service Manager for Whatever It Takes Trust, uses her experiences and pitfalls in growing up to provide a strongly empathetic service to her clients. She is driven by a desire to work towards the hope in others for a richer life. She believes it is such a privilege to offer much hope for her whanau towards a kinder and fairer city of Ahuriri Napier
Martyka Fleming Brandt: For services to the community. After growing up in a struggling environment, Martyka has used his personal experience in parenting to provide grass roots advice to whanau. He organised a successful mother parenting programme and now voluntarily makes himself available daily to all members of the Maraenui community where his quiet advice and support is popular.
Sallie Dunford: Is an environmental artist and motivator for peace with a focus on our environment. She gains motivation from others because Papatuanuku is her life force, and she uses this to reflect the rich, fertile soil upon which the community was founded. She has recently completed a mural on the Maraenui Koha Shed and believes that this speaks for her mahi.
Levi Harley Armstrong: Has become a familiar figure in and around Maraenui where he is providing daily training opportunities. As part of a Master’s degree in Health he runs free classes daily from Monday to Friday and a Saturday morning class as well in health and fitness. The classes are very popular and are proving locals the opportunity to improve their health and wellbeing.
Peter Eden: For services to his marae (Moteo) and to the wider community of Napier. Peter has played an important role in the revitalisation of Te Taiwhenua o Te Whanganui ā Orotū. During both the November floods and during the Covid-19 crises he was central to the efforts to ensure whanau were supported physically, emotionally and spiritually.
Peter Findlay: For services to the community. For years Pete has very quietly volunteered, particularly in and around Maraenui on community projects that are designed to make Napier kinder and fairer. Immediately following the November deluge, Pete mobilised several like minded people to support the clean up and the delivery of care packages to affected communities.
Rose Hiha: For services to her marae (Petane) and the wider community of Napier. Rose has played a strong supportive role in revitalising Te Taiwhenua o Te Whanganui ā Orotū. During both the November floods and during the Covid-19 crises Rose was central to the efforts to ensure whanau were supported physically, emotionally and spiritually.
Janice Keepa Kahukiwa: For services to her marae (Te Haroto) and the wider community of Napier. Janice has played a strong role in revitalising Te Taiwhenua o Te Whanganui ā Orotū. During both the November floods and during the Covid-19 crises Janice was central to the efforts to ensure whanau were supported physically, emotionally and spiritually.
Hori Reti: For his tireless services to his marae (Tangoio) and the wider community of Napier. Hori coordinated Te Taiwhenua o Te Whanaganui ā Orotū response to both the November floods and during the Covid-19 crisis. His leadership of Te Taiwhenua o Te Whanganui ā Orotū was instrumental in ensuring they were able to respond so quickly and effectively in times of crisis.
Marewa Kuini Reti: For services to her marae (Tangoio and Petane) and the wider community of Napier. Marewa has played a key role in the revitalisation of Te Taiwhenua o Te Whanganui ā Orotū. During both the November floods and during the Codid-19 crisis Marewa was central to the efforts to ensure whanau were supported physically, emotionally and spiritually.
Satyam Saha: For services to the International Student community. Dring the 2020 Covid-19 lockdown Satyam played a vital link between the Institute and individual international students who were isolated and lonely. Satyam’s efforts ensured that each of the students were able to be supported both by EIT and by the local migrant community.
IT’S UNITY AWARD TIME
Mark Sweet writes a tribute a few years back that still rings true today.
BAY BUZZ FEATURES UNSUNG HEROES
When Tom asked me to contribute to the list of 100 Buzzmakers in Hawke’s Bay I was immediately resistant. A passage from the Dao De Ching came to mind: Not to value and single out men of superior ability is the way to keep the people from rivalry. In modern parlance, I take this to mean that in compiling a roll of significant people there will inevitably be some equally deserving of inclusion who will be overlooked, which is both unfair and contentious. Tom then asked if I would collaborate with Pat Magill in writing about those people who work in the social services.
My first memory of Pat is from Westshore in the late 1950s when the beach was still sandy. He and my father would compete in who could land farthest up the beach from body surfing a wave.
Sentiment, and admiration for Pat’s dedication to social justice persuaded me to partake, but we were confronted with the vexing decision of who should be included, because in Hawke’s Bay there are legions of citizens who work tirelessly on behalf of others; lives spent in service to the community often working with those least privileged in extremely difficult circumstances.
They are the unsung heroes of our society. Their substantive contribution is mostly unrecognised, but the character of these folk is such that they don’t seek or need recognition.
These are our teachers, doctors, nurses, and social workers, many working way beyond their contracted agreements, because it is service they are dedicated to, not remuneration or recognition. And lest we forget, there are hundreds of men and women who coach or support sports teams and cultural activities, visit hospitals, the elderly, and the prison, and care in one way or another for their fellow citizens.
So too do many family members, who put aside their own needs and desires to spend time with children and the elderly in their families, many with special needs for caring.
Those who volunteer their time and expertise in supporting the afflicted, the suffering, the struggling, and the dispossessed are a foundation without whom our society would collapse. And like the foundations of a building they are under the surface, unseen, but absolutely essential to the integrity of the structure.
Appreciation of the invaluable role played by the volunteer sector, and those who go the extra mile in their community service careers, is lost in a society increasingly individualistic and obsessed with personal status and the cult of celebrity.,
So in naming a few, we must remember the many, and that those mentioned are representatives of the collective who do outstanding work in our communities.
“Anything that improves the well-being of Maori improves the well-being of the whole community”.
MAN ON A MISSION, AN INFLUENCER, SO MUCH MANA
BY MAXINE BOAG, NAPIER CITY COUNCILLOR
When I first ran for Napier City Council a few years ago now I had a photo taken with Pat to put on my flyer and added, Nominated by Pat Magill. This had to be changed because Pat lives in another ward, however it didn’t do me any harm. Pat has actively supported left-leaning candidates in local body elections, myself included, for years.
A few years later, the Maraenui Shopping Centre toilet (since demolished and replaced), in the shopping centre reserve, was kindly decorated courtesy of Pat. You could call him the project manager, with a group of youngsters doing a holiday programme. I think he was supporting an artist who was working with a group of Tamariki, and purchased paint and brushes, and they did a one-day bomb of the toilet block, which was in a terrible state.
Unfortunately Pat didn’t have permission or consent, which caused minor ructions at the council, and workers were sent down to paint over the ‘mural’ as quickly as they could.
The graffiti project was a bit rough and ready but harmless really, and I was enraged by an email sent around council by a well-paid bureaucrat working in Maraenui, ridiculing Pat for organising this and I made a complaint to the Te Puni Kokiri regional manager at the time, which he put in the too hard basket. Pat has a way of cutting through bureaucracy you might say and sometimes gets away with it and sometimes he doesn’t! and I learnt early not to tell Pat anything you wouldn’t mind having emailed out to a wide range of people in the community!
Pat is a nomad and he doesn’t waste time, feeling he has to make the most of what there is left and there’s much more work to do. He’s a man with a mission; he can influence events and beliefs and he has so much mana, with Maori and pakeha who listen to Maori.
I have more to say about Pat but where do you start or finish when he’s still on his skates all over the place, literally and metaphorically. He’s like the Scarlett Pimpernel: “They seek him here, they seek him there, those Frenchie’s seek him everywhere. Is he in Heaven? Is he in Hell? The damned elusive Pimpernel!”
Love you Pat! Your fearless advocacy for social justice has shown us all a way forward in honouring the Treaty in our daily lives.
He aha te mea nui o te ao, he tangata he tangata he tangata. What is the most important thing in the world, it is the people, the people, the people.
Image above: Maxine and Pat in a photo that featured in Max’s campaign brochures for Napier City Council.
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Clockwise from top left: Let’s hear it for Unity; a pensive Pilot City crowd takes in the korero; Pat with Helen Lloyd, another staunch supporter; another great night at the RSA, with mystery guest from left, then Minnie Ratima, Maxine Boag, Pat, Franz Mueller, Rose Mohi and Winepare Mauger; Bevan Taylor wows the crowd; and MC Denis O’Reilly enjoys a laugh and a nice Ngatarawa red.
STAMINA AND RESOLVE WITH NO EQUAL
BY MARTIN WILLIAMS, BARRISTER
Through meeting Pat, my world view was transformed. I began to very much believe in and still champion to this day a model whereby social wellbeing is best achieved through enabling everyone in our communities to realise their full potential.
I first met Pat Magill in about May 2008 at our house in Cameron Road, soon after we moved to Napier from Auckland. My parents Jon and Helen Williams had met Pat on several occasions, and knew that he used to live in our house from the time he was born in the mid-1920s until (I think) the late 1940s or early 1950s, when he was married. My mum had read a book written by his sister Marie called Irish in the Blood which she loaned to me, and I had read prior to meeting Pat.
This book tells the story of a family growing up during the depression and post-earthquake era in a loving but strict Brethren household. Many of the stories were of course set within rooms of the house now occupied by our family, and I found it fascinating to learn that history through reading those stories about the house we now lived in. Also, about Pat’s antics as a youngster, such as getting hold of a transistor radio (which was strictly banned in the household), or in later life, returning home a little worse for wear after a football match and a few beers with his mates.
Stories also of Marie sitting at the window seat of the room my daughter now occupied, looking wistfully out over the city and hearing the music of a dance in town that she longed to be part of. Hearing how Pat’s father had a premonition of the earthquake so the family headed out of town for safety; then how they received a message that there had been a catastrophe in Napier and they quickly returned to help people out as a family. Of how the house needed to be shifted back and reset, having fallen off its piles. Of how the house used to be a private school back in the 1890s and how Pat’s Martin Williams and Pat, walking, talking and walking the talking.
“I often thought of Pat as a bit like that toothbrush they used to advertise “gets into those hard to reach places.”
was so excited to be able to get enough money together to buy it.
On this first and over several visits since, Pat showed me the room that he used to live in as a youngster, pointing to the window that he leaned out of on one occasion after a rugby match to clear his head. I recall Pat looking into the downstairs cupboard and noticing the carpet, exclaimed this was the very same carpet his parents had installed throughout the house.
More important than all of this of course, I began to learn about what community meant to Pat. When he asked why we moved to Napier I said that I had wished to be part of a stronger more caring and cohesive community than my children could possibly hope to grow up in Auckland. This was all the encouragement Pat needed to invite me to a Pilot City Trust meeting. Before I knew it, I was a trustee and a year or two later, chair of that Trust.
Through that experience my world view was transformed. I began to very much believe in and still champion to this day a model whereby social wellbeing is best achieved through enabling everyone in our communities to realise their full potential, without making judgments of their worth based on how they might appear or their background. Of Pat’s model (inspired by the late John Robson), of a city of 60,000 people “not too large to know itself”, and if Napier can’t make this model work, who or where can. This is what his billboard Napier builds communities Not prisons was all about. Pat had worked at the coalface of that vision for many years by the time I met him, through his involvement with the YMCA and in supporting the establishment of the Pilot City Trust in the early 1980s.
I often thought of Pat as a bit like that toothbrush they used to advertise “getting into those hard to reach places”. Pat has through years of tireless effort and time spent, managed to establish trusting relationships with people from all walks of life – whether they be patched gang members, whanau of prison inmates, young rangatahi, victims of domestic violence or abuse, local politicians, members of the business community, or whatever. He is able to draw on an immense and deep connection with a uniquely wide range of Napier communities going right back through his days of involvement with Hawke’s Bay rugby and in his drapery and carpet retail business days.
Quite simply, in my view, Pat is a living legend or phenomenon. He has a stamina and resolve which has no equal. He is indefatigable. It has been a true blessing to come to know Pat and I have learnt a great deal from him. I can never pin him down and nor should you try. I often felt that Pat talked in riddles or as I would sometimes put it “figure 8s”, lurching from point to point, idea to idea, but within the narrative always a gem and an essential truth revealed.
Pat has lived and walked a very long life and continues to walk long distances to promote the mental health and wellbeing of youth at risk to this day. I believe Pat’s contribution to Napier and his ethic is founded in the loving and spiritually strong household that he grew up in, known as Repokite to his family and which I am now so fortunate to occupy.
Go well Pat, you’re a legend.
A MOTH TO THE LIGHT OF INJUSTICE
MARK CLEARY, SPOKESPERSON, NAPIER PILOT CITY TRUST
It’ll come as no surprise that Pat Magill has his own folder on my computer! As you all know he writes lots of emails and they need more than one reading. Pat is an early adopter of technology and is the master of the email especially the bcc: you never know where the email addressed to you from Pat, is going.
I have known Pat for as long as I have lived in Napier which goes back 41 years. our first meeting was when we needed a carpet on the attic stairs. I was playing for Napier High School Old Boys’ and he was the go-to carpet man. He did a great job, but there was no bill, despite plenty of requests. It was too small a job to worry about he said, and he enjoyed working on an old house on the hill!
That’s not to say he’s an easy touch … he’s a canny negotiator as was attested by the way he negotiated a very generous $10 lunch from the Hawke’s Bay Club at the 2019 Unity Day. When we were organising this year’s Unity Dinner at the RSA, the Restaurant Manager gave us a meal price with the proviso that ‘Pat Magill is not to come calling and ask for a reduction!’
I started to get to know Pat better when I started at Colenso High School in 1991. The Pub With No Beer and the Y were Colenso’s neighbours and I quickly recognised that Pat and the Napier Pilot City Trust were strongly embedded in the local community. Pat knows where the needs are and is welcome everywhere. There is mutual respect.
What is remarkable about Pat is that he is the very model of what the social scientists see as change agents. He understands the central need to respect, support and empower the individual rather than to rescue. Too many activists preach, know what is best and remain completely out of touch. Pat remains grounded, connected to his community and his people.
Pat operates on the kanohi ki te kanohi level; he’s face-to-face, whether this is sitting chatting to rangatahi in the Napier District Court foyer on a Wednesday morning, outside the Pieman in the Maraenui shops, the Westshore Pub or the RSA. His strong interpersonal and empathetic skills have given him an extraordinary and sharp insight into issues of equity and justice.
What makes him remarkable is that he calls out injustice whenever he sees it without fear or favour. His commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi drives so much of what he does. This speaks volumes of his ability to understand our history and the need for us all to know it if we are to heal as a nation. He has fearlessly championed the needs for all New Zealanders to know and understand the Treaty and I, like hundreds of others in Napier were persuaded by Pat to attend Robert Considine’s Treaty workshops.
Pat continues with this advocacy with increased passion and enthusiasm. He is one of Andrew Judd’s (the former New Plymouth mayor and self-described reforming racist) fieriest [fiercist] supporters in Andrew’s quest to remove racist legislation that is aimed only at the tangata whenua.
Pat is a moth to the light of injustice; strong and proud and always ready to show his support in his mild, peaceful and determined way.
This was clearly illustrated last year as the Ihumātao occupation kicked off. Pat mentioned that he was heading off to join and show support for the SOUL protestors … there’s no stopping this man and aren’t we lucky to have him.
A PERSISTENT, UNWAVERING HOPE FOR THE FUTURE
BY ALWYN CORBAN
You are a good man, Pat, a very good man with a good compass and enviable vitality.
What’s more, you are living proof that Napier is a city not too big to learn about itself.
Whether by design or coincidence you have embraced this notion put forward by your friend Dr John Robson in the 1980s. However, I suspect you made it your business to know about Napier and know the people of your community long before.
You knock on doors. You are a tireless networker and relationship builder, and you do this across many divides. I am sure you could knock on any door in Napier and be a welcomed guest. You are an example to us all, working one on one, listening to people and making small gestures of kindness.
I met you 45 years ago, when I was a youth about to marry Mary-Anne, and it has been my good fortune that our relationship has seamlessly journeyed through the years as a son in law, family friend and ultimately dear friend. It has always been authentic, marked by respect and transparency. I do enjoy our “wee chats over a glass of wine” and you do have a way of “getting the sunlight in!”
You were younger than your generation, not in age but in attitude. The 1970s kaupapa of the Values Party sat comfortably with your environmental and social activist leanings. I heard stories of your term as President of the Hawke’s Bay Rugby Union during the Ranfurly Shield era and was a customer, or was it beneficiary, during the last years of your carpet business.
You were an active member of the Forest and Bird Society and President of YMCA New Zealand. The Downtown Y and Michael’s Place (The Pub With No Beer) were a focus as they successfully trialled alternative venues for Napier youth to socialise safely. As a founding trustee of the Hawke’s Bay Community College, you were a proud and strong advocate of the non-vocational education it provided, and in the 1980s, as a founding trustee, you embraced the mandate of the Napier Pilot City Trust to pilot innovative social justice projects.
Your tenacity has kept that flame alive and today it is greatly rewarding to be a fellow Trustee with you and to see its rekindling over the last few years.
I always enjoyed Magill family times. they were fun and eagerly anticipated. “Family night” at 3 Whakarire Ave was
Above: Alwyn and Pat nearly 45 years ago; more recently, great mates on the same page at a wine and cheese board meeting. Alwyn is now Pilot City Trust treasurer.
a Thursday tradition. Cath’s time-honoured roast dinner was kept warm in the bain marie, we invariably drank too much wine and finished the evening playing cards, always many hands of 500. Often in weekends we would go to the back at Puketitiri to spend time re-establishing the native bush and make a side trip to fish, swim and picnic at the Mohaka river or tramp to Te Puia Springs for a “hot dip”.
There was no generation gap. You make people feel special, and you have always given me more credit than I felt was due. I sense I am not alone in that. It wasn’t until I read Irish in the Blood, the family history written by your sister Marie Gray, that I started to think how your early life, the principles of the Plymouth Brethren and the example of your father’s acts of kindness could have shaped your relentless social conscience.
This was reinforced when I read your Dad’s Robert Magill’s tribute in the Daily Telegraph 19 November 1957 which included:
“Mr (Robert) Magill throughout his long life in the city was always ready to assist, in tangible ways, those in need. His cheery personality and generosity stemmed from a strong character, and were well known in the wards of the Napier Public Hospital, the Napier goal, and the old peoples’ homes, where he was a regular and popular visitor.
“Mr Magill had a notable capacity for making friends and, although ranked among Napier’s elder citizens, he was well known and popular with the youth of the city.”
Pat, you are an inspiration. Your persistence and unwavering hope for the future and your encouragement for us all to make it better does not fall on deaf ears. You have been patient, and we still have time. As the good book says: “A thousand years is but a day to the Lord”.
He hoa pūmau koe, he Rangatira anō hoki.
Nga mihi nui,
Ahuriri; Kia Haka! Kia Toa! Kia Manawanui!
Top marks Pat for your commitment to the Pilot City Trust, for gathering people around you who believe in its Kaupapa, to those who have gone before and supported you in your quest for a kinder, fairer city; and to the future foot soldiers you will get on board to share your vision and mahi hard. You make Napier a better place. Kia kaha, Pat.
TE ARAROA OFFERS HOPE – TAKING THE HIKOI ALONG AOTEAROA’S LONG TRAIL
Caging our youth is an expensive failure. Instead of imprisoning youth who aren’t bad but simply aren’t coping, why not take them out on the trail?”
Pat’s always been on the go, hyperactive some said. As a kid, zooming over the hill, finding larks, feasting on being in the great outdoors. So as an adult, its not surprising he would forge on with fun, friendship, fitness and the environment guiding and inspiring him.
He relishes connecting with nature, appreciating the treasure – the toanga [taonga] that it is, and what it gives us. Ask him his religion and he’ll say, “Nature is my god”. So he puts the two together, environment and exercise, and finds something magical every time and anywhere he hits the trail.
As a gregarious ultra-enthusiast, of course, he takes as many people as he can along for the glorious ride. He’s done it for years. Share the magic, have some time out, take a deep breath, and in a small leaf of the forest floor you might just see and feel a bigger, better world with endless possibilities.
Te Araroa, New Zealand’s Trail, stretching end to end 3000kms from Cape Reinga to Bluff covers a mixture of existing and new tracks, walkways and link sections alongside roads. It fires up plenty of people’s excitement levels and determination to tackle a challenge, with Aotearoa’s stunning landscapes their constant companion.
Pat sees more opportunities for Te Araroa, past that of the tourism trade and those who notch up physical challenges as trophies.
He wants to see this magnificent asset as an alternative outward bound, as nature’s classroom, a trail for healing and rehab, where time spent anywhere along its pathway inspires opportunities and has lifelong, positive impacts. When Minnie Ratima first hit the trail up north, she too saw its potential and after they had completed the first section she’d caught the bug. She wanted to do more and that’s how the idea grew to start a trust, an ideal, a dream, a challenge, to walk from Cape Reinga to Bluff, when time and money allowed.
Above and opposite: Cape Reinga. Photos Andrew Bernhardt/Will Li.
ALL INVOLVED WILL REMEMBER THIS FOREVER BY
TIM MAGILL
Here we are, on January 13, 2014 at the lighthouse. Cape Reinga – Te Rerenga Wairua and Te Oneroa-a-Tōhe, and The Long Beach of Tōhe, Ninety Mile Beach. This was named by Tōhe, a Ngati Kahu chief who lived in Kapowairua, Piwhane – Spirits Bay, east of Cape Reinga. Travelling south to visit his daughter he named many places along Oneroa-a-Tōhe, names that remain today, places that we’ll pass on the way.
I’m part of the support crew for Te Araroa Offers Hope (TAOH) hikoi, inspired by Pat Magill and Minnie Ratima, to walk the special, northern most section of Te Awaroa [Araroa], The Long Walk. The kaupapa for the hikoi: Te Araroa as an accessible Outward Bound, a new way forward.
Pat is 90ish now, so what has brought us to this adventure? Pat is my father. A clue as to why we find ourselves here, is that for us kids growing up at Westshore, walking was big for us. We all walked the Milford Track in 1967 and White Pine Bush was a nice walk before that, where I’m sure, partly as a Pat-inspired project, we were helping prison inmates cut a track that remains today at the top of Esk Valley.
Going back further we walked and ‘mooched’ on Sundays to the trawlers moored at Ahuriri, sometimes further too, and on board ships docked at the big port. Nice. A YMCA Napier to Hastings ‘walkabout’ fundraiser followed. At least two of these were in his sights and were widely supported and a bit imaginative as I recall. Going even further back, Pat’s mother Jessie loved walking too. Jessie was fit, lithe and full of energy – sound familiar?
Time to get serious. Next came the five day Taupo to Napier extravaganza as a YMCA Walkabout Fundraiser. As always, a good cause, a lot of fun … slash mayhem … slash aroha. Keywords: Dirty Dozen, a group of rugby fellas as the caterers; Ena Sharples talking by phone to my sister Jes at the event’s send off at the Municipal Theatre and Kelvin Tremain speaking with Albert Tatlock. Novel.
Lesser walks between include Waimarama to Cape
CAPE REINGA TO AHIPARA – 13th – 18th January 2014. “1st Stage to Bluff” Image above: Te Araroa Offers Hope Hikoi – 1st stage to Bluff! Back Row: Bernie Te Ringa, Jo Magill, Travis Magill, Jerri Magill, Pat Magill, Minnie Ratima, Rupene Murray (Ngataki), Beulah Murray, Maraea Barlow, Front Row: Tangiareta Wilson, Sonny Nathan, Puawai Te Iringa, Cortez Te Ringa, Tim Magill.
136 Napier Pilot City Trust – for a kinder, fairer city
Kidnappers with some Parkers and Magill’s. Then around Lake Waikaremoana with Mum’s rellies the O’Donnell’s, a part of the wonderful madness. We have to say our Mum, Catherine, was up for all of this, in as much as she was herself adventurous and that she supported Pat.
So why not have another walk and highlight how a positive and simple activity can offer hope to those who need it, or those who never had the chance for an adventure. ‘Te Araroa Offers Hope’ was on our tee shirts. The main walkers were Pat, who walked most of the 88km long Ninety Mile Beach. Minnie, Pat’s good social working partner from Maraenui, Jo Magill, Jerri and Travis Magill, our whanau, fit and keen. Me, Tim with helpers Bernie, Puawai and Cortez. Some more whanau/friends/freedom walkers wanted to join the fun so Tangiareta, Sonny, Briney and his two nieces joined the hikoi too. Jo Magill was real keen to get to Bluff eventually – this was her start – and by the end of the trip more on the team including Minnie were keen to do that too. Walking the entire trail as time allowed was in their sights.
DAY 1:
A photo and special kick off at the amazing Cape Reinga Lighthouse. The walkers set out towards Ninety Mile Beach and us supporters took the road back south, hit the beach via a stream and drove back north to Scott’s Landing to make camp. The Hiace van became the “Mothership”. Carrying gear, kitchen/dining area. By the time the walkers came down the huge cliff via steps, we had base camp ready. They were buzzing, talking the walk, a swim, meal and moi at this abrupt top of Ninety Mile Beach and plenty of beach ahead.
DAY 2:
A great day dawns, surf pounding while we breaky and see walkers trickle out in groups of twos and threes. After Mothership crew break camp, we cruise the beach passing the legendary gang and set up camp at The Bluff. Surf, bigger and better amenities, a long drop even. Again walkers trickle in – ones and twos now as it happens. They think better alone?
Thinking of the plusses one can experience on a good walk: Time to Think, Solve, Bond, Gain Hope, Enjoy Nature, Get Fit, Think Fit, etc. Pat and Minnie are also using any attention which this hikoi raises to advance their suggestions for a better, fairer society. Anyway it seems to be going well and although they’re buggered tonight, all are happy, and hungry.
DAY 3:
Pat has walked both days but on the third he opts to join the support crew and although locals said with the tide half out we would be fine driving the beach, we got smashed by some big waves right through our Mothership. Towed out an hour later, we gave refreshments to the walkers on their way to camp 3 at Utea. Choices of two commercial camps tell us we are re-joining civilisation. This night was relaxed as all are a bit fitter and in the groove plus the next day to Waipapakauri is the last full day (around 20km). Pat has since made good friends with Utea Camp owners as he promotes this trail and researches accommodation options for further hikoi. Always more, on, on.
DAY 4:
Still good hot weather so it’s up early, breaky and hit the trail before it’s too hot. Us, the support crew are enjoying the experience as spectators. We see walkers in an almost desert-like situation; desolate and vast, whether driving or walking, this part of Te Araroa is so unique. Tonight we are in a proper motor camp with trappings of society. A small stroll tomorrow and its over for this section and this group, for now.
DAY 5:
Pat has Hone Harawera [Harawira] interested in TAOH so Hone walks with us on this last leg. As does Jim Morunga, another legendary Napier crusader who with Pat over the years has tried plenty of tricks to assist with equality. I think Hone thought we were going to march as protest-style walkers, rabble rousers maybe, instead of cruising at our own pace with our own thoughts. This walk to Ahipara Motor Camp was so short the walkers beat our Mothership to the camp. Whew! Lovely to have made it and rest together … a bonded team for sure.
Writing this brings back a special time. Some of us have travelled further afield yet this impresses us all on so many levels. I think all involved will remember it forever. Well done Pat.
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Clockwise from top left: Lois Naera and whanau near Utea Park; Honourable Kelvin Davis, now Minister of Corrections and Rupene Mare from Ngataki; these signs were a pleasing sight along the way; finally, Ahipara and the first segment of Te Araroa Trail is completed; Huge achievement for wahine toa Jeri Magill, Minnie Ratima and Jo Magill with koro Pat; The celebratory, proud group shot; Pat loved Utea Park and could see its potential as a haven for TASOH hikoi.
PAT MAGILL – HE WHAKATAUKI
In the context of healing future generations this Whakatauki reminds me of Pat: Hapaitia Te ara tika pumau ai te Rangatiratanga mo nga uri Whakatipu – Foster the pathway of knowledge to strength, independence and growth for future generations.
My name is Lois Naera and I met Pat around 2012. I was working for Pillars Incorporated at the time, an organisation that has worked for over 30 years with children and whanau of prisoners.
I’ve been a social worker for almost 40 years now and I use that knowledge to lecture at the Manukau Institute of Technology, shaping our future social work practitioners – a job I love, next to working with whanau.
In 2012 I received an email from our Pillars Christchurch office to say that there was a group of people coming to Auckland with some children to a whanau day at the Wiri Women’s Prison. I didn’t know whether the email was meant for me and sent it back to Christchurch as it didn’t say a lot aside of the fact they were needing somewhere to stay in Auckland and did Pillars provide accommodation.
The email went to and fro and eventually I figured I would call the person who had sent the email, Berta Ratima. Berta was bringing a small group of children to Auckland to visit their mothers in prison. Although Pillars doesn’t provide accommodation for children or whanau visiting their parents in prison, I felt empathetic for their cause and decided to find accommodation for these people outside my work for Pillars.
My mokopuna attended a local kohanga reo at the time and I made enquiries as to whether we could use their small facility to host the visitors from Maraenui. Tahuri mai kohanga at the time had a small prefab building with a small kitchen but enough space to place mattresses down to sleep. No showering facilities but the local swimming pool was straight across the road which could be utilised for showering the children and whanau.
My husband and I decided that we would host them over the weekend. When they arrived on Friday night we settled them in and left them to their own devices as we lived very close and would check in with them in the morning. The group had already set an agenda for the weekend so we just spent the evenings with them.
This was our first encounter of meeting Mr Pat Magill. It was a strange sight at the time because here was this pakeha kaumatua with a group of Maori and I was curious to know his connection to them. We spent the evenings of their visit getting to know the whanau and Pat’s connection. This was the beginning of a journey of friendship that would go further than we both anticipated.
I soon found out that Pat was passionate about the Te Araroa Trail and how this could be healing journey for all; more importantly those affected by incarceration or injustices. Pat was an avid social justice man, something also close to my heart.
With a group of people from Maraenui, Pat was planning to walk the first journey of the Te Araroa Trail from Te Rerenga Wairua to Ahipara. I told Pat that the iwi in the far north were my whanau and Pat said he would like a kaumatua to do their karakia for them before they began their journey. I then connected Pat to my father
Image above: Pat visits Lois Naera and the team for the official opening of the Pillars Manukau office, speaks with Pillars volunteers, and participates in the annual ‘Children of Prisoners’ event.
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WHANGANUI TRIBES
“The great tribes of Whanganui take their name, their spirit and their strength from the great river which flows from the mountains of the central North Island to the sea. For centuries the people have travelled the Whanganui River by canoe, caught eels in it, built villages on its banks, and fought over it. The people say, ‘Ko au te awa, Ko te awa ko au’ – I am the river. The river is me’. David Youn
Rupene Mare who Pat met prior to the group’s walk. Pat and my father have remained firm friends. The rest is a story for Pat to tell …
Pat soon became interested in my work and was invited to an official opening of the Pillars Manukau office and the following year while on a journey through Auckland came to speak to Pillars volunteers and to participate in an annual event for ‘Children of Prisoners’.
In 2015 our whanau decided to walk the first leg of the Te Araroa Trail with invitations sent out to the local iwi, whanau and friends. The walk was broken down into five days with an average of 20k to be walked a day. The walk eventually consisted of only four generations of our whanau and on the final walk community, whanau and friends walked the last leg with us. Pat with a friend travelled up to walk the final leg with us; one of many memories we ass a whanau will never forget.
My husband and I travelled to Napier at Pat’s request to talk about the work that we do, as my husband works for PARS Incorporated as a navigator, working alongside men and women who are coming out of prison and deportees. I have also joined with Pat as he, Minnie and a small group walked with Ian Upton from Petone to Wellington Parliament House.
Pat is a Rangatira in his own right. He has become a loved member of our whanau and is admired for his passion and audacity to continue to fight for injustice for all at his age. This is a legacy that we will always remember him for, amidst other traits. He is humble, caring, giving, loyal, stubborn, and will travel to the ends of the earth to fight for causes he believes in.
Nga manaakitanga,
Lois Naera
TAKE ME TO THE RIVER
In May 2018, Minnie, Pat and the staunch tight four TAOH team, Tanyon, Jake, Bronson and Kaivah, head to Taumaranui [Taumarunui] and the Whanganui River, another stunning section of the trail, that traverses from the mountains to the sea, via the mighty waterway. The history and mystery of the area made such an impact on everyone, especially Minnie, they all promised to come back and experience the river fully when time and budget allow.
Visiting Puraroto Camp Ground further down the river and just north of Jerusalem was definitely on their wish list. Originally from Maraenui and a former Mongrel Mob member, Jay Cripps established the camp three years ago. Linking up with other tourist providers along the river, he hosts individuals and groups travelling the trail and others exploring the area. Jay has a great set up offering plenty of activities for living in nature and adjusting to the river’s rhythm and on the land, including how to put down a proper hangi.
Top two pics, the Puraroto Camp Ground near Jerusalem/Hiruhirama where Jay Cripps formerly of Napier, is host; Jerusalem, home to Sister Mary Aubert and James K Baxter many years ago.
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HITTING THE ROAD
While the team didn’t spend much time on the river they did plenty of walking, along the Whanganui River Road, and following the trail from Bulls to Woodville, where they discovered great spirit and aroha on the way. The community came out and greeted them, fully supported them and various people joined them on their journey. Memorably this included iwi, police Vinnie Heihei, who now fully supports TAOH and Ahuriri Pilot City Trust kaupapa – Build Communities not Prisons.
Walking the Whanganui riverside are (from left) Vinnie Heihei, Pat Magill, Tanyon Ratima, Jake Carr, Bronson Rehutai, Kaivah Cooper and Minnie Ratima. Photo courtesy NZME.
Images above: Minnie and a tight team support Ian Upton on his peace hikoi from Petone to Parliament House, Wellington; Pat and Minnie at Okato – they do get around; TSOH get great media coverage national and the then local MP Marama Davidson joins the hikoi for the day.
JO MAGILL INSPIRES TAOH
Jo embraced Pat’s notion of using Aotearoa’s long trail for more than just achieving personal physical fitness goals. She too saw broader benefits of the trail as an affordable Outward Bound.
To celebrate his 89th birthday in September 2015, Pat hit the trail again, taking the Te Araroa Offers Hope (TAOH) hikoi through Auckland. This is the most urban sector of the trail, covering 60kms and Jo was right there alongside him.
Following the inaugural TAOH adventure the year before, Jo took the challenge of walking the entire Te Araroa trail seriously. She’d slowly worked her way down the North Island in sections when time and circumstance allowed, and by September 2015 she’s walked the entire stretch from Cape Reinga to Auckland, mostly on her own. Over time she reached as far as Wellington and hopes to complete the entire length of Te Araroa in the near future.
She has great memories of TAOH adventures with Pat. “Often we were ‘winging it’ which is unusual for me because I’m quite organised. I always researched where we were going, what to expect et22c, but no amount of research can prepare you for what you’ll actually find out there. Encountering surprises, dilemmas and occurrences that you’d never expect but you have to deal and cope with – that’s the excitement and the challenge.”
As the pair covered the kilometres together Jo was always astounded at Pat’s stamina. She couldn’t figure out where it came from. “He had stamina with his vision too, nothing could deter him from his vision. Any setbacks along the way, he would just rise above them and carry on. We shared a lot of comradeship along the way and these were special times.”
Images above: Pat and Jo have fun on the trail. It was hearing about his daughter-in-law Jo Magill’s trip to Spain in 2013 to walk the El Camino Trail that first inspired Pat to tap into the potential of the Te Araroa Trail. New Zealand’s stunning 3000km trek through Aotearoa’s stunning landscapes would be ideal for the long walks that Pat loves so much, to give youth who wouldn’t normally get the chance to experience nature, an opportunity to embrace new experiences.
WHAT IS THE CHILD FRIENDLY CITIES INITIATIVE?
A global movement that brings together UNICEF, local authorities, civil society, business and other local stakeholders in creating child-friendly cities and communities.
A programme that strengthens social inclusion by urging cities and communities to prioritize the most vulnerable. The CFCI helps to ensure no child is invisible.
A promoter of child and youth participation. Participation is not only a right of every child, but listening to children and young people ensures that policies and services are child-responsive. The initiative promotes their engagement at all stages of local development.
A change of priorities in all local decision making. By joining the initiative, local authorities recognize the importance of investing in the well-being and interests of children and young people.
GOALS AND RESULTS
The Child Friendly Cities Initiative provides a governance framework for building child-friendly cities and communities.
The five goal areas below form the basis of this work. Under these goal areas, cities and communities can choose the areas to focus on, based on the needs and priorities of local children and young people.
The right to be valued, respected and treated fairly.
The right to be heard.
The right to essential services*
The right to be safe.
The right to family time, play and leisure.
* This includes healthcare, education, nutrition support, early childhood development and education, justice and family support.
CHILD FRIENDLY CITIES PROJECT
BY MARK CLEARY, PILOT CITY TRUST CHAIR
Once Pat became aware of the UNICEF Child Friendly Initiative he was in boots and all, recognising that Napier was the ideal place to adopt this. The Child Friendly Cities Initiative (CFCI) is a UNICEF-led initiative (launched in 1996) that supports municipal government in realizing the rights of children at the local level using the UN Convention on the Rights of the child as its foundation.
Pat immediately got hold of the local head of the Ministry of Education Roy Sye, a former school principal and Napier City Councillor and gained his support to get Napier to become part of the Child Friendly City Initiative. Roy suggested that Pat visit all the local schools and gain their support.
Within weeks Pat had visited all the Napier schools and received verbal support and interest from each for the Initiative.
In 2019 The Napier Pilot City Trust decided that it would make the goal of Napier as a Child Friendly City a key part of its vision of a kinder and fairer Napier and held the first Napier Pilot City Trust Child Friendly Forum. This was successful, and the even was repeated in 2020.
The 2019 forum deliberately aligned international (UNICEF Child Friendly Initiative), national (Child and Youth Wellbeing Strategy) and regional (Matariki Hawke’s Bay Regional Economic Development Strategy) actions to demonstrate that Napier as a Child Friendly City was logical and had support at all levels. At the 2019 forum, newly elected mayor Kirsten Wise gave her strong support for the initiative and announced that Councillor Richard McGrath would hold a special Child Friendly portfolio. Pat’s vision appeared to be coming closer.
The 2019 forum allowed tamariki from Maraenui Bilingual School to share their thoughts with participants; their message was powerful and demonstrated clearly that the voice of our children must be central to any strategy or initiative. This resulted in the focus of the 2020 forum being on the voice of tamariki and we were thrilled that four other schools participated and shared their powerful messages. The Tamatea Intermediate School group were subsequently asked to share their presentation and video to a full Napier City Council meeting the next month.
While at the time of writing Napier City hasn’t adopted the Child Friendly City Initiative, they are active in supporting the regionalisation of the Government Child and Youth Wellbeing Strategy and are very keen that Napier develops its own unique Child Friendly Strategy. The Trust is very keen to work alongside the Council with this.
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MARAENUI SCHOOL MAKES POWERFUL PLEA
The presentation from a group of Tamariki from Maraenui Bilingual School created for the Pilot City Trust forum in 2019, made for a very powerful series of events. Called Napier – A Child Friendly City, this document was a heartfelt please from some of Ahuriri’s young citizens to live in a kinder, fairer place and for gangs to call a truce. This document has been reprinted here.
NAPIER – A CHILD FRIENDLY CITY
MARAENUI MANA, MARAENUI PRIDE, MARAENUI HARD
OUR YOUNG PEOPLE
SAY adults DO NOT LISTEN
They are not being heard
They see what’s happening, and are the essence to the solutions of their own needs
Ko ahau Te Putake o Te Ao
Ko Ahau Rangatira mo apopo
He Taonga Ahau
STOP ALCOHOL, VIOLENCE, FIGHTING, DRAMA AND DRUGS!
Gangs should have a peace treaty, so we can feel safe, so we can have a better life.
MAYBE WE NEED
Our shops need to stop selling alcohol and smokes
Our young people and parents’ generation have employment and hands-on learning opportunities
Education on alcohol, drugs, health and safety awareness and prevention as well as everyday skills for a healthy lifestyle
IF KIDS CAN IN Schools FAMILIES CAN in Homes
HOMELESS – POVERTY
ECO-FRIENDLY APARTMENTS
That people who are not well and are mamae have the proper support and help they need
People with drug and alcohol addiction go to rehab
They live in a rehab environment
No drugs or alcohol
Families CAN
Limiting our young people to reach their full potential is like closing them in a box and in that box they will remain.
WHAT DO OUR YOUNG PEOPLE WANT?
More basketball hoops
Full sized basketball court
A clean neighbourhood
Stop littering and start recycling around the community
Upgrade our parks
Where’s our splash pad?
Our skate strip leads out onto a main road
Adding new play equipment each year
A mini van and a community bus, shared between the local kura, sports club, church, kohanga reo, childcare centres and community events
A teacher aide at our Maraenui kura is taking out young people as a class and the cost to hire a bus is $1500 at least. This year our kura didn’t book the bus for our hapa haka festival held at Te Kura Kaupapa ki Heretaunga. We were lucky that we have a good network with supportive kura in our area. Aroha mai, Aroha tu.
Many of our young people from Maraenui are elite athletes, nurtured by not only school involvement in sports but also Maraenui Rigby and Sports Association, producing Hawke’s Bay representatives in rugby, girls rugby, girls rugby league, touch rugby, and of course basketball.
Our young people need transport! And, consistent committed qualified driver/carers to get them to their training and games.
WE NEED TO CLEAN OUR GREENBELT & WATERWAYS
The green belt could be a beautiful pathway for our community to walk or run around and admire, but alas that is not the beauty of it. It’s polluted, paru, and has rubbish amongst the overgrown native plants and buses. Still in the paru waters the ducks paddle around looking strangely small and sick.
Murals, art, and Maori art would be ideal along the corrugated iron fences, brightening up our walkways and our community.
If our walkways and waterways were clean, cared for and maintained maybe we could get those exercise stations, similar to the ones by the aquarium and along Marine Parade.
CCTV cameras would make our community feel safe.
Our young people want to be actively involved with the community and school gardens/mara-kai and being educated on planting, with hands-on learning and giving back to the community.
YOUNG PEOPLE
Love kapa haka
Love being Maori
Love sports
Love to dance
Love to have fun
Love to learn
Love to belong
Love to be loved
TOURISM
We are keen for tourism employment opportunities for our young people. Kapa Haka and Hangi to perform and host/cater and feed visitors from overseas ships. Making kete by your young people for our young people. To include our pakeke and family members that are passionate about kapa haka and love to serve others. This will give our young people the chance to productively represent themselves, their family, their community, their city and their iwi.
RECREATION AND EDUCATION YOUTH CENTRE
Our young people need a place to go to
Somewhere safe
Somewhere fun
Somewhere where we are not judged
Somewhere without alcohol, drugs or gang influence
Somewhere that is ours and for us
We need to have a recreation and educational centre like William Colenso College and Flaxmere’s Flax Rock, with indoor basketball courts, darts and a classroom space. A music studio – where young people can produce their own music. A dance studio, a stage for performers, musicians and kapa haka. A place where the young people can have dance parties and formal events and be able to cater for educational workshops and wananga. A well resourced centre, managed and staff by people who are passionate about young people and what they are teaching and sharing, to become the best individuals they can be in today’s society.
MARAENUI BILINGUAL SCHOOL – TRAILBLAZER
Maraenui Bilingual School has a long and proud history. It was established 63 years ago and 33 years ago became the first bilingual school in Aotearoa. Principal Christopher Worsley says the school had huge foresight to focus on retaining Te Reo.
There are two streams, or whānau, at the school, the Rūmaki whānau which is total immersion with five classes available, and the bilingual whānau which runs four classes. According to Christopher, Te Reo hold the key to New Zealanders coming to value biculturalism, and the indigenous culture of Aotearoa.
Clockwise from top left: Principal Christopher Worsley shares a special moment with a Tamariki; keen and ready to learn; planting day; Scary water slide; Art Deco celebration time; building strength and resilience; and all lined up for swimming sports. Opposite; Reverend Matiu Eru, with Black Power spokesperson Denis O’Reilly and Pat, discussing peace with the gangs; Matiu and Pat before presenting a plea from Tamariki at Maraenui Bilingual School asking for peace between gangs and a better life.
TWO OLD MATES IMPLORE THE GANGS
It sounds like the beginning of a joke: two old mates, social justice campaigners from way back, rock up to the Mongrel Mob gang pad in Maraenui last summer. They’re emissaries; one carries a document in his hand, a plea from kids at a nearby school, a school that some of these gang members’ tamariki attend. But this is no joke. The kids, among other requests, ask for a truce between the warring gangs in the rohe, Mongrel Mob and Black Power.
That same night Mati Eru and Pat Magill, brothers under the skin, also met up with lifetime Black Power member Denis O’Reilly and presented the same document. Pat and Mati said there was good will on both sides but the community probably doesn’t feel those good vibes. Over a year down the track there’s still a lot of work to be done in striking an accord. “A peace treaty is needed because children have the right to feel safe and enjoy a better life”, the emissaries said on the night and that’s still the case.
As was covered in the previous chapter, there is good stuff happening too and the ripples are spreading creating plenty of positives to help build a better future.
TRUST’S RECOMMENDATIONS FOR A CHILD FRIENDLY CITY
At the conclusion of the Napier Pilot City Trust’s second Child Friendly Forum in November 2020 – the trust made the following recommendations:
NAPIER PILOT CITY TRUST RECOMMENDATIONS:
That the Napier Community develops a Child Friendly Strategy.
That the Vision of a Child Friendly City in Napier is formed by the voices of rangatahi and Tamariki of Napier, especially those who are currently affected by inequality and social exclusion.
That the vision is shared widely with the community who will participate in the creation of a Child Friendly Strategy based on the Vision.
That the strategy aligns with the city’s Vision and Mission, the Child, Youth Wellbeing Strategy and Matariki Regional Development Plan.
That the Napier Pilot City Trust partner with Te Taiwhenua o Te Whanganui ā Orotū to manage and support the development and implement the Strategy.
That the partners undertake a stakeholder map to identify key participants in the development and ratification of the strategy.
That a steering committee be made up of Central and Government leaders be convened to provide high level governance of the project. (This group would meet no more than three times a year)
That early in 2021 a workshop with rangatahi and tamariki who have presented at either the 2019 or 2020 Forums be held to begin the process of shaping a vision and to create a school starter kit.
FOUR COOL CHILD FRIENDLY SCHOOLS
The artwork that accompanies Neil Cleaver’s korero is from a book titled Listening to Voices in Four Hawke’s Bay Schools. Written by Roger McNeill and Kerry Kitione, this special publication shows inclusion and transformative values in action in a cultural context and shows how four schools in different and exciting ways developed caring connected communities, ensuring everyone is treated with respect and compassion and exclusions are rarely used. The schools involved were Flaxmere Primary School, Camberley School, Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Te Ara Hou – Poupou of Tamatea Arikinui, Rongokako and Te Awhiorangi, and St John’s College.
MINISTRY REFLECTS DYSFUNCTION
BY NEIL CLEAVER
A LOOK BACK AT SOCIAL WELFARE SERVICES IN NEW ZEALAND
After 10 years working as a teacher, Neil Cleaver made the switch to social work while living in Northland. This career switch lasted 41 years with Oranga Tamariki and its forerunners. Throughout, he contributed to front line social work, staff training, residential social work, management, quality evaluation and policy advice.
Not surprisingly Neil has an encyclopaedic knowledge and understanding of the Ministry – of its highs, lows and challenges. “It’s a tough gig”, he says at the end of this story but his determination to affect positive change was strong and steadfast for the decades he worked there.
The release of a report in 1988, Puao-te-Ata-tu, which looked into racism in New Zealand, and especially within the Department of Social Welfare, found that the state system was failing the tangata whenua. The vision of Puao-te-Ata-tu was for Maori to care for Maori whenever possible. From that time, Neil was committed to see this vision realised in every facet of the Ministry he was involved with. This is an honest look at a tough topic.
IN THE BEGINNING
I was born and brought up in New Plymouth and after leaving school I went to Palmerston North Teacher’s College and followed that up with ten years of teaching in South Auckland, Kaitaia and various schools in Taranaki.
While in Kaitaia I was a family home foster parent for a short time which was my first introduction to the Department of Social Welfare which would in some way be my employer for the next 44 years.
I started as a social worker in 1977. In those days we worked “patches” and mine consisted of a triangle with corner end points at Midhurst, Eltham and Whangamomona.
Artwork above by Herewini Nicholson, Camberley School.
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What Camberley Pupils Care About
The bulk of the work involved visiting children in their foster homes and recruiting and supporting foster parents. There was very little engagement with the natural parents apart from holiday arrangements if and when deemed appropriate.
Nearly all children were removed from their families and placed with state approved foster parents, or in one of the many institutions (homes) run by the state. There was no legal requirement to seek out family placements or maintain children’s links with their families.
Handling adoptions was a significant part of my caseload, I also oversaw the young who were placed on Supervision Orders as a result of their offending.
There were very few of what we would now call reports of concern to follow up on. Much of what we call care and protection was managed by liaising on a daily basis with others who had regular contact with children and families. These were people such as teachers, Plunket & Public Health nurses, local constables and Department of Maori Affairs workers.
Of course it has to be acknowledged that the use of physical discipline was common in the home and at school and only the worst cases would meet the threshold for statutory intervention. Sexual abuse was unheard of although it no doubt happened and went unreported. There was a legal obligation on parents to provide care for their children and also have them under control. Often it was the failure of the latter that led to children coming into care.
Children came into care through an order of the Children’s Court and that order stayed in place until they reached the age of 21. Children could be discharged before that age at the discretion of the Director General of Social Welfare (in practice a social worker).
Although I can’t provide any hard data, my recollection is that the vast majority of the children in care were pakeha placed with pakeha foster parents. Maori children who were in care were also placed with pakeha care givers or in state run institutions. The only interaction with Maori was through the Department of Maori
Artwork by Juanita Apu, Camberley School.
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Affairs, there was no working with iwi or other Maori based organisation.
Although to some of us 1977 doesn’t seem that far away, the world was a very different place and was about to change even faster and more radically than we could ever have dreamt of. There was full employment, gangs were both small and their numbers had relatively little influence. The scourge of “P” was well into the future and we were yet to experience the upside and downside of the internet. The new religion of seeking happiness and fulfilment from material possessions and entitlement to overseas holidays had yet to become the mainstream belief system.
Yet in 1977 the welfare system was past its use by date. In essence it was still based in the 1925 Child Welfare Act. In 1989 all this was about to change.
THE WINDS OF CHANGE
In the early 1980s I was working at Kohitere in Levin, a residence that looked after boys aged 14-17 who had been made wards of the state due to their offending. By that stage the percentage of Maori residents had grown quite significantly. However, it is worth noting that until the 1960s pakeha made up the majority of boys sent to Kohitere. I recall reading the admissions book going back to before the second world war and there were very few Maori names.
While at Kohitere we were visited by the Komiti Whakahaere, an advisory group of kaumatua and kuia who reported directly to Prime Minister Muldoon. They expressed their disappointment that so many Maori were in care and that the state system as it was then was failing Maori. They were determined to push for changes that would mean all Maori children and young persons would be cared for by their whanau, hapu or iwi. This, combined with other criticisms of state interaction with Maori, led eventually to the creation of Puao Te Ata Tu, which made several recommendations as to how the Department of Social Welfare could address the systemic institutional racism, against Maori.
These recommendations included having Maori involved in all decisions affecting their tamariki and that Maori should only come into state care when they could not be safely placed with whanau, hapu and iwi. I recall being very inspired by the words of Tuhoe leader, John Rangihau who eloquently and fearlessly challenged the whole notion that pakeha social workers with their so called “professionalism” could do better than Maori with their centuries old wisdom when it came to making decisions for tamariki Maori. This was the moment when I was determined that I would do everything I could to help realise the vision that was Puao Te Ata Tu.
So when the CYP&F Act came into effect in November 1989 there was real hope that we would work with and alongside Maori to exercise rangatiratanga with respect to their tamariki. The keystone to the Act was the Family
Artwork by Te Kura Kaupapa Maori O Te Ara Hou.
Te Kura Kaupapa Maori O Te Ara Hou Mural Painted by Year 10 students as a Group Project in 2008 Poupou of Tamatea Arikinui, Rongokako and Te Awhiorangi
Napier Pilot City Trust – for a kinder, fairer city 151
Group Conference (FGC). This was the vehicle for determining the level of intervention and the forum for devising and agreeing to plans. The FGC was the alternative to seeking court intervention and state care. The CYP&FA was also clear that it was the state’s role to support whanau and where appropriate resource the plans agreed to at the FGC. Residences were closed down and funds reallocated to initiatives such as Maatua Whangai which was resourced to find whanau/hapu placements for tamariki Maori.
SOUNDS EXCITING SO WHAT WENT WRONG?
I delivered the initial training and it was clear from the start that the notion of power sharing was both not understood or in some cases not very welcome. Social workers were used to doing things their way and they soon proved either unable or unwilling to change. In particular, the FGC was viewed with suspicion, the key role of the FGC coordinators devalued and in some instances undermined. In addition, the role of the department to resource FGC plans was obstructed by the way departmental budgets were allocated and managed, following the advent of the Public Finance Act in 1989. The perverse outcome was that it was easier to go through the court, get a custody order and pay board, rather than fund FGC outcomes and keep kids out of care.
Things weren’t going much better when it came to working with NGOs and iwi. There was a lack of leadership and clarity around how the community sector should work alongside the department and in particular what work could be devolved and if devolved how it could be funded. A competitive model was introduced which left community based organisations fighting for a place in the queue, with little thought as to how the best overall outcomes could be achieved for the community as a whole. Scant attention was given to capacity building within the NGOs and iwi. While community based services did great work with the families they traditionally worked with, they struggled with the type of families that were the core work of the Department.
Probably the most overlooked factor for the ongoing systematic failures of the Department (by now restructured several times) was the creation of a National Call Centre. While created with a good reason, its impact had never been accurately predicted. Almost overnight notifications to the Department went from a few thousand a year to tens of thousands a year. The organisation was simply swamped, caseloads went through the roof, there were delays holding FGCs and the quality of
Artwork by Byron Konia, Flaxmere Primary School.
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intervention suffered accordingly. To add to the misery, budgets were actually being cut resulting in social work vacancies. The answer – as always another review and another restructure. The result – the same.
THE PRESENT, THE FUTURE, WHAT IS AND WHAT CAN WORK
I shifted from New Plymouth to Hawke’s Bay in May 1992. I had been managing the New Plymouth office of CYF and was offered the Hawke’s Bay job on promotion. I knew very little about Hawke’s Bay but my wife Helen had grown up in Maraenui and we had some friends living here so we thought we would come over for maybe a couple of years and we are still here today.
I guess I had the common view of those outside of HB, that it was a wealthy part of New
Zealand, the wealth built on sheep farming and horticulture, Leopard beer and Morrison Motor Mowers.
Unfortunately my arrival in HB coincided with the two big freezing works closing down and the impact of Rogernomics, so illusions were somewhat dashed. We also looked forward to living in a part of the country with two cities within a few minutes reach, a pleasant change from the isolation of New Plymouth.
Initially I had the overall managerial oversight of the Wairoa, Napier, Hastings and Waipukurau offices and within two years the Gisborne office was added. I soon found that all these offices operated quite differently and all had their unique culture. While on the one hand this made things interesting, on the other it was difficult to bring about changes and install consistent standards of practice across the whole rohe. I found that the principles of the CYP&FA were not well embedded in practice, one result being that there were more children in care than was the case in Taranaki.
The interaction with the community and iwi was also inconsistent. All were keen to get their share of the putea and apart from direct approaches there was also considerable lobbying through the political system. This did not always mean that resources went to where they could be most effective. Also to an outsider the unbelievable level of animosity between Napier and Hastings meant getting “Bay Wide” initiatives to work was challenging. It’s not surprising then with rising levels of unemployment and poverty, that the organisation struggled to meet demands and provide a quality service.
There were however some bright spots. The then National Government was keen on devolving services, thus providing the chance to give life to s. 396 of the act and establish iwi social services. After much korero we
Artwork by Jesse Sipaia, Flaxmere Primary School.
Napier Pilot City Trust – for a kinder, fairer city 153
managed to do this in a limited way with Ngati Kahungunu. Discussions were held with Ngati Porou and the iwi of Turanganui A Kiwa, but these didn’t result in anything concrete. If nothing else the seeds were sown for advancing formal relationships with iwi that have progressed to fruition today.
From around the year 2000 to 2006 I managed all the coordinators across the country with the aim to get consistent high quality practice that could revitalize the principle of family decision making and empowerment. I was also heavily involved in following up on the commendations of the ministerial task force into youth offending which included delivering joint training with the police across the whole country. The result was that CYF vastly improved its delivery of youth justice services to the point where today it is fair to say that the aspirations of that section of the CYP&FA are largely being met. Why was this successful? Firstly, there was widespread agreement that improvement was needed, secondly there was strong hands-on leadership by the Principal Youth Court judges and senior managers in all the agencies involved. Thirdly the training was based on the legislation and supported by oversight and monitoring of performance standards. The sad thing is that it has never been able to be translated to care and protection.
The last 14 years of my career have been spent in Napier working mainly as a senior advisor to either the operations or regional manager, sitting through yet more restructures, the most recent being the winding up of CYPs and the creation of Oranga Tamariki.
THE BIG QUESTION – ARE THINGS GETTING BETTER?
Oranga Tamariki has all the whistles and bells, is well resourced and has a vision well aligned to the Oranga Tamariki Act and in particular s. 7AA. I believe it has made considerable progress in working alongside iwi and other partners. It has also moved to provide better targeted services and facilities for the most vulnerable and difficult to manage Tamariki. Despite what you see in the media there has been strong leadership and a consistent message to all staff as to the vision and aspirations of the organisation. Yet despite all that, it seems to me it still struggles against the tide. At the macro level I don’t think the organisation will ever be able to match the political aspirations of Maori and at the micro level there are still significant challenges with the recruitment, training and competency building of front line staff. The latter also applies to the non-government sector. Everybody struggles with the ongoing and seemingly increasing effects of poverty, gang culture, family violence and drug and alcohol abuse. As long as we live in a society where a young man has the choice of aspiring to riding around coloured up on a $5000 Harley Davidson or picking apples on the minimum wage, we will always swim against the tide.
Unfortunately, Oranga Tamariki and its predecessors always seem to be the centre of media attention when things go wrong. They have an absolute statutory responsibility to protect vulnerable children yet when they consider the only safe option is to uplift children they get criticised. Then when a child who is left in a dangerous situation suffers harm, it is always Oranga Tamariki’s fault that they didn’t do more to protect the child. As they say, it’s a tough gig.
NEIL’S LAST LOOK AT OT
What I loved about the work – there was never a dull day. In the early days I liked the variety especially working alongside others in the community like public health nurses, school guidance counsellors, etc. I also really liked leading through the move to put Family Group Conferences at the centre of our work and doing the hands on stuff, training the FGC Coordinators, etc. I also really enjoyed working in youth justice. It is a really sound model and one we are starting to do really well.
Reflecting on progress at OT – one of our early general managers who came from a civil engineering background observed that the organisation reflected the dysfunctional families it worked with. I’m sorry to say he was probably right. What is often overlooked is the fact that the “organisation” has never been stable nor has it been adequately resourced. There was a hope that OT could start from scratch with sufficient funds to build a stable knowledge-based organisation working to Kaupapa Maori principles. But as events transpired, it hasn’t got off to a good start.
There were a number of initiatives such as Maatua Whangai in 1983 and Puao-te-Ata-tu in 1988 that acknowledged that the system was failing Maori and the new Kaupapa was intended to give more power to Maori to look after Maori. But somehow that seemed to get undermined by the bureaucratic orthodoxy. (I guess that’s institutional racism at play.)
154 Napier Pilot City Trust – for a kinder, fairer city
Te Taiwhenua O Te Whanganui A Orotu is the mandated iwi authority for Napier and works across five different whanau-centric areas – housing, health, education, employment and environment.
PERSISTENT, PASSIONATE MAHI
BY TANIA EDEN
CEO Te Taiwhenua O Te Whanganui Ā Orotu
I first remember seeing Pat when I was around 12 years old as I used to go to the Downtown Y in Napier. He helped set up the Y which was amazing because there was nothing else going on for young people in those days. I didn’t have anything to do with him then but I knew he was working hard in our community.
It wasn’t until I was policing in Hawke’s Bay that I met Pat properly. I worked for the Ministry of Defence in Wellington when I left school, then joined the Police and came back to Hawke’s Bay in 1989 to 1993. It was then I remembered about Pat, and he was still pioneering, still working in the community.
I left again in 1994, working for the police and I visited Hawke’s Bay frequently during that time. Some of the police were working with Pat in the youth aid area, mid 1900s [1990s] to early 2000s, so he still had his hand in there!
Pat is very special to Maoridom and our taiwhenua, even our young ones hold him in high esteem. He has worked tirelessly on the Napier Pilot City Trust Kaupapa for years. He’s 94 and he calls himself a foot soldier and that’s what we are too, because on the ground is where the real work happens.
Pat for us and the community is an honorary kaumatua because he walks both worlds. For us he is very wise and has been around a long time. He walks the talk, whether he’s out there shaking hands or having a hongi with the Mongrel Mob and Black Power, or meeting with chief executives from central and local government. He has the strategic view of things and he has the common touch too, which is special because not a lot of people have both.
In the Maori and pakeha worlds there is a lot of politics and differences in viewpoints but I believe both worlds can work together. Like our tipuna Sir Apirana Ngata, who famously spoke of having, “One hand in the Maori world and one hand in the pakeha world”, that is how we will go forward. We know that’s what Pat is doing. He honours and values Te Tiriti and he wants everyone to understand the Treaty because he knows this is essential if the people of Aotearoa are to move forward together.
Top: It all seems better after a rosé at the Boardwalk; Tania and Pat sort the world’s challenges in an hour: Opposite: Standing, Hori Reti, Te Taiwhenua board chairman, speaking at the Pilot City Trust AGM in 2020. Pat and the Reti whanau have a long and special connection and Hori’s grandparents joined Pat on the Taupo to Napier YMCA hikoi in 1970. Tania Eden, Te Taiwhenua CEO is to Hori’s right, and to his left, the Trust committee.
156 Napier Pilot City Trust – for a kinder, fairer city
Te Taiwhenua’s vision for a Child Friendly City is one where all our children feel safe and can play safely and that they have parents who can give them the quality of life they deserve. That our children can grow up in a Child Friendly City that provides them with all their needs around education, health and housing and their mum and dad are in good employment.
Currently a lot of our tamariki feel unsafe and that has to change. The latest crime stats for Napier are damning. Flaxmere’s crime stats have gone down because they’ve adopted a community-friendly kaupapa. They’re all in there working together and people like Henare O’Keefe, Peleti Oli and Les Hokianga are helping drive this, whereas Napier’s crime stats continue to trend up. We have to work across government, across agencies, taiwhenua, and organisations such as the Trust to put in place a Child Friendly City strategy that actually makes a difference.
In terms of achieving a Child Friendly City Pat has experienced many blocks over the years while he’s been trying to change things. Going forward it’s all about working with what we’ve already got. We don’t need to reinvent the wheel but we need to make the wheels stronger and sturdier to achieve outcomes because at the moment, there are a lot of people out there with the greatest of intentions but change is incremental. More resources have to be given to organisations who can make a difference on the ground with the whanau – something Pat has been advocating for years.
We have a new Mayor and Council CEO in place now but we need the Council to step up and bring some key people on board to focus on this Kaupapa. The Council needs to make friends with central government and work together so we can get foot soldiers on the ground, checking that our families are safe, okay and thriving. The Council cannot keep saying it is not their role, or that it’s the role of central government and the community.
I know there’s a lot of funding going into Maraenui for social services but I’m keen to see what is being achieved with the funding and how we can be more effective. There’s a lot of mahi going on with programmes that are game changing. Annie Aranui from the Ministry of Social Development supports many programmes including Whare A IO, Te Kupenga Kauora, Kings Force Health, Te Ropu ā Iwi and the Taiwhenua; they’re all in there working with many others to make a difference.
Pat makes a huge difference to the community and Te Ao Maori as well. He religiously goes to the Napier court and holds his office outside The Pie Man in Maraenui. He continues to do his work here, advocating on behalf of our people; on behalf of families who have nothing, being kind, caring and giving them a voice.
Pat is loved by our people and by our community and we will forever support him and the mahi he continues to do.
Aroha Mai, Aroha Atu, Aroha Nui, Pat.
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CHAPTER THIRTEEN
RESTORATIVE JUSTICE – FOR AN UNJUST JUSTICE SYSTEM
“A broken system by its very nature cannot heal”.
Support to the principles of Restorative Justice has been a key mover and inspiration to Pat’s actions to improve the treatment of criminals and to assist them to reintegrate into society as productive and contributing citizens. Restorative Justice principles have been central to the operation of the pilot City Trust and Pat’s work within it.
Pat believes you can’t keep punishing the problem and any changes to the justice system in managing Maori offenders need to be Treaty based to work, or “it will just be more do-gooders tinkering at the edges”. His view is that structural damage has been caused to society by the Treaty of Waitangi not being honoured, that the nation needs to be restored, that it needs Restorative Justice, that it needs to be healed.
“Salaries are pouring in to police and corrections every day but sadly not for someone or something like the Pilot City Trust, which focuses on what is generally agreed to be the most important aspect of crime prevention – intervention”, he says.
To quote the Centre for Justice and Reconciliation, Restorative Justice views crime as more than breaking the law – it also causes harm to people, relationships, and the community. So a just response must address those harms as well as the wrongdoing. If the parties are willing, the Restorative Justice approach believes the best way to do this is to help those involved meet to discuss those harms and how to bring about amicable resolution. Other approaches are available if they are unable or unwilling to meet. Sometimes those meetings lead to transformational changes in the lives of the perpetrators and lasting friendships with victims.
The three major concepts are: (a) Repair: crime causes harm and justice requires repairing that harm: (2) Encounter: the best way to determine how to do that is to have the parties decide together; and (3) Transformation: this can cause fundamental changes in people, relationships and communities.
So Restorative Justice is a different way of viewing crime and an innovative model that attempts to eliminate violence and crime from communities. It is in the intention to “repair” and “to heal” that lies the difference with Aotearoa’s current adversarial, retributive justice system.
New Zealand’s justice system is constantly labelled
Opposite: Could this be the sun setting on our Criminal Justice System? Photo by Lee Pritchard; the Godwit sculptures are a collaboration between local artists Ricks Terstappen and Jacob Scott.
Restorative Justice – for an unjust justice system 159
“broken”. It incarcerates and punishes offenders while providing little to no rehabilitation, and for the most part, there’s little healing for the victims as well. It’s a broken system which by its very nature cannot heal.
“The ignorance is astounding”, Pat says. “People working within the justice system, not knowing The Treaty, not learning our history. Every Wednesday I’m in court, witnessing the tragedy, following the same people going through the “drafting pen” that is New Zealand’s justice system. Napier Court on a Wednesday morning is a hell hole”.
FIRE BRAND FOR TRANSFORMATIVE JUSTICE
A step on from Restorative Justice is Transformative Justice, first advocated by Canadian Ruth Morris in her 1992 booklet, A Practical Path to Transformative Justice. A transformative model, she claimed, “helps all of us include those who fall through the cracks of society, and transform negative forces into resources for change.”
One of the world’s leading Restorative Justice champions, (1933-2001), Ruth became a close personal friend of Pat’s when they met in Auckland in 1994 at an ICOPA conference. Ruth had a deep commitment to, and achieved much in justice reform and was the epitome of someone who walked their talk. In fact, in her case she ran with it!
After gaining a PhD in sociology and social work, she honed her skills and became a passionate social activist, university lecturer, community organiser, writer and speaker. As a Quaker she led the Canadian Quakers group to consensus in 1981 to become the first religious group in the world to call for the abolition of prisons.
It follows that she had a deep commitment to the well-being of prisoners and former prisoners. Through her petitioning, more prisoners were granted bail and she was instrumental in securing accommodation and establishing half way houses for released prisoners.
Her life’s vision was, “To help all of us include those who fall in the cracks of society, and transform negative forces into resources for change”. Sadly her booklet on Transformative Justice is just as relevant today as it was nearly 30 years ago. In terms of justice reform, she saw this as a “practical way, a cheaper way, and a more healing way”.
Pat remembers Ruth as a firebrand, very experienced and very educated and she had a firm vision as far as incarceration was concerned. After the 1994 conference in Auckland she came down to Napier to find out about Pilot City. She liked what Pilot City was doing, and the Robson Collection and got in touch with Alan Dick, congratulating him for supporting both initiatives. Ruth was keen to establish a Restorative Justice exchange programme between Canada and New Zealand and send students back and forth for research purposes. Sadly this never eventuated because Alan Dick didn’t have the support of council.
When Pat attended an ICOPA conference in Toronto, Ruth had the group picketing outside Cadbury’s and other multi-nationals. She was very challenging and her debating and knowledge were respected by everyone. Pat stayed with her and her husband in Toronto for quite a while. Because she worked so hard, her husband was always concerned for her health.
“Transformative Justice is really what we’re on to in Aotearoa with the Treaty. It means that you don’t just restore; restoring is only patching things up. When Ruth witnessed Restorative Justice in the court in Napier with pakeha carrying it out, and it wasn’t Treaty based, she
Above: Pat outside court.
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INTRODUCING ICOPA
ICOPA stands for the International Conference on Penal Abolition. The conferences are held bi-annually and gather supporters from around the world – academics, activists, practitioners and people who are currently or were previously imprisoned. ICOPA’s guiding purpose is the abolition of prisons and to encourage dialogue for new ideas to help achieve their goal.
Pat has attended conferences in Auckland, Hobart, Toronto, Belfast, London (twice), Lagos, Trinidad and Amsterdam. He also visited Mexico City to research how the largest city in the world copes.
realised that change had to be transformative at a government level, Pat says.
“We’re not quite up to the Transformative Justice stage here yet but we’re getting nearer. A case in point is the victory for Maori ward representation on local councils. Eventually, it has to come. People are looking for it and asking for it and, with the Treaty and Te Tiriti being taught in schools, that will make a huge difference. ‘The prison walls have got to crumble’, as Ruth used to say”.
NORWAY’S HUMANE, SUCCESSFUL RJ MODEL
It was at an ICOPA conference that a colleague opened the door to Pat visiting Norway. Pat points out that if you had to do time, Norway would be a good place to do it. Prisoners are treated humanely, there is a focus on Restorative Justice, rehabilitation and healing. The Scandinavian model of justice speaks for the sense of caring for the offender in such a way that they can successfully re-enter society. And it works. Norway’s justice system sees the lowest recidivist rates in the world and one of the lowest crime rates. In open prisons, clients live pretty much like your everyday citizens while under supervision. As well as being a humanitarian model, it is simply sound management; to achieve rehabilitation of members of society for their reintegration back into the community for the next phase of their lives, crime-free.
PAT VISITS NORWAY’S FOUNDING CRIMINOLOGIST
Nils Christie was Norway’s founding criminologist. He campaigned long and hard against traditional prisons, liberalising drug laws and against the negative impacts of industrialisation. Modern punitive punishment practices around the world really concerned him, especially the mass incarceration model followed in the U.S.
“An eye for an eye will leave the whole world blind”.
M.K. GANDHI
A criminologist Pat met at ICOPA in Belfast in 2010 emailed Nils to let him know that Pat wanted to visit him. Nils was constantly in demand and when Pat fronted up to his office, Nils had just returned from Georgia in the US where he was trying to rescind the death penalty, which had been reintroduced there in 1973.
Above: Pat’s days involve assisting others to strengthen our communities; “We’re really in trouble if politicians keep “copping out” and insisting on building more prisons”.
Restorative Justice – for an unjust justice system 161
“When Nils realised I was staying at a backpackers and wasn’t a criminologist but was in Oslo for two weeks, he made a deal with me. ‘Read my books and then we can talk’ he said. So I went away and read his brilliant and sobering Beyond ‘Gulags Western Style’? and Crime Control as Industry and we met up a few days later over a beer for a Q&A. We kept in touch too following that visit.”
Twenty years ago Norwegians moved away from their harsh corrections model, which Pat put down to the country being a mature society and having strong, inspired leadership at the time. Norwegians started paying higher taxes, which helped fund early intervention. He saw prisons where there was little evidence of retribution and reoffending rates dropped dramatically.
If Pat hadn’t talked to Nils, he would never have braved meeting Stewart Murray Wilson – one of New Zealand’s worst sex offenders – in his cottage on the grounds of Whanganui Prison and he wouldn’t have felt confident enough to challenge Whanganui Corrections, who as a result, often weren’t happy with him.
“Wilson would have had a better chance at rehabilitation in Norway. Politicians there aren’t allowed to promote prisons as places of punishment and he would not still be locked up or supervised in a cottage on prison grounds after 25 years”.
In Pat’s view, the best thing New Zealand could do would be to adopt the Scandinavian Restorative Justice model, based on enquiring why people fall through the cracks and then trying to prevent it from happening again, instead of letting people rot in prison.
Thinking about Anders Behring Breivik in Norway, and the mass shooting in 2011 where 77 people were killed; Pat says the object of the Norwegian system was to work with Breivik, find out what hurt him and get him back into the community, “As yet, forgiveness is not in our culture”.
“Wilson would have had a better chance at rehabilitation in Norway. Politicians there aren’t allowed to promote prisons as places of punishment and he would not still be locked up or supervised in a cottage on prison grounds after 25 years”.
FRIENDSHIP AND THE BEAST
Lack of forgiveness was not a consideration for Pat when he came up with the idea of meeting “The Beast of Blenheim”. Pat likes a challenge. He doesn’t shy away from high profile situations either and he sure found both in Stewart Murray Wilson. People’s reactions to Pat visiting Wilson a few years back ranged from: “Why waste time on him?”, or “You’ve gone too far with this one Pat”, through to, “It’s good you went to see him”. Born in 1946 in Timaru, Wilson is known as one of New Zealand’s worst sex offenders. He was jailed for 21 years in 1996 for offending involving 42 women and girls. In September 2012 he was paroled under the most severe release conditions ever imposed in New Zealand. The public and Whanganui City Council were outraged that Wilson was accommodated in a house on the grounds of Whanganui Prison and not in more secure conditions. Wilson is still there today, following a return to prison in 2013 after allegedly making a phone call to someone he wasn’t permitted to contact.
Above: Open prisons in Suomenlinna Island, Helsinki, Finland:. “There is no punishment so effective as punishment that nowhere announces the intention to punish” Doran Larson, in GLOBAL.
162 Restorative Justice – for an unjust justice system
PAT ON MEETING STEWART MURRAY WILSON
Here we have an example of Pat walking the talk, the inimitable foot soldier, where he applies principles of compassion and forgiveness, the principles of Restorative Justice – in the real world, and in real time.
“Michael Laws, mayor of Whanganui, was the first to call Stewart Murray Wilson the Beast of Blenheim – Laws didn’t want Wilson in the city. I’d never talked to a human beast before and wondered what that would be like. I got in touch with Corrections and asked whether I could visit Wilson and when I got the green light, I went over. The place where Wilson stayed was well managed, there was a long list of instructions, and the visits would be supervised. Wilson had already done 21 years inside. He was intelligent and I could see there were two sides to him.
“I visited him over a five year period. We fished together down at the wharf and Wilson baited my hook for me. His minders had to conceal him, give him recreation time and if there was any trouble, with the public getting stroppy about him being out in the community, gang members would often support him. Wilson appreciates people visiting him and he wants to make a good impression. There’s not much conversation with his minders and there’s nothing stimulating going on for him. Contrast that with Scandinavian guards, who act more as mentors and guides.
“I wanted to find out what went wrong for Murray. I talked to his mother in Temuka and several women he’d been in relationships with. It seemed he was rejected at birth. He was a loose cannon but not as bad as Corrections often implied. I could understand the staff being nervous though. They probably feared that if there was a breach under their watch they would lose their jobs.
“Wilson was a brilliant gardener. He grew a lot of vegetables and gave a lot away. Several groups offered opportunities for him, the Quakers contacted Corrections and asked whether he could garden at their settlement but this wasn’t allowed. We suggested Wilson walk parts of the long tail with us, on Te Araroa Offers Hope, but that was turned down too.
“When Michael Laws was in full retribution mode about Wilson, a member of the public wrote in to the Whanganui Chronicle, saying perhaps the city’s notorious prisoner needed help, rather than ostracization. The editor at the time, Merania Karauria, agreed with this and continued to try and educate about Restorative Justice models whenever there was coverage on Wilson.
“I think the community should visit and support Wilson more. He was having a battle with the Catholic church one time when I was there. The women in the church were prepared to accept him but he wouldn’t confess his sins. There’s no doubt he’d been damaged. He had received beatings as a child and had been given shock treatment at a number of psychiatric hospitals throughout the country.
“Steve Trelour of Whanganui PARS [Prisoners Aid & Rehabilitation Service] has a lot of wisdom and PARS staff are keen to support Wilson, as were Corrections staff in general but the system as it is prevents any innovation. A fresh approach is needed to heal this broken system. Steve says, “It’s much better to make inmates into taxpayers who benefit the economy instead of draining it.”
Pat thinks more people should visit Stewart Murray Wilson.
Tributes to a Restorative Justice foot soilder [soldier]
AND THE GREATEST OF YOU SHALL BE YOUR SERVANT
BY TORO WAAKA, CHAIR OF NGATI PAHAUWERA DEVELOPMENT TRUST
I first met Pat in his work in the courts in the 1970s where he, along with Maori wardens, provided moral support for people whose mistakes too often made them the victims of an ambitious constable’s career path. Young Maori were the prime targets. New Zealand has a justice system where you are guilty as charged until proven innocent. Given the court is more likely to support a constable steeped in the dark art of crafting an incriminating case, the outcome is set. Hence the position of Maori being the most incarcerated ethnic group in the world. I picked up Pat walking at Westshore recently and asked him where he was going. He said drop me off at the courts. So he is still doing that support work to help the young caught up in the court system.
Pat believes people are inherently good and that their lives and place in society should not be destroyed by court systems that dehumanise its victims. A few kind words go a long way when one feels confused and powerless in the grip of a soul-destroying court machine.
Pat has also been committed to bringing out the best in young people and I served with him when I was a director on the Napier YMCA board. Alan Dick who became the Napier city mayor was the chairperson of the YMCA Board. With a group of young Maori social workers, Pat helped set up the contact centre next to the Napier YMCA. It was a safe place where those with problems could meet informally with people who in the first instance would listen and if possible, provide support. Some of the team at the contact centre included Whare Te Rekia, Mark Kururangi, Huriana Lawrence, John Hishara, Mere Ruru and many others.
Such was his genuine nature Pat was able to progress his ideas by getting the support of important heads of Government departments like Pam Thorburn, lawyers like Russell Fairbrother, as well as sociologists and leaders in the community.
As well as running a gymnasium the Napier YMCA delivered a number of training programmes to support unemployed youth who lacked basic life skills and sometimes whanau support. I was one of the training staff. The youth we worked with suffered from hunger, sexual abuse, dysfunctional families and many were lost souls.
Pat was also an early practicing conservationist and he was a long term advocate for the cleaning up of our ocean and the Ahuriri estuary. One would often see him walking that area picking up refuse.
While at the YMCA I became the chairperson of the Taiwhenua o Whanganui a Orotu. Pat often attended our meetings and supported many of our projects and employment training courses. Such was the relationship that when his wife died she was laid to rest for a period at the Taiwhenua urban marae.
I also served with Pat for a while on the Napier Pilot City Trust. Pat believed we were a small enough community to engage in initiatives in the Napier community that could show the way for the rest of the country. With the support of Alan Dick and other leaders in Napier, they achieved some great outcomes including the Napier Goes for Goals conference.
Whilst Pat and I are not in contact as much as previously, our paths still cross and Pat continues to spearhead initiatives to support his Big Napier Whanau.
Such is the magnitude and longevity of his empathy to support the less fortunate Napier people at the coalface, and actively preserve community amenities for all, he is deserving of a knighthood.
Toro is currently the Chair of Ngāti Pāhauwera Development Trust, director of Ngāti Pāhauwera Commercial Development Limited, Chairperson of Māori Battalion D Company Research Committee. Toro and his wife Marion own Napier Prison Tours and City-walksz Ltd.
NGATI PAHAUWERA Development Trust
Restorative Justice – for an unjust justice system 165
WORKING FOR CHANGE IN THE HELL HOLE
Napier is a “Hell Hole”, says Pat. “It has to be worked on. You can’t continue to punish these people with the result, being more prisons”. Talking with Kina, acting head of the Mongrel Mob in January this year, he said he liked the way Pat doesn’t stand in court when the attendant says before the judge enters, “All rise”. Perhaps given Pat’s impressive age, the authorities turn a blind eye to his possibly subtle protest. The real reason, Pat says, was due to a sore hip while he waited for a replacement. “It was too sore to keep getting up and down”, he says.
Build Communities, not Prisons
Behind the Napier Central Police Station is this mural ‘Build Communities, Not Prisons”. The following is the description of the mural from the Napier City Council website … The mural was unveiled by Norm Hewitt, former All Black, Hurricanes and Hawke’s Bay representative to support youth development across Hawke’s Bay. Pat Magill and the Napier Pilot City Trust in collaboration with the Napier City Council worked with local high schools to weave together a tapestry of artwork from students that promoted respect, honesty, forgiveness and pride for all.
Clockwise from top left: Pat at his Poppies “office” by the Napier Court; the mural “Build Communities, not Prisons” by Jan Marie Cook at the Napier Police Station which has since been demolished; a quiet moment between mates; highly respected late kaumatua Joe Northover, Pat, Court Services Manager Chris Greaney and Russell Fairbrother; Maori Warden legends, Zita Smith, Tom Hemopo and Josie Kewley.
PAT IN ACTION
BY RUSSELL FAIRBROTHER
QUEEN’S COUNSEL AND FORMER NAPIER LABOUR MP
Pat is the most loyal, kind, sincere and doggedly determined person I’ve ever had the privilege to know. I’ve known Pat for 50 years. I’ve seen him move on but, never in the process, forgetting his life as a married family man and background of running a successful business. He is most likely the most well-known individual in Napier. He is the living conscience of Napier.
The causes he champions are many and varied. None is too unpopular or too small. Underlying each is a drive to make better an individual, a group or a city. He does not do that by imposing any set beliefs. Instead, he shines a light on processes that from within generate a respect for difference, diversity and community connections. His skill is to enable the individual or collective to convince itself of its own self-worth. Everybody is improved by Pat’s processes.
I have seen Pat courageously address hostile audiences about alternatives to the expressed Kaupapa of the gathering. Whilst Pat’s remarks may be dismissed or trivialised by the mood of the meeting, some attendees will have left that meeting with a nagging thought that perhaps things were not as the meeting was meant to show.
Pat does not get his point across through stirring oratory. He drives his message home with an innate sense of timing. With two exceptions, he thinks well of his critics. If their behaviour or words are hypocritical or if they have the power to make a difference and refuse to use it, Pat will say so and why.
Pat lives a biblically Christian approach to personal wealth or accumulation of assets. He has moved from a home of architectural value in a wealthy inner city area to a humble home alongside a busy road. The vehicle he drives is the one available to him at the time, albeit not running quite as designed. If he was a capitalist, he would be a Warren Buffet.
I often reflect on the irony that Pat, once a staunch rugby administrator, played first five-eighth for the Hawke’s Bay provincial rugby team the “Magpies”. The first five-eight is both a playmaker and a first line of defence. I am sure he was selected for the vision and bravery required for that position. I can just imagine a fierce tackle by Pat followed up with an immediate inquiry as to the welfare of the tackled player; meanwhile the game pounding on around them.
Pat appreciates the importance of gesture. In tough personal times, it is not uncommon to arrive home to a gift of handpicked flowers or fruit or vegetables left anonymously on the doorstep.
I believe Pat is able to walk into any gathering of a community focussed meeting and be immediately welcomed in the knowledge that he brings with him an important presence. Although Pat works with groups, his message defies organisation into the formalisation of a committee. Many have tried. Some have learned Pat is an inspiration. He cannot be contained within the agenda of a meeting.
I cannot offer any humorous anecdotes about Pat. There will be some, but to make humour out of Pat’s contribution is to debase that work. I have often thought Pat should be knighted, but I think his gifts to Napier defy summation in a manner necessary for a knighthood and anything less would be a travesty of the man.
Above: Painting, Mountain Stream, by John Ruth.
CORRUPTING THE HALLS OF POWER WITH GOODNESS
BY PHILIP JENSEN
BARRISTER, AHURIRI
I met Pat in ’91 or ’92, more likely ’91 because Pat is not one to let a good prospect go. I had come to Napier as an older new lawyer, and I was saying things in Court. I was mostly likely recommended by Russell Fairbrother. I was invited, on a sunny Sunday for a drive into the hinterland to Puketitiri, to a bach Pat had in the wilderness, a walk around the property, a chat and a cuppa afterwards. We probably pulled some weeds as well because that’s what we were there for. From this walk and a chat and a cuppa I forged a long comfortable and rewarding friendship with Pat. I think he is just amazing. I haven’t met anyone quite like him and long may he remain with us.
In hindsight it is easy to see how Pat works his magic. He has a keen eye and good ear for identifying and recruiting acolytes to his Kaupapa. I am merely one of a long, long line preceding and following. One at a time he collects us up, over a walk and a chat and a cuppa. Long may we continue that walk and talk with others.
In the decades I have been a working lawyer, I have been astounded by the amount and variety of ways in which hurt and harm is visited, one human to another, and returned in kind. How easy it is to be angry and judgemental and correctional towards all this. Detaching from the awfulness of it all, searching for the good and the redemption and the sunshine in such a murk of horribleness is hard work. Very hard work. Pat has been doing it all his life. I only know of the latter 30 years but the talk I have heard at Napier Pilot City Trust AGMs is from people who have walked with Pat since the 1970s.
I would like to sup on some of that elixir Pat partakes of. What it is I am not quite sure. I think perhaps it is just a bedrock belief in the rightness that if you dig often enough you will find little nuggets of gold goodness in every person, and if we continually look for the good in everyone then everyone’s life is improved. Such a simple proposition, and Pat imparts and propagates this simple proposition by simply walking his talk. By the simple expedient of turning up to someone with a muffin, or a dinner box, for a cuppa and a chat. One person at a time. What a life’s times work. Pat you are a wonder.
The great beauty is that he is so middle New Zealand. Pat, as far as I know, is no tree-hugging, god-botherer sect believing hippy oriented lefty. He is as middle Kiwi as they come. He was a business man, big business. He follows rugby, was president of the Hawke’s Bay Rugby Union at a grand time, and he likes a beer!! Pat is able to walk in and talk with the ruling classes because he comes from them, and they are comfortable with him because he is from them. Yet the message he brings is so different. In days of old the Soviets called them sleepers, persons who infiltrate the power structures, and corrupted them from the inside. Good on you Pat. Long may you continue to corrupt the halls of power with goodness.
Above: Pat’s bedrock of belief in rightness, revealed to Philip Jensen as he walks around Pat’s bush at Puketitiri. Painting by Pat’s friend John Ruth.
#PAT-SPEAK
The big question is, how do you go from ignorance to enlightenment? Do we accept that we are what we are and not bother to try and evolve? Surely doing the same old thing is ridiculous. Very few of the staff from the social agencies who direct people to the court come and see the results. Most of the people in court going before the system and through it aren’t bad people. They’re just not coping. Putting a Maori judge in the court isn’t going to fix it either.
PAT’S FRESH, UNENCUMBERED PENAL ABSOLUTIONISM: NO MORE PRISONS
BY HON. RUSS IMMARIGEON
TOWN COURT JUSTICE
HILLSDALE, NY, USA
When Pat and I first met over two decades ago, prison populations were much, much smaller in both New Zealand and the United States than they are now. At the time I had been kindly invited to come to New Zealand, about which I then knew very little, to talk about alternatives to incarceration.
To talk effectively about alternatives to prison, you need to believe that prisons are overused and that, simply put, there are better ways and means for responding to crime and its consequences. Like me, Pat believed that, plus he was very cheerful and friendly.
I forget where we first met, but I suspect it was in Napier, a small, warm, walkable city I can still picture several decades later. When we first met I was immediately embraced with Pat’s fresh, unencumbered penal abolitionism. Pat’s simple message, “No more prisons”, remains a wise and necessary message, even more so considering Pat’s message comes not from academic study or even “correctional experience”, but from basic human decency, a motive for action deserving much more appreciation.
Pat, as I recall, was instrumental in starting the Robson Collection at the Napier Public Library. I was at the collection’s opening, a wonderful affair, and Pat has remained a strong advocate of it for all these many years. I wish Pat and the collection, both, a long, long life span.
Over the years, Pat has kept in communication. At one point, I am not good at remembering dates, Pat visited my wife Gretchen and me here in Hillsdale on one of his world tours.
His world tours, seeking out more information about penal abolition, were self-guided and self-funded. In venturing forth, he brought with him an enlivened spirit and a bottomless cup of energy. And a wonderful smile and great laugh. I’m sure I don’t speak only for myself, but these are generous resources to receive and witness.
On this day, and into the future, I say to Pat: te mihi mo te mea he marika nui – thank you for being a great friend.
Restorative Justice – for an unjust justice system 169
Justice Action is a not-for-profit community organisation in Sydney, Australia, focusing on abuses of authority in the criminal justice and mental health systems, with Brett supported by a team of student interns.
The offender must be able to give something back. But criminals are most often poor people. They have nothing to give. The answers to this are many. It is correct that our prisons are by and large filled with poor people. We let the poor pay with the only commodity that is close to being equally distributed in society: time.
Crime Control as Industry. Towards Gulags, Western Style
Nils Christie
Third, heavily revised edition with two new chapters.
“As yet, forgiveness is not in our culture.”
A STALWART COMRADE, BRINGING ENERGY & SPIRIT
BY BRETT COLLINS, CO-ORDINATOR, JUSTICE ACTION
Pat and I have spent lovely and very productive times together. I love his statement that he would crawl over broken glass to get to the London ICOPA. He always is a stalwart comrade, bringing energy and spirit that engenders others to do more than they thought themselves capable.
At times he has arrived in Sydney when I was exhausted from my work, and his presence brought more grounding to my effort that allowed me to fire up once again.
We have drunk beers from Bondi to Toronto to Auckland to Trinidad to Tasmania and always celebrated with Pat’s generosity of spirit.
TWO PEACEMAKERS TOGETHER
BY HAL PEPINSKI, ATLANTA, USA
“Great times in ICOPA together – love and peace, Pat”
Hal is Professor Emeritus, Department of Criminal Justice at the Indiana University Bloomington. Trained in law, sociology and Chinese, Hal has spent most of his academic career describing crime and violence, their roots, their antitheses, and the ways in which people can, and do, make peace.
HAL’S MESSAGE TO PAT: “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres”. Corinthians, chapter 13, verse.
Top left: Justice Action meeting with Mental Health Commission, NSW, discussing disrespect for consumers in forced medication. Brett is on the right; Right: Famous quote by Nils Christie; Peace dove. Photo Nowshad Arefin.
The Mike Hosking Breakfast.
6AM – 9AM WEEKDAYS
NewstalkZB
HOSKING INTERVIEWS PAT ON STEWART MURRAY WILSON
BY JES MAGILL
Talking to Pat on the phone one night, he mentioned he was being interviewed by Mike Hosking on Newstalk ZB the next morning: topic, Stewart Murray Wilson. “Shit” I thought, “Pat will get eaten alive”.
Pat can be a convincing public speaker, getting his points across beautifully, most of the time. At other times he can ramble. He’s fond of the ‘stream of consciousness’ delivery, where he leaves it up to his audience to connect the dots and if you know him well, you can. Speaking in riddles is another of his verbal devices, where he lets his mind wander where it will, picking out a few key phrases and hoping their meaning will land somewhere accessible to his audience.
The caustic king of the airwaves, Mike Hosking, could really have a field day with the idiosyncratic elder statesman of Napier’s Restorative Justice campaign crowd. “Please prepare thoroughly” I implore Pat. “Write down what you’re going to say and PLEASE mention the victims”. “Yes, yes”, he says.
Pat and my husband Richard, have some robust discussions on law and order in Aotearoa and I’m pretty adept now at diverting potentially tricky conversations that lead nowhere and simply raise blood pressure levels. When Richard heard that Pat was visiting Stewart Murray Wilson, the Beast no less, in Whanganui Prison, his reaction was extremely strident.
Next morning I made sure the radio was set on National and Richard left the house without hearing a peep from 1ZB. I’d forgotten about the car radio though and 20 minutes later he rang. “You’ll never guess who I just heard being interviewed …”
But, I needn’t have worried. The interview went superbly. Pat spoke like a pro, like the genuine Restorative Justice campaigner that he is. Mike, in a rare display of civility on topics not dear to his heart, simply asked questions and listened. In the interview Pat ventured a claim for visiting society’s most marginalised and Mike said, it was hard to argue with that. A valuable morning’s work at the office, Pat. Well done!!
TRANSCRIPT OF PAT’S INTERVIEW WITH MIKE HOSKING, 7.20 A.M, JUNE, 11, 2015
Mike: Here’s a request out of left field. Pat Magill is looking for people to visit Stewart Murray Wilson at his home in the grounds of the Whanganui Prison. You know Wilson of course, he’s known as a prolific sex offender but Pat Magill has been visiting him for years and hopes others will start and do the same.
Morning Pat. Are you his only visitor?
Pat: I think a priest calls on him from Marton but I think there’s very few who have visited him.
Above: ‘Having someone for breakfast’ could easily have referred to Mike Hosking’s interview of Pat one morning on Newstalk ZB. Mike was uncharacteristically mellow however, throughout the korero, asking questions, listening and seemingly agreeing with Pat at the end. That’s one for Restorative Justice!
Restorative Justice – for an unjust justice system 171
Mike: I’m not surprised. Why did you start?
Pat: I went to Norway to visit Nils Christie who looks at prisons and Restorative Justice. The way Scandinavians look at justice is, “Let’s help fix this person up, he belongs to us”, and when I came back to New Zealand and saw the way that Laws, the [former] mayor of Whanganui, castigated him, humiliated him, I thought that wasn’t right. Plus, I’d never seen a human beast before so I thought I’d go visit and see what one was like.
Mike: What’s he like?
Pat: He’s a survivor. He’s had an horrific life, which he isn’t blaming on anybody but on the other hand, given as Corrections say themselves, given a fair go, who knows? But they said to me that they can’t do anymore, its over to the public, it’s up to the community. So why did he fall through the cracks? If we try and find out why he did and try to help him, there would be fewer victims. But we don’t look at it like that. We just keep filling the prisons and prisons don’t turn out people who create fewer victims.
Mike: What do you talk about?
Pat: We talk about fishing and I go out on the wharf fishing with him, he’s a brilliant fisherman. Sometimes he needs the protection of a few unemployed people, or from the gangs. I think Laws has created a situation where people go and hunt him out. We talk about gardening. He propagates seeds, something he learnt from his mother. I’ve rung his mother to find out how he lived and I’ve even quietly been in touch with several of his victims.
Mike: Do you reckon you’re making a difference?
Pat: Well, you must deal with human nature, because if you ostracise and alienate people you turn them inwards. At least he writes me a letter and occasionally rings me up, and I’ll stick to him.
Mike: Good on you, Pat. Pat Magill – who visits Stewart Murray Wilson and wants others to do something similar. You can’t argue with his argument really, can you?
INTRODUCING PARS – DRIVEN TO TURN PRISONERS INTO TAXPAYERS
Prisoner Aid & Rehabilitation Service Trust (PARS) operates in New Zealand and had its beginnings in Dunedin in 1877. It is guided by the mission statement ‘Supporting offenders and their families’. The trust spread to the major centres by 1900 and Whanganui District PARS was established in 1967.
Services are varied and cover assistance to find suitable and sustainable accommodation, wrap around support in the community where needed and support with physical, mental and emotional wellbeing. Clients range from people held in custody (sentenced and on remand), those recently released from prison, as well as other offenders; people charged with offences plus family and whanau of people in the above categories.
“We aim to treat everyone equally, with respect and understanding of cultural differences”, say PARS Whanganui manager, Steve Trelour. “Criminal behaviour affects not only the immediate victim but also the offender, their family/whanau and the community as a whole. All individuals need to be responsible for their actions and the consequences”. [www].communityhouse.org.nz
Above: Image by Shane Rounce
172
PUTIKITIA TE AROHA
BY HON DAME TARIANA TURIA
One of my favourite memories of my childhood is my years growing up at Putiki Pa in Whanganui.
The original name of the pa was Putiki-wharanui-a-Tamatea-pokaiwhenua. Its name is sourced back to Tamatea Paki Whenua Pokai Moana, who visited the rohe of Whanganui in the 14th century, accompanied by his son Kahungunu.
As a young woman I was involved in the Putiki Youth Club formed in May 1952. The ideals of the club were to preserve our reo, haka, waiata, poi but also to bind together in love – Putikitia te Aroha.
It is with these thoughts that I think of my relationship with Pat Magill – the shared learning between our peoples in Whanganui and Kahungunu; the vision of a foundation of shared interests; the aspiration for our communities to be learning, mana-enhancing, health-giving.
All of these thoughts come together in the person that is Pat Magill. Pat has been a champion for social justice, a hero for prison reform, long before it became fashionable. Many years ago he initiated Treaty seminars throughout Hawke’s Bay way before the State took up the responsibility.
He is a thought leader and a shape shifter; establishing Unity Week; the Unity Robson Lecture; the Unity Forum, the Unity Dinner – all designed to recognise the contribution to community development and bicultural partnership. The Walk for Unity has been occurring for well over thirty years since the inaugural hikoi from Taupo to Napier in 1990. Of course the walk itself has never been an issue for you – even in your 90s I understand you have been walking the 3km track around the Ahuriri Estuary in Napier with characteristic commitment; a source of inspirational motivation for us all.
The Walk for Unity always culminates in a presentation of Pilot City Trust Awards and the Robson Lecture on social justice issues, which has strengthened our conversations around nationhood, around community, around fairness, around equity.
Pat’s vision for the Napier Pilot City Trust was indeed legendary. Over thirty years ago, in January 1986, Hon Anne Hercus nominated Napier to be a pilot city for the study and implementation of positive alternatives to violence.
Above: Dame Tariana travelled from Whanganui to Waiohiki to personally present Pat with a korowai on his 93rd birthday hikoi celebration, in 2019; m (The above photo is from another event.)
Restorative Justice – for an unjust justice system 173
THE DAME AND THE DUDE
Pat’s 2019 93rd birthday extravaganza, comprising four events over one weekend, saw the last of those events happening at Waiohiki Creative Arts Village. We were lucky to again have Denis O’Reilly as our go-to-guy-to-make-good-stuff-happen, as party sorcerer and MC.
Of course the mood was celebratory – Pat and Denis, Irish and more to the core, both had a fun chip installed at birth. That light buzzy mood did turn a tad emotional though when Dame Turiana [Tariana] Turia presented, and draped, Pat with a korowai – a huge honour. Dame Tariana had driven all the way from Whanganui to get to the event, spent some time at the party, bestowed the honour upon her mate Pat, and then drove all the way back home to Whanganui that day.
Pat says he is not sentimental. The jury is still out on that. He was undoubtedly, momentarily overcome by Dame Tariana’s tribute. It was an amazing moment that revealed the depth of their friendship and mutual respect and there was ‘nary a dry eye amongst the crowd of 100 friends and whanau.
At its essence the Trust represents the distinctive nature of your communities, and values that diversity as the foundation for the concept of community. It is a diversity which has encouraged creativity in letting all the voices be heard.
The Pilot City Trust spear-headed the creation of a large mural in the Napier Court House – designed and painted by rangatahi Maori and promoting the concept of Restorative Justice. The Napier Pilot City Trust also commissioned a talented group of taggers to cover the wall alongside the Napier Police Station. You never forgot the enthusiasm of galvanising youth-based volunteerism that you experienced when you set up Downtown Y in Napier and in your various roles with the YMCA.
I really wanted to pay tribute to pat for your ongoing and persistent advocacy of difference. You have worked so hard to create connections and initiate conversations of meaning. You have gone out on a limb to look for the unity that binds us together, both in small ways and significant. You have championed the call, “Build communities, not prisons!
Your advocacy at local and regional council is impressive. You told the Local Government Commission that the city should be divided into wards to ensure fairer representation for its different groups. You argued that there was no social advantage in merging the Napier and Hastings local bodies into one council. The genesis for the Unity Walk was in itself to provide a forum for tentative conversations that enlarge our horizons, build opportunities, paving the way to bigger and greater possibilities.
You have been recognised and valued for your contributions at international gatherings focusing on hardship and social justice and penal reform. You have taken up every opportunity to grow Napier into a Child-Friendly City, coinciding with the United Nations Universal Children’s Day. Closer to home you scuttled the campaign to build a marina in the estuary; arguing again for solutions which embrace all, not just the wealthy.
Your lifelong mission has been to focus on what it is that unites us as peoples; to promote the universal truth that the city can provide answers to its own social problems; that our future lies in the connections that bind us together, Putikitia te Aroha.
Heoi ano
Above: Dame Tariana Turia presents Pat with a korowai – a huge honour – on his 93rd birthday celebration held at the Waiohiki Creative Arts Village.
174 Restorative Justice – for an unjust justice system
THEN THERE WAS PAT MAGILL
KIM WORKMAN
KNZM, QSO
Between 2006 and 2008, Prison Fellowship New Zealand ran an annual conference at the Silverstream Retreat in Upper Hutt. Over three days, prison volunteers would interface with speakers and presenters; victims, ex-offenders, academics, judges, criminal justice experts, Corrections and Justice personnel. The Notorious Chapter of the Mongrel Mob came in significant numbers, and while they were regarded initially with suspicion and reserve, people left the conference with a better understanding of their lived experience.
And then there was Pat Magill. He came to our first Conference in 2006; a sprightly 80 year old; inquisitive, gregarious, talkative and totally present. The social barriers that existed for most people did not exist for Pat, conversing freely with parliamentarians, gang members and volunteers. I soon realised that while Pat held strong views about social justice, and was unafraid to express them, he was also a good listener. There was no such thing as a shallow conversation with Pat. He was on a learning journey, and he would take you along for the ride.
I knew little of Pat’s background, and assumed that his passion for social justice was a product of Catholic social teaching; but he was hard to pigeon hole. Over the next 15 years, he would turn up at a range of conventions and conferences always the willing listener and learner – but with the end view to promoting social action of some kind. He was an ardent advocate for social change, and was always looking for a way to do something now – in order to make a difference.
I learned over those years, that some advocates for social change are fair-weather friends. Their support for a particular cause dwindles at the first sign of public or political resistance. Pat does not qualify. His role in establishing the Napier Pilot City Trust in 1986, and his insistence that the city can provide answers to its own problems, continues to evolve. The Unity Walk, the Unity Week, the Unity Dinner, the Robson Lecture on social justice issues, and presentation of the Pilot City Trust Awards engages participants and presenters from across the social, ethnic and cultural spectrum.
Pat is a persistent and tireless advocate for issues he believes in, and the Napier Pilot City Trust has been the beneficiary of that. But there are others. I have heard him promote Robert and Joanna Consedine’s wonderful book ‘Healing our History – the Challenge of the Treaty of Waitangi’ many times. Pat has been an active supporter of my own work in criminal justice reform over the years. His emailed messages of support are legend, and always encouraging.
I am not as closely acquainted to Pat as others, and most of my engagement with him has been at public gatherings and conferences. But there is another side to Pat that it has been my privilege to witness. Over the years, I have participated in the annual Society of Friends Retreat on Prison and Justice Reform, at ‘Quakers Acres’ in Whanganui. It was there that I witnessed another side to this amazing man. During periods of silent reflection and prayer of quiet sharing, I came to understand that Pat was a man of deep spiritual insight; a compassionate and loving man whose beliefs transcended religious, cultural and ethnic barriers.
That is the Pat Magill that I will treasure above all else.
Above: Sir Kim Workman
PAT DRILLS A LITTLE DEEPER WITH SIR KIM WORKMAN
Do we have to wait for Aotearoa’s history to be taught properly in schools before our Justice System takes the Roper Report recommendations seriously or is influenced by similar enlightened and effective strategies?
While a better understanding of our colonial history will contribute to a more tolerant and enlightened community, that will in and of itself, be insufficient to bring about transformational change. Government agencies have a rangatiratanga of their own, and are reluctant to either surrender or share power and authority. I was in the Department of Justice at the time Te Ara Hou was published, and it was clear from the outset that justice officials opposed the recommendations, and over the next few years, ensured that prisons continued to be run along traditional lines. Let’s not forget that those who join the justice system have attitudes toward crime and punishment issues that are shaped early in their lives by their social identity and values. In order for our thinking to make the shift, it requires us to undertake a shift in our personal values and attitudes.
From my “office” on the street in Maraenui I am heartened by Children’s Commissioner Andrew Becroft lobbying for the thorough transformation of Oranga Tamariki for whanau and rangitahi to look after their own rangitahi and Tamariki. Do you agree that barristers remaining as solicitors and focusing mainly on pakeha issues will help with the transformation?
Not necessarily. Like it or not, we are stuck with an adversarial justice system, which relies on a complex system of legislation, precedents and principles. There are increasing numbers of lawyers who understand family harm and cultural issues, and are able to stand alongside their clients as powerful advocates.
What else do you think could assist with the transformation of Oranga Tamariki?
Children’s Commissioner Andrew Becroft’s advice is ‘Start again – build a new system from the bottom up’. I agree.
I visit the Napier Courthouse every Wednesday and see the misery caused when rangitahi are caught up in the system. As of now barristers, police, reporters, court guards and admin staff are living off the minor offending of mostly young Maori. Do you have faith that this system can be transformed, given how many stakeholders are invested in it? And when is it reasonable to expect to see transformation?
In 2007 the then Principal Youth Court Judge, Andrew Becroft, delivered a speech entitled, ‘Time to Teach The Old Dog New Tricks’. He argued that there was much the Youth Court could “teach” the adult courts and that the revolution associated with the introduction of the Children, Young Persons and their Families Act in 1989 could be replicated in the adult courts. Since then, we have seen the introduction of Rangatahi Courts, Pae Oranga (Iwi Community Panels), pre-sentence Restorative Justice panels, and increased police diversion. But these changes are marginal to the system, and while they have improved the system, they fall well short of transformation. That will require the kind of political appetite for change, that foresaw the revolution of the youth justice system.
Pat’s driving. OMG! I’ve even seen him get out of the car while it’s still moving!
THERE IS SOMETHING ABOUT PAT
BY ROS BARTOSH
Unbending, unwavering support for equity, Maori, Maraenui
Solution focussed
Like a tohe – persistent, never gives up
Uncompromising in sticking up for his beliefs
Considerate and generous – often turns up with gifts
Sends me requests when he or the kids next door would like some home-baked biscuits
Meeting for coffee or going to dinner and forgetting his wallet!
Uncanny ability to get you to agree to something, ‘Got a spare $20 for …?”
Pat was friends with one of my university lecturers – Merv Hancock. Merv suggested I leave Uni and get into the real world and Pat offered me that opportunity in the mid 70’s. I moved to Napier as a Social Action Volunteer (something Pat set up). I was provided with a caravan, a backyard to put it in and $20/week in wages. The next thing I knew we were three years growing and maturing in this role. Friendships made then have withstood time.
I found myself running the Downtown Y and a work co-operative for unemployed young women. I had no idea what I was doing as Pat set us up with a commercial carpet overlocker and a space to work in! Life was good in the 70s!
Pat and I can get together over a bottle of wine, solve the problems of the world in an hour and I will be left struggling to remember what we had talked about as we went from one topic to the next, all related and disconnected too.
So many attributes of Pat’s which I am witness to:
His cunning ability to get what he wants is an admirable attribute
Unafraid of criticism, committed to his beliefs and a vision for a better world
His commitment to Te Tiriti and particularly his support of Healing our History and Treaty training never falter.
He struggled to learn Te Reo but I was delighted to attend his graduation from a Maori language course at TWOA. What a proud moment! He said they allowed him to graduate to avoid him coming back and repeating the course! Yes his pronunciation is a bit “off” at times but he never stops trying. How many times has he sent me his little mihi, we go over it together, I resend it. Then about a year later he sends me the old version yet again! So the cycle goes on.
Nights with him and Jim and too many wines!
Pat’s driving OMG! I’ve even seen him get out of the car while it’s still moving!
Great fisherman. My only regret is we haven’t been out on the water more often. He has a knack of knowing too when I’ve gone out and asking how many were caught – all the while wanting some fish!
Fearless. He’s not afraid to ask the hard questions and face tough situations, like rocking up to the Mongrel Mob pad and wanting to talk about child abuse. I totally admire him for these stands.
Above: To cherish; the many happy hours spent with Pat out on the water or on shore, chatting and debating, about the challenges of community development work, social justice, what needs to be done, and how, and now!
CHESTER’S EPIPHANY
“What is needed are people in Corrections and across relevant ministries who are totally engaged in keeping people out of the justice system.”
Chester Borrows served as an MP for National from 2005 to 2017. He broke ranks with his party though in 2017 when he condemned the “discriminatory” policies of US President Donald Trump. A liberal Christian, a lay preacher and an artist, Chester was initially opposed to same-sex marriage but also condemned Joseph Falau’s homophobic comments made a few years ago.
“My opinions have changed significantly in recent years” he says. Visiting Parihaka in 2018, he stated, “There needed to be wider teaching and acknowledgement of New Zealand history, especially regarding historical injustices committed against Maori”. Borrows also condemned National’s then leader Simon Bridges for the party’s “tough on crime” approach, in an article in The Spinoff in 2019. He stated there was no evidence it would reduce crime rates and has since lobbied for an approach that is rehabilitative, which he sees as better supported by evidence.
It’s Chester’s depth of experience in the Police force, his later training as a lawyer, his transformation from a conservative Christian to a liberal and his career of service to the community, that saw him appointed to head the Safe & Effective Justice Advisory Group which is tasked with guiding the reform of New Zealand’s criminal justice system.
“Basically Turuki! says we need the Government to start this yesterday. It’s incredibly urgent.”
CHESTER BORROWS PONDERS: WHY ARE WE SO PUNATIVE [PUNITIVE] IN NZ?
“I find this difficult to fathom. Perhaps because of our egalitarian roots and because we’re an isolated country, we’ve lived largely by community enforcement and ‘good will’. We’ve set the public bar of expectations. Because of our colonial roots we’ve happily created an underclass and put people in it and continued with contemporary colonisation, where Maori and Polynesians are largely corralled into lower socio-economic groups. That has an impact on education prospects, jobs, health, welfare and housing. Because pakeha are the vast majority and made all the rules we have this Victorian sense of propriety which means that we just condemn anything that goes wrong in society as bad decisions and bad choices, without taking any responsibility as a community.”
Q & A WITH CHESTER: TURUKI! IT’S THE ROPER REPORT REHEATED
Turuki! Turuki! is another bold and brilliant report calling for transformational change in the justice system. Will it be different this time? How confident are you for change, that the Government will begin to adopt the recommendations made?
We are confident for change. This work was tasked by Labour and the Greens and Labour is in government now without New Zealand First. They have big numbers so the Government can get on and do it, there’s nothing holding it back. We’ve been waiting a long time, since the release of two reports in 1989, the Roper Report and Moana Jackson’s He Whaipaanga Hou. Both reports called for fundamental, transformative change to the justice system and all the recommendations in Turuki! appeared in both reports 32 years ago. Turuki! is both reports reheated. The sadness is that the reports and recommendations are so similar 30 years apart. The need is 30 years more urgent and the time and lives wasted in the interim is a travesty.
How has response been to Turuki! Turuki! And what are the time frames for adopting the recommendations?
178 Restorative Justice – for an unjust justice system
CORRECTIONS VS TE ARAROA OFFERS HOPE
In 2018 when the Te Araroa Offers Hope hikoi hit the trail between Bulls and Woodville, an iwi policeman liked what the group was doing, offering an alternative school. He walked with them part of the way and a friendship was forged that remains today. On the same trip the crew met a woman who’d recently landed a job at Corrections. Pat again explained what they were doing, adopting Te Araroa trail as their affordable Outward Bound, getting kids out of town for a while, experiencing how the long trail can enrich their lives, keep them out of trouble, maybe even out of jail. “I hope you’re not too successful” she said, “This is the first job I’ve ever had and I love it”.
There has been quite a lot going on behind the scenes with the justice ministries working together – Corrections, Police and Justice. We made a strong point that this consultation needs to be across government. It needs to involve education, health, mental health, Oranga Tamariki and MBIE. All these different agencies need to get together on it or we’ll end up with the under-educated in jail. Basically we say this needs to be started yesterday. It’s incredibly urgent.
The justice system has been called broken so often but there are a lot of people whose livelihoods depend on it. Is this dependency preventing the transformational change that is required?
In our public meetings we often heard that Corrections had become the new Ministry of Works but what we really need in corrections and across relevant ministries, are people who are totally engaged in keeping people out of the system. With Corrections we see people with incredibly good will and the fantastic pockets of excellence that operate across the board. Corrections has had such a rapid rise in prison population that it has needed to employ staff quickly, and has taken people from all walks of life. Some of them are there to make the world a better place and some of them are there just to collect the pay packet, like any other occupation.
Restorative Justice – for an unjust justice system 179
MY FRIEND PAT – LEGEND
BY PAM THORBURN
FORMER HEAD OF NZ CORRECTIONS
I first met Pat when I was appointed to the role of District Probation Officer, Napier District in 1986. I had not been there long when Pat decided to acquaint me with some of the facts relating to the community particularly around how he saw things developing and the vision for the city. I recall being somewhat bemused by the rather insistent gentleman in front of me and his views. It soon became apparent to me that, given Pat’s propensity for very long-winded engagements, I would need to fairly carefully manage all the interactions. Perhaps this was due to his Irish heritage and a certain stone known as Blarney? If I had not managed our time, undoubtedly I would have been dismissed for being slack on the job.
As time went on Pat insisted that I join Napier Pilot City Trust. On many occasions, usually over a glass or two of red wine, we have debated many initiatives and opportunities relating to how Napier could develop as a fairer and more just bicultural city that enabled all citizens to thrive. This led of course as to how we could influence the rest of New Zealand and beyond toward being a better society. We served on a number of community boards together which was often fun. We also explored the local wineries, a must-do living in Hawke’s Bay. Again we spent many happy hours tasting the best reds often joined by friends and yarning away the day.
My admiration for Pat grew over the years and our friendship has endured and grown. I recall Pat as a very loving family man as well as caring for the welfare of those well beyond his wider whanau. Pat worked tirelessly to develop and support many community initiatives within the Ahuriri/Heretaunga districts and gave generously to others. He holds a special place within the community and his energy and activism are legendary as are his punishing Walks for Unity followed by the wonderful Unity Dinner at the Napier RSA. Happy and joyful events were always special to Pat especially being amongst whanau and friends. His energy and enthusiasm are boundless!
His energy, passion and commitment to projects and the support and guidance he provides to others is reflected by the trust and respect he receives from his many local, national and international contacts. To me Pat is a unique person and with his caring and positive approach I can do nothing but admire him and value him as ‘kaumatua’ to me and many others, particularly those that are vulnerable and often experience deprivation socially and economically.
While in Napier Pat became a part of my whanau, often dropping in to share in social activities with my parents and wider family. He was embraced by my parents who enjoyed many hours sharing stories and putting the world to rights.
In a strange twist of fate after my father died his clothes were sent to a local op shop. Who should turn up at the funeral in my father’s lovely blue suit – none other than Pat! A wonderful if unintended tribute to my father’s life could not have been better planned – although maybe they both were up to a bit of their usual mischief that day!
My journey with Pat has been an interesting, challenging and at times frustrating one but one that has always been filled with positivity, care and aroha.
Pat, you taught me so much about the power of family, community and friendship. You showed me what can be achieved with listening, supporting and empowering others and not simply being a government bureaucrat that never leaves the swank and comfort of the office suite. You showed me the art of humility and the importance of simply being human.
My life has been so much richer as a result of my friendship with you. Although we do not meet very often these days we just pick up as if no time has passed at all. The red wine is perhaps a little more aged along with the both of us. You and I have shared a journey over many years and I am proud to call you my friend. Pat Magill you are a legend!
LOVE OF ECOLOGY AND PEOPLE – PAT IS AHEAD OF HIS TIME
BY MARILYN SCOTT
PAT CERTAINLY HAS THE COMMON TOUCH AND SPEAKS TRUTH TO POWER
“If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue or walk with kings nor lose the common touch …” Rudyard Kipling
Although I grew up in Hawke’s Bay in the ‘50s and ‘60s, I never actually met Pat Magill until I returned to Heretaunga to live in 1995 after more than 20 years absence. It was soon after that that I joined the Probation Service and my work in the social justice field inevitably led Pat and me to meet and become firm “shipmates” to use Pat’s common turn of phrase.
One of my abiding memories of the unique man that Pat is, was the day I left my job as a probation officer after seven and a half years. I had resigned as service manager at the Napier Office after less than a year in that role, aware that I no longer fitted into the box-ticking, template-focused compartments that the Probation service had increasingly become. Pat had heard that there was a farewell morning tea and he and his lovely companion Helen Lloyd arrived at reception with a huge bucket of wild flowers that they had picked that morning on their daily walk around the Ahuriri Estuary. What tugged at my heart strings and reduced me to tears was the thought that had gone into picking those flowers for me! No $60 bouquet ordered from a local florist, which is how people are often farewelled from government departments – instead their taonga to cheer me up was the result of their morning ritual walking around one of their favourite natural places – no doubt picking up rubbish as well as garnering the wild flowers.
Pat has been a staunch supporter of Restorative Justice for decades. When Restorative Justice was just getting off the ground in Hawke’s Bay in the late 1990s, a group of us from the area travelled up to Auckland for one of the first national Restorative Justice conferences. We stayed at Muriwai at the beach home of Helen Bowen and Jim Boyack – two of our early ‘Restorative Justice mentors and trainers. Unlike the rest of us, Pat insisted on sleeping on the large deck outside “under the stars” snuggled up in his sleeping bag where he could reflect on the wonders of the universe and no doubt think about his next community project or plan of action.
For decades before many of us were even born, Pat had been busy pioneering social justice initiatives and promoting Restorative Justice principles and practices. He has always been an ally and a champion for the disenfranchised and those on the margins of society but what is particularly special about Pat, is that he not only cares for people, but he also cares deeply for the environment and his life-long actions have shown his passion and commitment to both. For years he has attended the Napier Court weekly to offer support and encouragement to those who find themselves on the wrong side of the law. His Napier Pilot City vision and his international trips to ICOPA (International Conference on
Above: At his Maraenui ‘office’, Pat with Marilyn Scott and artist John Ruth, whose beautiful paintings appear throughout Leading From The Front.
Restorative Justice – for an unjust justice system 181
Penal Abolition) are testimony to his commitment to a fairer, more just and inclusive society. Similarly, Pat’s tenacity and eternal optimism are evident in his ongoing drive to have the true history of Aotearoa taught in all schools and to promote the Te Araroa Trail – not just as a tourist venture, but as a vehicle to offer hope and opportunity to at-risk youth.
But what amazes me most about Pat, is the vision he had 57 years ago to buy and rejuvenate a piece of bare land at Puketitiri (at a time when planting trees was hardly fashionable, let alone spoken about). In this relatively remote spot he and his family planted what is an amazing native forest of his own – the ‘little sister’ of Balls Clearing. What a treasure and a legacy to leave for future generations.
Pat’s actions in support of people in need will always be admired and remembered and his prophetic courage to speak out and challenge the powers-that-be are equally inspirational, but perhaps his most tangible and lasting legacy will be his foresight and environmental wisdom encapsulated in this age-old whakatauki from tangata whenua:
“Whatu ngarongaro he tangata, toitū te whenua’ – People disappear, but the land remains.
Painting by Marilyn Scott’s husband John Ruth, Seascape at Dawn II.
182 Restorative Justice – for an unjust justice system
AN ABSOLUTE RJ POWERHOUSE
BY JACKIE KATOUNAS
My earliest memory of Pat was probably during the 1960s at the home of my grandparents in Waghorne Street, Ahuriri, Napier where Pat was a regular visitor. He grew up with my father, Ray McKee and as boys they went to school together.
I have so many memories of Pat over the years, but for me the most significant time was Pat’s involvement within the Restorative Justice (RJ) movement. He was an absolute powerhouse at endeavouring to educate people about the huge benefits of RJ. If not for Pat I would not have become so passionate about RJ.
In the early 1990s Pat arranged to bring a guest speaker to Napier, Father Jim Consedine, former Chaplain at ChCH [Christchurch] Men’s prison for over 20 years. The advertisement in the paper called it, ‘Creating a peaceful pathway to our criminal justice system’ – I had to go!
That speech changed my life forever and Pat supported and encouraged me every step of the way over the next 20 odd years. I went on to pioneer the implementation of Restorative Justice into prisons, starting at Hawke’s Bay prison, and Pat encouraged me when I was feeling isolated. He would pop in for a cuppa just to chat or hear me vent. He was a constant unwavering supporter in all I took on in the prisons. Pat was never frightened to knock on anyone’s door if he thought it could help improve the justice/prison system.
His vision is to “Build Communities No Prisons” and he is 100% committed to do all he can to make it right and just for all.
We became close mates over those years. While there were times I’d roll my eyes at him, I admire, respect and love him dearly. Pat is a man who is on earth to bring hope to those who are marginalised, those who struggle and those who are often living on the fringes of the community. Pat has a huge heart for the fallen, the unloved, the ostracised, the outcasts and he sees good and potential in every single one of them.
One other significant thing that impacted me as a teen was the Downtown Y, a venue Pat created for the youth of Napier when there was nothing. I was a frequent patron. Much fun was had at the Y and finally there was somewhere to go instead of hanging around the streets. I remember a little gold stick pin I had with the Downtown Y logo on it.
One of the funniest stories I remember, although it wasn’t that funny at the time, and I’m not even sure it’s appropriate; however, I’ve always lived on the edge and pushed the boundaries, so here goes!!
Just to give a little context, my Dad died when I was 11 years old. I don’t remember too much about him and I would often ask Pat to tell me things about Dad – I wanted to know what kind of a guy he was.
Back in 1998, there was a van load of us, about eight if I remember, travelling from Napier to Auckland to attend an RJ weekend gathering. We were all going to stay at our friend Helen Bowen’s Muriwai beach house. We had been on the road about four hours, some were snoozing, it was quiet, then this voice from the back of the van says .. “Your father taught me how to wank, you know”. Oh my gosh, I nearly choked and everyone was awake and alert now! I was bright red in the face, Pat was giggling and all I could say was, “Too much information, Pat.” Now, all these years later I burst out laughing every time I think of it.
Dear Pat, his name will be associated with many individuals, organisations, NGOs, gangs, many marae, also many prisons. The list is unending. A valuable legacy he will leave is the Robson Collection at the Napier Library, a huge collection of books regarding social justice issues, abolition of prisons and Restorative Justice.
He will offer his support to anyone who endeavours to make the world a more caring, loving and compassionate place.
What I do know about Pat, is that if you were sitting in the gutter a broken mess, he would sit right alongside of you and work out a way to make it better – without judgement, just compassion and understanding. He is truly a unique and beautiful individual.
This man has a heart for justice as huge as Africa and my life is certainly richer for having the opportunity to benefit from his wisdom and never doubt his friendship. Always “me ol’ shipmate”!
Loyalty is not negotiable in my circle. I love to laugh until my sides ache.
TIRELESS ADVOCACY FOR THOSE ON THE MARGINS
FROM: MERANIA KARAURIA
I met Pat Magill when I was working as a journalist on the Whanganui Chronicle. As arranged, Pat arrived in Whanganui and I collected him from the bus and took him to where he was to stay. The place was a bit of a ‘joint’ and luckily he hadn’t paid so I was able to ‘rescue’ him from this ‘den of iniquity’, and took him back to my home. This was the start of a long, and present friendship.
Pat’s sense of social justice and tireless advocacy for those people on the margins, is beyond compare. His tenacity is like a dog with a bone, in his quest for equality and social justice. Do I mention age? Only that Pat shares the same birthdate as my father.
To sum up what I think of Pat, there’s one word that comes to mind – Legend. But there’s more. Pat’s legacy is one of love to continue his mahi.
He told me when he and his wife, Catherine, were in a car accident in Australia which was fatal for her, Pat wanted to give up. But his wife came to him and said he must continue with his work. This is why I think this mahi from Pat’s heart is so extraordinary and so courageous, so tika (right).
Ngā mihi e rangitira Pat
Photo by Anne Johnston, Whanganui River mouth.
THE GENTLE REVOLUTIONARY
BY SALLY CROWN, NAPIER CITY COUNCILOR
What to say about a man with such depth? Not an easy task and for those lucky enough to have known him longer than I, I’m sure the assignment is even more difficult. We are all a sum of our parts and Pat has so many. Following is a bit of a round-up of the Pat that I am lucky enough to know.
“As you start to walk out on the way, the way appears” – Rumi
One can’t think about Pat without thinking about walking. Out there each day at the estuary. The power of walking. His resolute commitment to it in his own life as a tool to not just physical but also emotional and mental wellbeing. The adventures he’s taken others on with him all through the simple action of going for a walk. The young, the not so young. The trails traversed, the realisations had, the bonds built and the shackles broken. Pat walks the talk and magically makes others walk too.
“A city not too large to learn about itself” – Napier Pilot City Trust.
In the short time that I’ve been a part of this community I have had many conversations with Pat about Napier Pilot City Trust. Its conception, its intention, his crusade for social justice and belief in our city and its people. That we have the ability to be kinder and fairer. The trust is a vehicle to help us learn about ourselves and face the realities of the society we’ve created but it is also a vehicle of hope.
“People need meeting places. You need places where ideas are exchanged and you see each other’s faces once in a while” – Debra Granik
Pat and his meeting places. The couple of hang outs I connect with Pat are the café called Poppies and more recently, outside The Pie Man in Maraenui. I remember the first time I met Pat at Poppies. Busy with folks from the civic precinct. Lawyers and loiterers, council workers and justice staff. I knew none of them but they all knew Pat. We ended up crashing Philip Jensen’s lunch when I was interviewing Pat for a story in He Ngakau Hou. It was a memorable exchange involving false teeth. I still laugh and I still remember my first trip to Pat’s Poppies. The place where the real conversations go down. That’s what Poppies and “Outside the Pie Man” have in common. You catch people in the throes of their day and ambush them with real talk. A very smooth operation!
“Good company in a journey makes the way seem shorter” – Izaak Walton
A people person is our Pat. Working for the people, surrounded by people, cajoling the people, supporting the people. But there is one person I think about most when I think about Pat. Minnie Ratima. For as long as I’ve known them both she’s been the salt to his pepper and the reliable shipmate to his many adventures. Bound by their beliefs of a greater cause and belief in each other. Oh the stories they could and sometimes do, tell.
“The Revolution has not yet succeeded. Comrades, you must carry on” – Sun Yat-Sen
From all my dealings with Pat I am always buoyed by his conviction and energy. He is a fighter for the under-dog and a chap that truly sees the potential in his fellow humans; often when others have thought that light of potential has been extinguished. I know that he has done many great things and led in lots of different areas. Rugby, YMCA, Pilot City Trust and so on. So what does success look like for Pat? I know its not accolades and acknowledgements and though these aren’t his words this is what I think Pat stands for. He stands for revolution. For change that sees all of us live kinder and more equitable lives. Revolution for Maraenui. Revolution for minorities. Revolution for people whose hope has dimmed but have so much to give. I’m so grateful we have Pat. He is a “can’t quit, won’t quit” kind of guy and we need that. That revolution goes on.
Above: Sally Crown and Pat have been comrades on the hustings for years.
Restorative Justice – for an unjust justice system 185
“A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots.”
MARCUS GARVEY
Photo and cartoon: Waitangi Associates Treaty/Te Tiriti Workshop team in Napier in 2005, Kerry Kitione, Robert Consedine, Janet Galloway and Pat; humour is a great way to get messages across.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
HEALING OUR HISTORY THROUGH TE TIRITI
A ROLE MODEL FOR THE COMMUNITY: “THE JOY OF HIS PRESENCE, HIS COMPASSION FOR ALL HUMANITY”
BY ROBERT CONSEDINE
Author of Healing our History – The Challenge of the Treaty of Waitangi
IT’S TIME WE KNEW OUR HISTORY
Those who know Pat, know of his passionate support for Robert Consedine’s book Healing Our History and of his persistence in encouraging people to read it and understand why we’re at where we’re at in terms of biculturalism in Aotearoa. Pat believes if everyone in the country read it, or undertook some Treaty training, they would begin to discover life from another perspective and our race relations would come from a more kind and fair place.
Another beautiful afternoon as I land at Napier airport. On the way to town I know where to find Pat because of the magnificent sign on his front lawn – BUILD COMMUNITIES NOT PRISONS.
Pat rises from his slumber in his comfortable armchair. He has probably had a busy morning at the courts making sure that the latest group of mainly poor have lawyers. Then manaakitanga takes over. We hug as he boils the jug for a cuppa.
This is the first stop on my arrival in Napier to deliver another (two day) Treaty Workshop. Pat and I forget the time as we have so much to share. We are both story tellers and laugh often. I realise I need to ring Kerry Kitione who organises the Workshop. Kerry and I need to get to the local hall and set up to start the next day. The local hospitality is superb. The Napier Pilot City team in a variety of roles are all working to ensure the success of the two days that the 20 participants will spend together.
On the following afternoon Pat arrives at the Work-
Healing our History through Te Tiriti 187
shop for lunch. Pat has great mana. He is known to most in the group, which he joins after lunch. As the Treaty Workshop proceeds Pat goes into deep meditation.
Pat is one of the main drivers behind the workshops in Hawke’s Bay. He estimates that we have now provided Treaty Workshops for over 800 local people. Pat does not discriminate between Councillors and CEOs and the wider community. If you have not done one of “Robert’s Treaty Workshops” he will want to know why/when. I have sometimes suggested to Pat that people in Napier probably cross the street if they see him coming!
The Treaty book Healing our History – the challenge of the Treaty of Waitangi co-written by this writer (with daughter Joanna), is one of Pat’s bibles. I am told that he never goes anywhere without it and currently he is paying for the book to be mailed to influential people.
We are both excited at the evolution of changes in Aotearoa, emanating from the Treaty, driven and inspired by the Tangata Whenua. The richness of this debate, and the inevitable resistance is enabling Maori to move away from an adolescent relationship with the Crown and begin to share real power envisaged at the time Te Tiriti o Waitangi was signed in 1840. The Treaty relationship is beginning to permeate nearly all areas of Aotearoa. The settlements, minute as they are, have enabled some hapu to begin to build an economic base.
Pat is in his 95th year. At 78, I still feel like an adolescent when I meet him. His life has had the tragedy of losing his beloved wife and great joy in his six wonderful children. I am in awe of him as the former President of the Hawke’s Bay Rugby Union and a successful businessman. The joy of his presence, his compassion for all humanity.
There are no words in my heart than can describe the love and admiration I feel for Pat. He has been a role model for me for a long time. I bless the gift of his presence in my life.
A golden field in Napier. Photo Stephen Paterson.
188 Healing our History through Te Tiriti
#PATSMANTRAS “New Zealanders – read your own history”.
Jes Magill is with Pat Magill and 3 others.
July 24 at 12.16 PM
Irrepressible social justice campaigner Pat Magill goes next level with new campaign!!!
It’s always fun, visiting Pat, hearing about his latest antics. These are usually surprising, never dull and mostly driven by one of his many personal mantras “It HAS to be fun”.
Come election time there’s no need to ask who he’s voting for – there’s always a hoarding on his front lawn and it’s usually promoting The Greens. (No, the colour of his house isn’t a political statement; it was forest green when he bought the place!)
Busy with papers and cell phone when I call round. I ask him what he’s up to: “Sending out books – lots of them”. His first ‘show and tell’ for the morning was a lovely card from Greens co-leader Marama Davidson, thanking him for sending her through a copy of Healing Our History – The Challenge of the Treaty of Waitangi by Robert Consedine.
Marama’s card reads: “Thanks heaps for your generous gift, Pat. What a cool book. And thank you for always challenging the country to do better. Our movement is the richer for having you as part of it. Arohanui” (PM Jacinda Ardern has received her copy and thanked Pat effusively too).
If you know Pat, you’ll know of his passionate, relentless support for Healing our History. It’s his bible and calling card too. He reckons if everyone in Aotearoa read it, they would begin to discover life from another perspective and race relations would start to come from a kinder, fairer place.
Above, clockwise from top left: Pat and Wahine Toa spreading the good word; Pat peddling the good book; rockstar Treaty workshop presenter Robert Consedine; walking the talk by bus; Robert & Pat take Treaty korero outside.
This article is abridged from the 2005 reprint of Robert Consedine’s seminal book Healing Our History and is arguably the most powerful chapter in the book.
White Privilege: The Hidden Benefits
For more than 20 years Robert Consedine has campaigned for greater understanding of the Treaty of Waitangi by all New Zealanders. His special mission has been to reach fellow pakeha. His best-selling book “Healing Our History” (Penguin) has been revised and updated, in collaboration with his daughter Joana, and re-launched for election year. The following excerpt is abridged from one of the new chapters. For more information go to: [www].waitangi.co.nz
The environment of Koukourarata or Port Levy on Banks Peninsula is spectacular and the silence begins to calm my grieving heart. Standing at the top of the urupa, I view the harbour before me in all its colours as the setting sun creates a canvas of contrasting light across the water and into the valleys. In the ground at my feet, slightly higher up the hill than her Tikao and Manawatu ancestors, Irihapeti Ramsden (Ngai Tahu/Rangitane), my friend, colleague, mentor and fellow traveller on the journey, lay in her final resting place.
Banks Peninsula was ‘purchased’ by the Crown in three blocks. Between 1849 and 1856 negotiations occurred at Port Cooper, Port Levy and Akaroa. Commitments were made about Maori reserves and natural resources. Most of these promises, however, were not kept, and as a result of these Crown acts most Ngai Tahu of Banks Peninsula were driven off the land and lost their turangawaewae.
Irihapeti’s anger about the plight and place of her people and other indigenous peoples was never far below the surface. She had endured ridicule, like most prophetic people, in her struggle to develop her lasting legacy of cultural safety. As is the lot of many indigenous peoples, some of the criticism included the added sting of racism. Yet the levelling influence of a mischievous sense of humour prevented her from ever becoming bitter – whatever the provocation.
Standing on top of the urupa that day, looking out over the land and sea, caused me to reflect, once again, on my connections to this country, the differences in the life journeys of myself and my friend Irihapeti. Although she never raised the subject directly in the many years we worked together, I became increasingly aware of the many privileges I enjoyed as a white middle-class male as we travelled and worked together throughout New Zealand.
What I took for granted, she fought for daily. This was evident in a range of different ways: the way people deferred to me in conversation; the appointments I could secure for both of us (often only after vouching for her competence and political reliability) that would not have been readily available to her alone; the patronising way she was ‘tolerated’ in some groups; the way I almost never had to think about ‘being pakeha’ in the way she had to think about ‘being Maori; and the fact that I could worry about racism without being seen as ‘self-interested’. I could express alternative views and not be seen as speaking for all pakeha; did not have to educate my children to be aware of how systemic racism may impact on their lives; was not singled out as a failure or a success because of my culture; and had always been free to criticise the government of the day without being seen as a demanding pakeha seeking more benefits for my own people. I could have an argument with a colleague, or be late for a meeting, without these ‘failings’ being attributed to my culture. Never once did I have to carry the cultural stereotypes of laziness, violence, trouble-making, poor parenting and living by ‘Maori time’.
My experience with Irihapeti, and increasing knowledge of New Zealand’s colonial history, made me more aware of the immense benefits I had simply inherited by virtue of belonging to the majority culture. I live in a system that, despite significant
Photo caption – Authors Robert and Joana [Joanna] Consedine present a copy of their new edition to the speaker, Margaret Wilson.
HEALTH | 2005 | Mana | 67
limitations, largely reflects my cultural values. But while I have a love of and pride in my Irish Catholic pakeha culture and history, it stands alongside my awareness of the privileges I have inherited as a result of the dispossession of Maori.
What is White Privilege?
White privilege is based on a set of assumptions about what is regarded as neutral, normal and universally available.
Says James Baldwin: “The biggest problem with white privilege is the invisibility it maintains to those who benefit from it most. The inability to recognize that many of the advantages whites hold are a direct result of the disadvantages of other people …” In New Zealand white privilege evolved in colonial times where structures were put in place that were designed to meet the needs of pakeha settlers.
Immigration, assimilation and integration policies directly benefited pakeha and marginalised Maori, yet these systemic structural benefits remain ‘invisible’ to most pakeha.
White privilege is like an invisible weightless knapsack of special provisions, maps, passports, codebooks, visas, codes, tools and blank checks. It is crucial, if we are to further this debate, to understand the origins of the invisible systems of institutional racism and policies from which pakeha have benefitted.
Maori Land: The Historical Foundation of Settler Wealth
In the 19th century there was nothing unusual about the dis-possession of aboriginal peoples by European powers. Despite solemn commitments by the British at Waitangi and some legal protection, what happened in New Zealand was normal for the times.
After assuming sovereignty in New Zealand, Britain brought Maori under its colonial authority. That meant British governors imposed a legal process intended to deny, ignore and de-legitimise the tribal and kinship system that underlay traditional Maori society, making Maori structures and systems illegal. Maori were ‘stripped of their tribal and kinship identity … rendered institutionally naked to their enemies, completely deprived of the shield of social identity … [and] made strangers in their own native land’. As in all colonised countries, the colonised people (Maori) were unilaterally assigned a place in the new system defined by the coloniser (the British).
In 1840 all land and resources were recognised by the Crown as being owned by Maori hapu, under Maori customary tenure. There had been pre-Treaty ‘sales’ but these were thoroughly investigated. The ‘Chief Protector of Aborigines’, George Clarke, who had been appointed on 6 April, 1840, returned some land to the Crown – but not to the Maori owners. Because Clarke was also responsible for purchasing Maori land on behalf of the Crown he had a clear conflict of interest. In 1842 he asked to be relieved of his land-purchasing role, and this was agreed to.
Fraudulent land deals had started well before the Native Land Courts were set up in the 1860s, despite the explicit royal instructions from the Marquis of Normanby that ‘the acquisition of land by the Crown for the future settlement of British subjects must be confined to such districts as the natives can alienate, without distress or serious inconvenience to themselves’. The ‘Right of Pre-emption’. which made the Crown the sole land agent, was included in the Treaty in order that the Crown could protect Maori from land sharks. Maori were not allowed to sell directly to settlers.
But in the event the Crown became the biggest land shark of all. The Waitangi Tribunal’s 81 claim reports and 29 research reports detail widespread and systemic theft and fraud by Crown agents, to the ultimate benefit of the government and British settlers. And yet all the transactions by the Crown in the following examples are still considered legal sales, so the land involved cannot be reclaimed:
In 1840, the centre of Auckland city (3000 acres) was bought from local Maori for cash and goods worth £341. Within nine months a mere 44 acres was resold for £24,275.
In 1845, 16,000 acres of Ngati Whatua land were retained by the Crown without compensation.
In 1850, in suburban Auckland, 700 acres, ‘after prolonged and wearisome interviews’ were bought for £5000 and one third of this was then sold immediately for £32,000. The whole block eventually realised £100,000.
From 1844 through to the 1860s, 34 million acres of land passed from Ngai Tahu to the Crown for a total of £8750. In effect the Crown paid six one-hundredths of one penny for each acre purchased.
In North Canterbury, ‘two years prior to concluding the purchase of 1,1400,000 acres from Ngai Tahu for £500, the government actually sold a block of land containing 30,000 acres for £15,000, which on a per-acre equivalent was 1142 times more than Ngai Tahu was paid two years later. It was also more than the Crown paid for all Ngai Tahu’s 34.5 million acres’.
Historian Jim McAloon describes another government strategy that contravened the Treaty of Waitangi. This policy forbade Maori to lease land to settlers directly. “This edict proved essential in the purchase of Wairarapa and Hawke’s Bay, for it threatened Ngati Kahungunu income and left them with little choice but to sell in order to raise capital, despite the obviously low price’.
Legislation passed to alienate Maori land proliferated. From 1865-90, some 360 Acts of Parliament were passed that affected Maori land. Another 199 Acts came into force in the period 1891-1908. In fact the entire infrastructure of New Zealand was initially paid for by Maori, as their land was alienated and sold to settlers by the crown at staggering profits.
Gaining possession of New Zealand had cost the British government a derisory £562/1/5.
The true value of the overwhelming transfer of wealth from Maori to settler society over the past 165 years is impossible to calculate. When Ngai Tahu accepted £170
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million in 1998 as a full and final settlement of their claim, their chief negotiator, Sir Tipene O’Regan, stated that the full value of their South Island claim was about $16 billion. O’Regan observed that ‘this level of generosity to pakeha society has never been acknowledged’.
Native Land Courts
The Native Land Acts, which created the Native Land Courts of the early 1860s, were supposed to ‘acknowledge Maori rights as British subjects by recognising their legal right to all their land and allowing them to do what they chose with it, including getting full market value if they sold it’.
In practice, however, the Native Land Courts became a vehicle for further Maori dispossession. A leading Maori scholar, Sir Hugh Kawharu, has called the courts a ‘veritable engine of destruction for any tribe’s tenure of land anywhere’. Historian Bryan D Gilling notes that the courts have been ‘the subject of sustained condemnation by historians as the central instrument of colonial oppression, depriving Maori of their lands peacefully and with a minimum of inconvenient fuss’.
Government Policies
Although downstream economic benefits to pakeha were obviously not evenly spread, new settlers arrived in a country that was governed by, and for the benefit of, primarily Anglo-Celtic immigrants. Maori became increasingly marginalised in a process that was systemic. It was an English, largely male landowning Parliament that spawned New Zealand’s criminal justice system, land courts, education and health systems. Maori were systematically excluded from any influence or decision-making. Hundreds of laws were passed without any reference to a Maori view, let alone Maori authority.
The idea of power-sharing with Maori, as guaranteed in the Treaty of Waitangi, was anathema to most settlers. The so-called guarantee to Maori (in Article Two of the Treaty) of tino rangatiratanga – unqualified exercise of authority – was denied time and again. Maori were expected to discard their traditional way of life, including their language, as the new settler government proceeded to pass an overwhelming number of policies that ensured British ‘rule’ was normalised. Maori were denied ordinary citizenship rights that pakeha took for granted.
The Old Age Pension
The introduction of the old age pension in 1898 highlights the ways Maori have been denied a range of welfare benefits to which they were legally entitled. Despite the equal opportunity underpinning the Act, Deputy Registrars were instructed to make Maori access to pensions extremely difficult. A decision was made to refer all Maori claims for pensions to the Native Land Court, which then had to place them in front of a magistrate, effectively slowing the process.
A wide range of mechanisms was used against Maori including removing significant number of Maori from the pension rolls.
For those Maori who managed to stay on the roll the most common discriminatory policy was to reduce their pension to two-thirds of the amount paid to Europeans. In 1904 a decision made by New Plymouth magistrate Thomas Hutchinson to pay a reduced rate of pension (£12 rather than £18) to a Maori pensioner ‘set a precedent for an unofficial policy which lasted over 40 years’. From 1925 the maximum Maori pension rate was £32.65 per annum, or 71 per cent of the maximum of £45/10s. In 1927 many Maori pensions were below £20, less than half the rate paid to pakeha. While officials were targeting Maori with these administrative mechanisms designed to block their entitlement to pensions, ‘Maori pensioners were starving’.
Other Social Welfare Benefits
Social security benefits followed the same discriminatory pattern. Maori were promised that the Social Security Act 1938 would mean a fresh start of new rights and entitlement. Yet a loophole was provided by section 72(2). ‘In the first few years of administering social security, Social Security Department officers used this to continue their earlier pattern of clear-cut discrepancy between Maori and pakeha payments by disbursing Maori benefits at a consistently lower rate. In the early 1940s leaders in Rotorua and Ratana communities complained that not one Maori in their district was receiving full payment’.
World War I and World War II
After World War I pakeha soldiers went into a ballot for land for resettlement, but returned Maori soldiers did not. Apirana Ngata thought it might be seen as ‘improper [for] the Crown to earmark land for Maori soldiers when it was popularly supposed that Maori had sufficient land of their own’.
Provision for Maori was therefore made out of Maori tribal lands. A clause in the Native Land Adjustment Act 1916 enabled Maori to either sell land to the Crown or set their own land aside for soldiers who had been discharged.
During World War II the Maori War Effort Organisation, approved by Cabinet in June 1942, operated with relative autonomy in profoundly Maori ways. Custom and tradition were central to the functioning of this voluntary organisation, which involved all tribes. While its primary purpose was military (recruitment for the Maori Battalion), it also came to have a welfare function. Some 315 tribal committees were formed, co-ordinated by 41 executive committees.
The popularity and the heroism of the Maori Battalion began to have a positive impact on pakeha attitudes to Maori. But despite this, it was not until the late 1940s that ‘equal levels of age, widows’ and invalids’ benefits were accorded to Maori beneficiaries, and this was achieved in small stages as Maori protests made dents in the government’s policy’.
White Privilege ‘Normalised’
The dispossession of Maori land as well as the impact of the Native Land Courts and of successive social welfare policies demonstrates how the colonial infrastructure excluded Maori and guaranteed ‘white privilege’. Every institutional aspect of the new society was
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imported and implanted, and the wealth owned by Maori was systemically transferred to the new settlers. White privilege was further reinforced through a long-term policy to ensure that only ‘suitable’ British and other European immigrants, with a few exceptions, immigrated to New Zealand until the early 1970s. The emerging majority British culture guaranteed that the New Zealand Parliament governed primarily in the interests of settlers. This ‘white’ immigration policy only changed with a labour shortage in the early 1970s.
The full impact of these major policies has taken generations to emerge and intensify. The 1907 Suppression of Tohunga Act and assimilation policies that required Maori to abandon their culture and become English were other examples of polices that discriminated against Maori.
Public works legislation theoretically applied to all citizens but there is overwhelming evidence that Maori were targeted disproportionately for public works schemes.
Although some individual settlers had mutually beneficial relationships with Maori, most people’s attitudes were shaped by the beliefs of the time, which portrayed Europeans and European practices as superior and ‘normal’. Maori were expected to learn the pakeha way of life; pakeha certainly did not expect to learn the Maori way of life. Cultural misunderstanding was naturally rife. For example, the Muriwhenua land report notes that ‘transactions posited as land sales by one race were contracts for long-term social relationships for the other’. Maori had no word for sale and differences in understanding were endemic.
Maori as ‘The Other’
In this colonial climate emerged the idea of Maori as ‘the other’. In essence this was a way of thinking that meant Maori and Maori culture were seen as being ‘less than’ and ‘inferior to’ everyone and everything European. Settler thinking was that Maori were lazy, immoral, degraded and dirty, and suffered from ‘natural depravity’. This thinking created a rationale that made white supremacy inevitable, particularly as British settlers became the majority.
The notion of Maori as ‘the other’ remains deeply embedded in the unconscious of pakeha New Zealand. Otago University lecturer Brendan Hokowhitu sums up the phenomenon thus: ‘Racially based traits imposed on Maori … were the antithesis of those qualities desired by Europeans … representing Maori as physical, unintelligent and savage; a process that continues unabated’. The savage was represented as ‘immoral and sinful, ruled by mythical ritual, and burdened by an encumbering collective’, while the ‘civilizers’ were ‘virtuous, secular, liberated in thought and autonomous’. However, while Maori and tikanga Maori (Maori culture) were viewed as abnormal and inferior, the dominant culture approved of aspects of Maori culture that were in accord with colonial
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thinking. Consequently, kapa haka and ka mate as well as Maori success in war and sport were praised, and cited as further evidence of Maori as the savage other.
Irihapeti Ramsden’s thinking about Maori as ‘the other’ was prophetic. ‘If you think Maori have experienced racism when we are poor, powerless and marginalised, you wait and see what happens when we begin to become more powerful and successful. While we remain in our colonised state, know “our” place and remain “the other”, it will be less evident. But, watch the climate change when we begin to threaten the privileges of the dominant culture and their normality, which pakeha take for granted and assume is “their” right. Then we will really experience the deep ugly underbelly of racism that exists in this country’.
We didn’t have long to wait.
Despite the political, social and legal advances of the last 20 years, pakeha amnesia concerning our colonial history remains. The public uproar against the Labour government’s Closing the Gaps policy in 2000, designed to target poverty among Maori and Pacific Islanders, revealed a significant level of confusion and racism in the majority culture. Many New Zealanders still do not want to face the ugly side of our colonial history. Others claim that colonialism happened so long ago that there are no contemporary outcomes. Still others argue that colonisation was for the benefit of Maori.
The source of pakeha privilege remains embedded in the functioning of our institutions. There are some outstanding examples of the fact that our democratic system still functions on the assumption that the pakeha way of doing things is ‘normal’, and fails to include Te Ao Maori – the Maori world view.
Conservation: A Recent pakeha Discovery?
What are modern conservationist values? How have they come to be in opposition to Maori rights?
The colonisation of plants and animals was driven by the same imperative as the colonisation of the ‘natives’’. New Zealand scientist and historian Ross Galbreath records that the ‘British colonists arriving in New Zealand came armed with the expectation that all the native life – plants, animals and people alike – would inevitably be supplanted and displaced’. He further contends that ‘ideas concerning the native people on the one hand, and native plants and animals on the other, were closely connected’.
It was expressions of alarm from Britain and the subsequent promotion of protection ideas that prompted some small policy changes, including colonial laws, from the late nineteenth and early twentieth century. This initiated the preservation of some native bush, flora and fauna. But it took mass protests from the 1960s to see the government act to ‘conserve, protect and preserve the eco-systems that … give this country its unique character’.
When pakeha did discover conservation, around 1900, this was pretty much at the expense of Maori traditional use. Bird protection laws made no exceptions for traditional harvest. Distinguished doctor, anthropologist and Maori leader Sir Peter Buck summed up the contradiction in 1910. ‘There is no greater menace to the animal life of this country … than the so-called sporting proclivities of the white man … the attitude taken up by the Maori race in this country in that respect was totally different. The Maori never killed for sport, he killed for the pot’. The modern conservation movement could learn much from studying this history.
Foreshore and Seabed: The Latest Pakeha Land Grab
At a meeting one evening with concerned local residents, our local MP attempted to explain the Labour “government’s response to the foreshore and seabed controversy. A group of about 60 vocal Pakeha had arrived and the atmosphere was electric. Some were so angry they refused to allow the MP to explain the government’s policy. The anger was palpable: “Those bloody Maori are getting everything”; ‘More privileges for Maori’; ‘Haven’t they got enough?’; Now we can’t even go to the beach’ – it was a litany of fear and prejudice.
The Court of Appeal in June 2003 decided in the case brought by Ngati Apa, Ngati Koata and others in Marlborough that ‘the Maori Land Court has jurisdiction to determine the status of the foreshore and seabed’. It has this jurisdiction under Te Ture Whenua Maori Act 1993. The case was designed to protect commercial rights to coastal space. The judgement further noted that ‘the transfer of sovereignty did not affect customary property. They are interests preserved by the common law [of England] until extinguished in accordance with the [new] law … the legislation relied on in the High Court does not extinguish any Maori customary property in seabed or foreshore’.
This decision affirms that Maori held customary property rights to land at the time of pakeha settlement. It confirms that those rights were not dependent on or derived from the Treaty of Waitangi or Crown recognition. Furthermore, these customary rights continue to exist after the Crown assumed sovereignty. The Court of Appeal noted that ‘native property over land is entitled to be respected and cannot be extinguished, “at least in times of peace” otherwise than by the consent of the owners’.
Despite the limited nature of the decision, public fear and confusion, mainly created by politicians and the media, was widespread. Subsequently, all major political parties broadly supported the Labour government’s proposed seabed and foreshore legislation, which aims to place the foreshore and seabed in Crown ownership.
All parties thus committed to extinguishing Maori property rights. Little wonder many Maori leaders labelled it confiscation, and more than 20,000 Maori from all walks of life, supported by many pakeha, marched on Parliament in 2004 in the biggest hikoi in the country’s history. The current position of the mainstream political parties is to confiscate Maori citizenship rights only. These are the rights guaranteed in Article Three of the Treaty of Waitangi to all New Zealand citizens. No pakeha – non-maori – rights are being touched. This is highly discriminatory. On 18 November 2004 this legislation was passed by
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a Labour government, with the support of NZ First. Will future generations look back and ask how a government in the new millennium, with the vast knowledge, expertise and resources at its disposal, could repeat the shameful land confiscations of its colonial forebears? Will they discover that pakeha privilege was, once again, guaranteed at the expense of Maori legal rights? Or will they look back and celebrate a government and a political system that had the maturity and the courage to do what was right and just – and legal?
Democracy: Tyranny of the Majority
The right for Maori to exercise full authority – tino rangatiratanga, as guaranteed in Article Two of the Treaty – has always been marginalised. However, the extent of Maori exclusion from political power in the majority system may well be driving some of the current political struggle. The nation state has failed to provide Maori with the same citizenship rights (as in Article Three) as other New Zealanders.
In New Zealand, democracy was designed to exclude Maori from political power, and there is no more obvious example than in the restriction of Maori to four parliamentary seats right up until 1996. In 1867 Maori were thus considerably under-represented: some 50,000 were given four seats, whereas some 250,000 Europeans had 72 seats. A Maori MP had to represent 12,500 constituents, while a non-Maori (European) MP had only 3472 constituents to look after. There is overwhelming evidence that Maori, representing Maori interests, cannot get elected at any level of the system in a First Past the Post (FPP) system.
This fundamental issue emerged at the time of the Royal Commission on the Electoral System in 1986. The commission considered the FPP system ‘unfair, inequitable, and unrepresentative of the general population’. It noted that FPP ‘favours the election of middle-class, middle-aged pakeha (upper-income) males.
In 1996 the introduction of the Mixed Member Proportional (MMP) Representation system enabled Maori to gain representation in Parliament proportional to their population size for the first time. Without Maori seats in Parliament and ministerial appointments to health boards allowed for in legislation, Maori would be left very marginal in all areas of governance. In the current political climate these special mechanisms are wrongly being called privileges.
Comedian Mike King summed it up succinctly when he delivered a message to what he called ‘all those worshippers of the democratic system’: ‘I have this to say: democracy only works when you are the majority. As soon as you become the minority, it’s a pretty stink system … just ask Maori’.
Conclusion
New Zealand, through its colonial history, has been designed primarily to benefit pakeha. Maori were required to fit into pakeha culture and systems. Only the exotic features of Maori culture were encouraged, where they benefited the country in areas such as tourism and sport.
The legacy is the exclusion of an enormously rich indigenous culture – the marginalisation of an entire way of life.
The appalling record of intergenerational discrimination against Maori needs to be considered alongside the contemporary assertions of Maori privilege. In the mid-1980s New Zealand began to move towards being a more Treaty-based, bicultural society – one that began to recognise the existence of Maori culture in its structures. It has been a painfully slow change for Maori, and an extremely rich experience for those pakeha who faced their fears and had the courage to begin the bicultural journey. Tragically, in 2004, white supremacy has reasserted itself in all its ugliness, as the major political parties compete to take New Zealand back to a time when Maori ‘knew their place’ and white was right. But it wont happen, can’t happen, because Maori, after 165 years of marginalisation, are better equipped than ever to confront the racism of the political system and find a way forward, drawing on their own strength and the inspiration of their tipuna.
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TE TIRITI O WAITANGI
HE KUPU WHAKTAKI,
Ko Wikitoria, te Kuini o Ingarani, i tana mahara atawai ki nga Rangatira me nga Hapu o Nu Tirani, i tana hiahia hoki kia tohungia ki a ratou o ratou rangatiratanga, me to ratou wenua, a kia mau tonu hoki te Rongo ki a ratou me te ata noho hoki, kua waka (a)ro ia he mea tika kia tukua mai tetahi Rangatira hei kaiwakarite ki nga tangata Maori o Nu Tirani. Kia wakaaetia e nga Rangatira Maori te Kawanatanga o te Kuini ki nga wahi katoa o te wenua nei me nga motu. Na te mea hoki he tokomaha ke nga tangata o tona iwi kua noho ki tenei wenua, a e haere mai nei.
Na ko te Kuini e hiahia ana kia wakaritea te Kawanatanga, kia kaua ai nga kino e puta mai ki te tangata Maori ki te Pakeha e noho ture kore ana.
Na kua pai te Kuini kia tukua ahau, a Wiremu Hopihana, he Kapitana i te Roiara Nawi, he Kawana mo nga wahi katoa o Nu Tirani i tukua aianei a mua atu ki te Kuini; e mea atu ana ia ki nga Rangatira o te Wakaminenga o nga Hapu o Nu Tirangi, me era Rangatira atu enei ture ka korerotia nei
KO TE TUATAHI,
Ko nga Rangatira o te Wakaminenga, me nga Rangatira katoa hoki, kihai i uru ki taua Wakaminenga, ka tuku rawa atu ki te Kuini o Ingarani ake tonu atu te Kawanatanga katoa o ace ratou wenua.
KO TE TUARUA,
Ko te Kuini o Ingarani ka wakarite ka wakaae ki nga Rangatira, ki nga Hapu, ki nga tangata katoa o Nu Tirani, te tino Rangatiratanga o wakame ratou wenua o ratou kainga me o ratou taonga katoa. Otiia ko nga Rangatira o te Wakaminenga, me nga Rangatira katoa atu ka tuku ki te Kuini te hokonga o era wahi wenua e pai ai te tangata nona te wenua ki te ritenga o te utu e wakaritea ai e ratou, ko te kaihoko e meatia nei e te Kuini hei kaihoko mona.
KO TE TUATORU,
Hei wakaritenga mai hoki tenei mot e wakaaetanga ki te Kawanatanga o te Kuini. Ka tiakina e te Kuini o Ingarangi nga tangata Maori katoa o Nu Tirangi. Ka tukua ki a ratou nga tikanga katoa rite tahi ki ana mea, ki nga tangata a Ingarani.
KO TE TUAWA
E mea ana te Kawana ko nga wakapono katoa o Ingarani, o nga Weteriana, o Roma, me te ritenga Maori hoki e tiakina ngatahitia e ia.
Na, ko matou, ko nga Rangatira o te Wakaminenga o nga Hapu o Nu Tirani, ka huihui nei ki Waitangi. Ko matou hoki ko nga Rangatira o Nu Tirani, ka kite nei i te ritenga o enei kupu ka tangohia, ka wakaaetia katoatia e matou. Koia ka tohungaia ai o matou ingoa o matou tohu.
Ka meatia tenei ki Waitangi, i te ono o nga ra o Pepueri, i te tau kotahi mano, e waru, e wa tekau o to tatou Ariki.
THE TREATY OF WAITANGI
AN EXPRESSION IN ENGLISH OF THE TEXT IN TE REO
(Signed at Waitangi on the 6th February 1840 and afterwards around the country by over 500 Rangatira)
Victoria, the Queen of England, in her gracious thoughtfulness to the Rangatira and Hapu of New Zealand, and in her desire to record both her recognition of their paramount authority and that the lands are theirs, so that all may live in peace and good order, has thought it right to send an officer to make arrangements with the Maori people of New Zealand. Let the Rangatira agree to the Kawanatanga (governorship – the delegated duty to govern Pakeha and other non-Maori) of the Queen over all parts of this land and its islands. This is to be done because a great number of her people have settled in this country, and others will come.
The Queen desires to arrange Kawanatanga so that no evil will come to the Maori people or to the Pakeha, who are living here in a state of lawlessness.
Now the Queen has been pleased to send me, William Hobson, a Captain in the Royal Navy, to be the Kawana for all parts of New Zealand which have been allocated, or shall be allocated, to the Queen. And she says to the Rangatira of the Confederation of the Hapu of New Zealand and the other Rangatira, these are the laws spoken of:
THIS IS THE FIRST
The Rangatira of the Confederation and all the other Rangatira who have not joined the Confederation delegate Kawanatanga to the Queen of England forever for lands entrusted to Pakeha and other non-Maori.
THIS IS THE SECOND
The Queen of England will make the arrangements and recognises the Tino Rangatiratanga (retained paramount and ultimate authority, which includes sovereignty) of the Rangatira, Hapu and all the people of New Zealand over their lands, villages and everything else that is held precious. But the Rangatira of the Confederation and all the other Rangatira allow the Queen to trade for the use of those pieces of land that the owners consent to allocate, subject to agreement over payment which will be agreed to between the Rangatira and an agent who will be appointed by the Queen.
THIS IS THE THIRD
This is the arrangement for the agreement to the Queen’s Kawanatanga. The Queen will care for all the Maori people of New Zealand and ensure that they have the same access to the laws and customs as the people of England.
THIS IS THE FOURTH
The Governor says that all faiths – those of England, of the Wesleyans, of Rome and also Maori custom and religion – shall all alike be protected by him.
(This fourth article was agreed to before any of the Rangatira had signed the Treaty. It came about when the Catholic Bishop Pompallier asked Hobson that there be a guarantee of freedom of religion. The Anglican missionary William Colenso subsequently worded the article then Hobson and the Rangatira agreed to it.)
Now we, the Rangatira of the Confederation of the Hapu of New Zealand, assembled here at Waitangi and we, the other Rangatira of New Zealand, understand the intent of these words and agree to their entirety, and so we put here our names and our marks.
Done at Waitangi on the 6th day of February in the year of our Lord 1840
Network Waitangi Otautahi [www].nwo.org.nz April 2018
An English Version
PREAMBLE
Her Majesty, Victoria, Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, regarding with Her Royal Favour the Native Chiefs and Tribes of New Zealand, and anxious to protect their just Rights and Property and to secure to them the enjoyment of Peace and Good Order, has deemed it necessary, in consequence of the great number of Her Majesty’s Subjects who have already settled in New Zealand, and the rapid extension of Emigration both from Europe and Australia which is still in progress, to constitute and appoint a functionary properly authorised to treat with the Aborigines of New Zealand for the recognition of Her Majesty’s Sovereign authority over the whole or any part of these islands. Her Majesty therefore being desirous to establish a settled form of Civil Government with a view to avert the evil consequences which must result from the absence of the necessary Laws and Institutions alike to the native population and to Her subjects has been graciously pleased to empower and to authorise me William Hobson, a captain in Her Majesty’s Royal Navy, Consul, and Lieutenant-Governor of such parts of New Zealand as may be or hereafter shall be ceded to Her Majesty, to invite the confederated and independent Chiefs of New Zealand to concur in the following Articles and Conditions.
ARTICLE THE FIRST
The chiefs of the Confederation of the United Tribes of New Zealand and the separate and independent Chiefs who have not become members of the Confederation, cede to Her Majesty the Queen of England, absolutely and without reservation, all the rights and powers of Sovereignty which the said Confederation or Individual Chiefs respectively exercise or possess, or may be supposed to exercise or to possess over their respective Territories as the sole Sovereigns thereof.
ARTICLE THE SECOND
Her Majesty the Queen of England confirms and guarantees to the Chiefs and Tribes of New Zealand and to the respective families and individuals thereof, the full exclusive and undisturbed possession of their Lands and Estates, Forest, Fisheries, and other properties which they may collectively or individually possess, so long as it is their wish and desire to maintain the same in their possession; but the Chiefs of the United Tribes and the Individual Chiefs yield to Her Majesty the exclusive right of Pre-emption over such lands as the proprietors thereof may be disposed to alienate, at such prices as may be agreed upon between the respective Proprietors and persons appointed by Her Majesty to treat with them in that behalf.
ARTICLE THE THIRD
In consideration thereof, Her Majesty the Queen of England extends to the Natives of New Zealand Her royal protection and imparts to them all the Rights and Privileges of British Subjects.
Now therefore, We the Chiefs of the Confederation of the United Tribes of New Zealand being assembled in Congress at Victoria, in Waitangi and We the Separate and Independent Chiefs of New Zealand claiming authority over the Tribes and Territories which are specified after our respective names, having been made fully to understand the Provisions of the foregoing Treaty, accept and enter into the same in the full spirit and meaning thereof. In witness of which, we have attached our signatures or marks at the places and the dates respectively specified.
Done at Waitangi, this Sixth Day of February in the year of Our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and forty.
Note: There was no record on the English version of the agreement on the protection of religious freedom and customary law (The Fourth Article)
[Facing page]
AS YOU CAN SEE THERE ARE TWO DOCUMENTS:
THE TREATY IN TE REO
(including its expression into English)
AND THE ENGLISH VERSION
The Treaty in the Maori language was signed by Captain Hobson and over 500 Rangatira, over 40 of them at Waitangi on February 6th 1840.
The English version, only written after February 6th, was signed at Port Waikato/Manukau, where the discussion would have of the content of the Maori text, but the English version was signed (by approximately 40 Rangatira).
WHEN TWO DOCUMENTS CONFLICT
In International Law where there is any ambiguity
the contra proferentem principle applies, which means that a decision is made against the party that drafts the document
the indigenous language text takes preference
In oral cultures such as Maori, verbal agreements take preference over what is written.
This means that for the Treaty of Waitangi the text in te reo takes precedence on all these counts
IN NOVEMBER 2014 THE WAITANGI TRIBUNAL SUMMARISED THEIR CONCLUSIONS ON THE NGA PUHI CLAIM (WAI 1040)
The rangatira who signed te Tiriti o Waitangi in February 1840 did not cede their sovereignty to Britain. That is, they did not cede authority to make and enforce law over their people or their territories.
The rangatira agreed to share power and authority with Britain. They agreed to the Governor having authority to control British subjects in New Zealand, and thereby keep the peace and protect Maori interests.
The rangatira consented to the treaty on the basis that they and the Governor were to be equals, though they were to have different roles and different spheres of influence. The detail of how this relationship would work in practice, especially where the Maori and European populations intermingled, remained to be negotiated over time on a case-by-case basis.
The rangatira agreed to enter into land transactions with the Crown, and the Crown promised to investigate pre-treaty land transactions and to return any land that had not been properly acquired from Maori.,
The rangatira appear to have agreed that the Crown would protect them from foreign threats and represent them in international affairs, where that was necessary.
THE TREATY
is an instrument of the Declaration of Independence of New Zealand – He Wakaputanga o te Rangatiratanga o Nu Tireni – which was made on 28 October 1835. It is between the Crown and the many Hapu.
Tino Rangatiratanga was retained by Maori in Article Two of the Treaty.
Kawanatanga was granted to the Crown in Article One.
Article Three assured to Maori access to the same laws and customs as the people of England.
The Fourth Article guaranteed Crown protection of religious freedom for all.
It established a relationship with Maori, giving pakeha and other settlers a place – if it is honoured.
In 1840 ‘pakeha’ referred to all those who were not Maori – now often referred to as ‘tangata Tiriti’
Network Waitangi Otautahi [www].nwo.org.nz April 2018
HE WAKAPUTANGA O TE RANGATIRATANGA O NU TIRENI
THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE OF NEW ZEALAND
28 October 1835
is an international declaration
was signed on 28 October 1835
was witnessed by the Crown Resident
1. Ko matou, ko nga Tino Rangatira o nga iwi o Nu Tireni i raro mai o Hauraki kua oti nei te huihui i Waitangi i Tokerau i te ra 28 o Oketopa 1835, ka wakaputa i te Rangatiratanga o to matou wenua a ka meatia ka wakaputaia e matou he Wenua Rangatira, kia huaina ‘ko te Wakaminenga o nga Hapu o Nu Tireni’.
2. Ko te Kingitanga ko te mana i te wenua o te wakaminenga o Nu Tireni ka meatia nei kei nga Tino Rangatira anake i to matou huihuinga, A ka mea hoki e kore e tukua e matou te wakarite ture ki te tahi hunga ke atu, me te tahi Kawanatanga hoki kia meatia i te wenua o te wakaminenga o Nu Tireni. Ko nga tangata anake e meatia nei e matou e wakarite ana ki te ritenga o o matou ture e meatia nei e matou i to matou huihuinga.
3. Ko matou ko nga Tino Rangatira ke mea nei kia huihui ki te runanga ki Waitangi a te Ngahuru i tenei tau i tenei tau ki te wakarite ture kia tika ai te wakawakanga, kia mau pu te rongo, kia mutu te he, kia tika te hokohoko. A, ka mea hoki ki nga tauiwi o runga, kia wakarerea te wawai, kia mahara ai ke te wakaoranga o to matou wenua, a, kia uru ratou ki te wakaminenga o Nu Tireni.
4. Ka mea matou kia tuhituhia he pukapuka ki te ritenga o tenei o to matou wakaputanga nei ki te Kingi o Ingarani hei kawe atu i to matou aroha nana hoki i wakaae ki te Kara mo matou. A, no te mea ka atawai matou, ka tiaki i nga pakeha e noho nei i uta, e rere mai ana ki te hokohoko, koia ka mea ai matou ki te Kingi kia waiho hei matua ki a matou i to matou Tamarikitanga kei wakakahoretia to matou Rangatiratanga.
Kua wakaaetia katoatia e matou i tenei ra, i te 28 Oketopa 1835, ki te aroaro o te Reireneti o te Kingi o Ingarani.
1. We the hereditary chiefs and heads of the tribes of the Northern parts of New Zealand, being assembled at Waitangi in the Bay of Islands, on this 28th day of October, 1835, declare the independence of our country which is hereby constituted and declared to be an Independent State under the designation of ‘the United Tribes of New Zealand’.
2. All sovereign power and authority within the territories of the united tribes of New Zealand is hereby declared to reside entirely and exclusively in the hereditary chiefs and heads of tribes in their collective capacity, who also declare that they will not permit any legislative authority separate from themselves in their collective capacity, nor any function of government to be exercised within the said territories, unless by persons appointed by them and acting under the authority of laws regularly enacted by them in Congress assembled.
3. The hereditary chiefs and heads of tribes agree to meet in Congress at Waitangi in the autumn of each year for the purpose of framing laws for the dispensation of justice, the preservation of peace and good order, and the regulation of trade. They also cordially invite the southern tribes to lay aside their private animosities and to consult the safety and welfare of our common country by joining the Confederation of the United Tribes
4. They also agree to send a copy of this Declaration to His Majesty the King of England to thank him for his acknowledgement of their flag. In return for the friendship and protection that they have shown and are prepared to show to such of his subjects as have settled in their country or resorted to its shores for the purposes of trade, they entreat that he will continue to be the parent of their infant State to protect it from all attempts upon its independence.
Agreed to in its entirety by us on this 28th day of October 1835, in the presence of His Britannic Majesty’s Resident.
was the forerunner of the Treaty of Waitangi
has a flag to symbolise tribal rights to trade as independent nations.
More information available from Network Waiutangi Otautahi [www].nwo.org.nz September 2018
PAT @ WAITANGI 2020.
Best Waitangi year ever for networking!
Clockwise from top left Waitangi Day celebrations 2020 – oh what a year: Pat with Dover Samuels; PM Jacinda Ardern; with Farrell Cleary and Pania Newton; Tama Iti; Pat shields his phone from the sun’s glare; Paihia PR and photography team Kartini and Steve Martin; John Campbell, and Ron Marks. Awesome day!
“The crux in fully honouring Te Tiriti is about power, about rebalancing and redistribution and that’s a significant challenge but also a great opportunity.”
INTRODUCING SHARON ANNETT
Based in Otautahi, Christchurch, Sharon, who runs Treaty Education, has led Treaty workshops in Christchurch, Te Waipounamu, Hawke’s Bay as well as throughout the country. She has more than 20 years broad teaching experience from early childhood through to adults, as well as in mainstream, bilingual, total immersion and rural and urban locations. With her life-long passion for Te Reo Maori, Sharon weaves together her diverse experiences, skills and knowledge to facilitate Te Tiriti learning, and nurture change with people from a broad range of groups and organisations.
In 2008 she moved to Hawke’s Bay with her husband Bevan Tipene and their three children, Tuanui, Waiotaha and Mitarina. Bevan was Ngati Kahungunu from Porongauhau and the couple wanted their kids to connect deeply with their father’s side of the whanau as well. Sadly Bevan passed in 2010 and the family eventually returned to Otautahi, where in 2015 Sharon started working with Robert Consedine, in what became a fortuitous collaboration. Sharon eventually worked with a number of Robert’s clients, leaving him free to retire with an easy mind, knowing his vision for Treaty training was in safe hands.
The Treaty of Waitangi principle calls for schools and teachers to deliver a curriculum that:
acknowledges the Treaty of Waitangi principles.
acknowledges our nation’s bicultural foundations.
enables students to acquire knowledge of te reo Maori and tikanga Maori.
March 2020
[nzcurriculum].tki.org.nz>Principles>Treaty-of-Waitangi
“More people are acknowledging that if we want to do the right thing, we need to honour the original intent of the Maori text of Te Tiriti, so yes, there is definitely a changing landscape, and around the constitutional conversation as well. People are asking, “If we were to honour Te Tiriti, what would running our country look like?’ A lot of people are really quite open to that conversation.”
Above: Tipene Whanau land at Porongauhau [Porangahau].
WHAKAPAPA
WHAKAPAPA IS OUR SENSE OF IDENTITY AND CONNECTION … TO OUR ANCESTORS, AND THE GENERATIONS BEFORE US, AND TO THE PLACES WE CALL HOME. IT’S IMPORTANT BECAUSE “WHERE WE WHAKAPAPA TO” SHAPES US FOREVER.
WHERE DO YOU WHAKAPAPA TO?
OTAUTAHI
“AN ORIGIN STORY”
INTRODUCING TREATY TRAINING
“Treaty education is about helping people to address the why; why Te Tiriti o Waitangi is relevant and important, personally and professionally. This starts with the who (relationships) and moves through to making the Treaty real in our places of work and in our lives,” Sharon says.
Sharon’s mahi is guided by the whakatauki: te houhanga rongo te kupu. The message is reconciliation. This is facilitated through workshops, which offer safe environments where participants can address Te Tiriti and its implications through a gentle, participatory process.
In terms of Te Tiriti education, what did the landscape look like in 2015?
The reception was open and keen although the level of knowledge and understanding wasn’t high. There’s still a long way to go but there has been a sea change in attitude and an openness to people thinking; “We need to get our heads around this. We need to understand this”. That’s reflected too with Te Reo Maori, where we now have waiting lists around the country of mainly middle class pakeha wanting to learn Maori and it’s the same with Te Tiriti.
Increasingly people are wanting to learn more than just the historical narrative, they want to understand contemporary issues too. Such as, “How do we embody this?” and “How do we put this into action?” and then really drill down into what can we [can] do in an organisation or as individuals to make significant change.
Te Tiriti training doesn’t feel mainstream yet. Do you see this happening any time soon?
Not to diminish what’s happening in Te Reo but it’s easier in some ways than teaching Te Tiriti. The crux in fully honouring Te Tiriti is about power, about rebalancing and redistribution and that’s a significant challenge, but also a great opportunity. In terms of Te Reo you can dip in and dip out whereas with te Tiriti, what’s involved first is understanding Aotearoa’s story and making our history a core part of our curriculum throughout schools. This will be significant in terms of working towards Te Tiriti becoming mainstream.
Are you feeling positive about the direction Treaty curriculum planning has taken?
Yes. There seems to have been broad acceptance so far and the curriculum is now in the consultation phase and will be confirmed in the middle of this year. My particular interest is looking at what’s going to work for teachers and what’s not, and how do we make sure this happens and happens well.
Do you feel Te Tiriti training is getting to enough influential decision makers consistently?
I think it is, increasingly so. For example the Ministry of Education is making some real progress. They want all their staff throughout the country to do a two day Te Tiriti workshop and although I’m based on Otautahi, I have spent the past six months at the Ministry for the Environment in Wellington. A lot of Te Tiriti training goes
Above: It’s all about the origin story, the whakapapa.
Healing our History through Te Tiriti 203
“One of the keys to the rebalancing of relationship, and particularly power and resources is education for Tangata Tiriti / Pakeha to gain knowledge and understanding and to embrace the Treaty as a partner. One of the biggest blocks at present is fear based upon ignorance.”
on in the capital but I still get surprised at some of the anecdotal evidence I hear.
More people are acknowledging that if we want to do the right thing, we need to honour the original intent of the Maori text of Te Tiriti so there’s definitely a changing landscape, and around the constitutional conversation as well. People are starting to ask, “How would we run our country if we were to honour Te Tiriti? And a lot are really quite open to that conversation.
Do you think honouring Te Tiriti o Waitangi needs specialised teachers?
Yes, ideally. You can give teachers the knowledge and processes but unless they have empathy and the right intent, which is actually more important than the knowledge, then the teaching might not be as effective.
How can we do better?
I think pakeha and non-Maori need to be more courageous and brave in our conversations. If we come across ignorance, instead of saying nothing, we can say, “Actually, I don’t share that point of view”. We can do better by opening up conversations within our communities and workplaces. That’s one of the biggest blocks to Maori getting on and fulfilling their own aspirations; when people attend workshops and take on board Te Tiriti but don’t share that new knowledge.
ECAN GETS ON BOARD WITH TE TIRITI
Are we getting past the ‘lip service’ stage of Treaty education, of people going through the motions of learning about Te Tiriti, to genuinely connecting with it?
In some areas more than others. Different places are in different spaces and Environment Canterbury (ECAN) is a good example of that. They had a poor relationship with Ngai Tahu prior to commissioners coming in following the sacking of the Christchurch City Council in March 2010. One of the first jobs the commissioners were tasked with was improving the relationship with Ngai Tahu and that was the beginning of a new way. As an organisation ECAN has come a long way. Through the Tuia programme, which helps groups and individuals understand what it means to be a good Treaty partner, ECAN now has a deep commitment as an organisation to Te Tiriti.
Friday 6 September 2019 marked a significant moment in the relationship journey between Environment Canterbury and Ngai Tahu. It was celebrated appropriately too, with the unveiling of a mauri pounamu, which is now located in the atrium of the Environment Canterbury, Tuam Street building in Christchurch. Initially the relationship wasn’t one of trust, and it took work on both sides to bring it to a place worthy of acknowledgment, a relationship now based on respect, good faith, and a shared need to work together. The pounamu was entrusted into the care of Environment Canterbury from Ngai Tahu, under the permission, blessing, and guidance of the Ngati Mahaki hapu of Makaawhio, South Westland.
Sharon Annett and Robert Consedine, the Treaty Workshop team beside the mauri pounamu; celebrating the Tuia relationship with ECAN – a significant journey.
204
EXPERIENCED FACILITATOR SAYS TREATY AWARENESS IS ON A ROLL.
Robert Consedine facilitated workshops on the Treaty of Waitangi for 30 years and is considered one of the best facilitators in the country. One year before Treaty principles will be taught in school up to year 10, Robert is enjoying a slower pace. On the eve of Waitangi Weekend 2021, he shares his thoughts and experiences of Treaty training and when Aotearoa might see true biculturalism.
Do you think parents should learn the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi at the same time as their children, to help minimise resistance that children could experience from some parents?
In an ideal world parents would be Treaty literate, but if you look at public opinion it moves very slowly over a long time. Some parents will be on board and some of them won’t but I certainly think a Parent Night with a trained facilitator running it would be a good start. The problem with these sessions though is that people come along with enough questions to ask for a two day workshop and facilitators need to have the skills to help them unlock the meaning behind their questions.
What we do in Treaty workshops is help people explore why they think the way they do but that takes a reasonable amount of facilitative skill. Using follow up questions, you then draw out of them what they already know and take them in a direction. You can take them through a whole process and you may not have told them anything, which is important because people are
Above: Healing Our History: it’s the only way to go; Pat on the back for another successful Treaty Workshop with Kerry Kitione and author of Healing Our History, Robert Consedine; On the Parihaka Peace Hikoi in 2016. Image Courtesy @ Stuff.
Healing our History through Te Tiriti 205
very resistant to being told things. The golden rule is, facts don’t change people because people decide how they feel about facts. And when you give facts, you have to be very careful.
Over the years, Treaty training has become more specialised. We have to think long term and allow this thing to evolve. Think about Nga Tamatoa, the Maori activist group in the ‘70s; they’ve had to wait a long time. Think about the Maori Language petition of 1972, think how long it has taken for Maori language to emerge again. Think about the Great Land March of 1975; think about Bastion Point in 1978, and the Raglan Golf Course in 1982. These are all high profile cases and most of the people fighting these causes would have died not knowing whether their efforts had paid off.
Think 1984 and the new Labour Government and Geoffrey Palmer, when he brings in what are called Principles of the Treaty, which are not the Treaty but they are a small step; and then Sir Robin Cooke who presided over a famous court case in 1987 and ruled that the Treaty is binding on the Crown.
So here we are 21 years later and the whole Treaty relationship is beginning to emerge, even in the schools. So I think for schools, think a generation. Sadly I think this generation of teachers, unless they’re already doing Treaty work, are unlikely to be very effective. It saddens and puzzles me that of the 200 plus organisations and workshops that I’ve worked with and facilitated, very few attendees have been teachers. I would have put them first on the list but no one has ever come to me and said “Our teachers need to know this”.
Ngati Kahungunu used to be a busy hub for Treaty Workshops but there’s no regular training happening in the region now. What’s happened and is it similar around the country?
Taking Treaty workshops is challenging. You’re facilitating for change on a complex issue.
Another part of workshops is getting the work. If you present a workshop that doesn’t work well, word will get around.
When facilitating I would say to every group, if you think this workshop is worth doing tell everyone; family, workmates, people you meet on the street. Pat was a champion at this! I used to have waiting lists because the people who attended, spread the word.
I have an advantage over some workshop leaders I think because of my backstory; my Irish heritage; travelling to Rome in the early 60s; connecting with the Women’s liberation movement in the late 60s; travelling through South East Asia in the early 70s and going to China and North Korea. I went to places that were colonised and got a global feel for what colonisation was about. Those experiences built my confidence so I decided as a white, articulate male pakeha, back in New Zealand that I would tackle the top of the system. I would identify CEOs in Wellington and Christchurch and first of all I would send them some material, introducing myself. Before I did Treaty training I’d been involved in anti-Vietnam war protesting and I worked for CORSO for eight years. I’ve been to two wars plus I was a prolific reader so by the time I started I had a global context to put it in not just what happened to Maori but what happened to Aborigines, the Irish, the Scots and so on.
I also trained for 10 years on and off in using Sociodrama, Psychodrama and Action training methods. People didn’t sit very long in workshops with me, they were up and down and it makes a huge difference.
When do you see biculturalism happening in Aotearoa; true power sharing, by honouring Te Tiriti?
I see true biculturalism in evolutionary terms. I would say the relationship is always going to be evolving as it is at the moment, and it is evolving at speed. But it depends what it looks like, particularly for Maori. The challenge is that governments have to take the population with them otherwise they’re no longer the government and that’s why education is so vital at every level. Younger generations are slowly being brought up with the possibilities of biculturalism in a variety of ways. The influence is out there with a myriad of things, whether it’s through broadcasting, government departments, local government, health boards, community organisations. There is something evolving in pretty much all those organisations and the evolution will continue. There will always be something new to discuss and develop. The odd thing might backfire as it does with change, but I think we’re on a roll. We’re living in exciting times and I’m full of hope for how Treaty education is evolving.
I think government funding for Treaty education is a must, to ensure that this next and probably most important step in Aotearoa’s future, will work for all. From 1987 to 1990, as part of New Zealand’s 150 year commemoration celebrations and Project Waitangi, Treaty workshops were funded with this in mind. That really created a buzz around the whole Treaty education space and it would be great to see that again.
206 Healing our History through Te Tiriti
I hadn’t grown up in New Zealand having to deal with the emotion that all those horrendous statics [statistics] in health, education, poverty, homelessness and disproportionate incarceration rates against my culture, are a direct result of policies put in place from the ideology and world-view of another culture.
LESSONS FROM A RECOVERING RACIST
BY ANDREW JUDD,
A transcription of his TED Talk, November 2017
Tena koutou, tena koutou, tena koutou katoa. Ko Andrew Judd ingoa.
On 8th October 1769, Captain James Cook of the British Royal Navy and in command of the HMS Endeavour, sailed into a bay in the North Island of New Zealand. This day was to be the first encounter between the indigenous people of New Zealand, the Maori, and the British.
Maori were name Europeans, pakeha. Seventy-one years later, on the 6th February 1840, the British Crown and most Maori Chiefs signed a treaty known as the Treaty of Waitangi. This Treaty was to be the founding document between two cultures. It laid out the partnership principles to build a new nation whilst protecting the indigenous rights of the Maori. The Treaty was written in two languages, Te Reo Maori and English. The two texts did not translate to match each other.
Following the Treaty signing, New Zealand saw mass European immigration and the colonisation of New Zealand and, with a greed for Maori land, the New Zealand Government passed legislation against Maori, which contravened human rights. Disputes led to war, the consequence to Maori was mass Maori land confiscation and theft by the Crown. This forced Maori into social and economic deprivation, and isolation. Continuous New Zealand governments would ignore and breech the Treaty of Waitangi and, to this day, in New Zealand, exists recent legislation that works against Maori.
Someone once said to me: “Maori are lazy; Maori fill our jails; elite Maori rort the system for their own gain and the others just want social welfare handouts; Maori are lucky, they got saved by the British and their language is all but dead and I’m sick and tired of hearing about the past; they have to get over it and move on; we are all one now”. Do you know who said that to me? I said that to me. My name is Andrew Judd and I am a recovering racist.
In 2013 I was elected mayor of New Plymouth district and one of my first challenges was to question Maori representation on the Council. In New Zealand, under the Local Government Act councils are required to include Maori in the decision-making of councils. One of the options to fulfil this requirement is to establish an elected seat on council for Maori, just as we have elected seats for Maori in our Parliament.
Having tried and failed to secure Maori voices on council sub-committees, our council voted to establish an elected Maori seat. This decision ignited an angry community response, a response that I recognised and with which I could identify. Until I was elected mayor, I had never set foot on a marae. I had no understanding or appreciation of Maori values, customs or protocols. I couldn’t even pronounce basic Maori New Zealand place names.
As the mayor I was engaging with Maori in a Maori environment. I was witnessing the challenges that exist for Maori and the consequences of colonisation that are so very real for Maori. Their eyes spoke of the inter-generational trauma as I heard of the full history of New Zealand’s colonial past.
Healing our History through Te Tiriti 207
Pakeha are also the solution. Challenge the fear that someone else has put there, we are not born this way. Truly, truly, truly learn of our full colonial past. Not to name, shame or to blame but to understand, to have empathy. Demand of each other that we acknowledge our Treaty, that we celebrate, respect our differences but, and above all, look into your heart and ask yourself the questions because only you can be honest with you.
As I took all of this in, I was having an internal conflict. This new experience with Maoridom was at odds with my deep-seated belief of who I thought Maori were and are. My sanitised colonial view of New Zealand’s history was getting challenged to the core as I discovered I knew nothing. How could this be? Let’s be honest, in main stream New Zealand, we raise our children to have no knowledge of New Zealand’s full colonial past. We don’t talk about it, we don’t teach it, we simply demand that Maori get over it.
I decided to challenge and ask myself some deep, inner personal questions. Could I, as a New Zealand-born-and-raised pakeha, or could anyone non-Maori, truly explain or define the ‘It’ in the statement levelled at Maori: “Get over it?”
I hadn’t grown up in New Zealand having to deal with the emotional knowledge that my ancestral land had been stolen by my Government, my Treaty partner, and sold off to fund the infrastructure that built a nation that we enjoy today; or knowing the Crown of today recognised that was wrong but doubled-down by offering a few measly cents in the dollar in compensation.
I hadn’t grown up in New Zealand having to deal with the emotion and knowledge that my native language had been actively denied and removed by the education system. I hadn’t grown up in New Zealand having to experience life as a minority in my own country. I cant define or explain the ‘it’ because ‘it’ never happened to me and yet, without any inner moral dialogue to ever stop and consider my thoughts, my words or my attitude I felt I had some right to place an expectation, a judgement onto Maori; an expectation and a judgement that had never been placed on me.
The ease at which I deflected these questions was amazing. I didn’t want to know. I was thinking about the situation but there were no consequences for me and did I care? Life goes on for me. I decided to ask myself why I got so angry, really angry, whenever I considered anything to do with Maoridom. I couldn’t look at a Maori flag without feeling somehow intimidated. I’d say things like: “This is what happened throughout history. They can’t be stuck there forever. It’s just one long grievance train. When will enough be enough? Move on.”
But why was I feeling so angry if my thinking was the truth? The truth should set me free and I shouldn’t be feeling conflicted. What’s wrong with me? I’d tell myself that at least we’re not like Australia. It was an odd thing to say and could it mean that I wouldn’t admit how bad I was but I’d judge how bad I felt based on someone else or another country that I think is worse?
My ultimate ‘get out of having to think about it’ card was to deflect the blame. “Don’t blame me. I didn’t steal the land or stop the language. It’s not my fault”. No, I didn’t steal the land or stop the language but I have remained completely ignorant; an ignorance that drove an
208 Healing our History through Te Tiriti
attitude that, in so many ways, justifies what was done, but, even worse, continues to colonise.
I’d try to justify my attitude by saying: “We are all one, now”. So, if we are all one then let’s all be Maori. After all, whose view of ‘one’ are we following. Yes, we are one citizen but to suggest that we are one is to deny Maori the right to identify and be Maori. Who gave me that right? Then, I questioned my own culture. I’m not Maori but I’m not British or English either. I’m a pakeha New Zealander, so what’s my culture?
What would I wear if I was invited to a gathering for a meal of cultures from around the world? Black singlet, shorts, Redband gumboots? Well, I’m not a farmer. A rugby jersey? I thought deeper than that; not about sport or a job or iconic products like buzzy bees and Tip Top ice cream but about my cultural values and what I believe in. what do I stand for? What would I fall for? I certainly grab Maori culture when it suits, such as a haka before a rugby match and powhiri, which is the traditional Maori welcoming of foreign dignitaries. Yep, absolutely but hang on, I don’t know how to do a haka and I don’t even know what it means or what they are saying, but we are all one, right?
My community was at odds with this whole question of Maori representation, as indeed was the country and, although New Zealand legislation allows for a council to establish an elected seat for Maori, just as we have elected seats for Maori in Parliament, New Zealand legislation also allows for a community to demand a binding referendum on that decision. No other seat on the Council hinges on binding referendums, it is only the Maori representation.
On May 15, 2015, 175 years since the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi, 83 percent of my community who voted in that referendum said ‘no’. Having stood for and championed for fairer representation as Treaty partners, life was never to be the same for me.
I was in Waitara, a beautiful town in Taranaki getting some lunch and, as I was at the counter paying for my lunch, this Maori gentleman came up and said “I want to pay for your lunch”. I said he didn’t have to do that but he told me he’d be offended if I didn’t allow him to pay. “I saw you walk in and I was too shy to come over, but I had to. Not many stand up for my people and I’d like to pay for your lunch”, he said. A beautiful humbling moment. I thanked him and left but waiting on the pavement was a gentleman who came at me and said ‘I voted for you to sort these natives out and you’ve mucked it up and we all hate you for it, hate you”. But my realisation was that I could not judge this angry man, for he is me and I am him; both pakeha with a deep, unjust fear within.
I decided to not seek re-election at the end of my term. I was to be a one term mayor, not because I didn’t want to. This wasn’t a question of potholes on roads, art galleries, parks and rates; this was a question of who we are as New Zealanders, how we care and love each other. I couldn’t become the bait for the hate of an election campaign.
Not only do we remain divided, the children are watching, the children are learning. You know I don’t speak on behalf of, or for, pakeha. I speak as pakeha, and in all of those horrendous statistics that we talk about for Maoridom – in health, education, poverty, incarceration rates – pakeha are the problem. We always have been, we take no ownership of anything into our hearts. We simply point and blame Maori not only for what we did but what we continue to do. It’s bad enough that we lie to the world about how horrendously we have treated Maori but it is worse that we lie to ourselves.
Pakehas are also the solution. Challenge the fear that someone else has put there, we are not born this way. Truly, truly, truly learn of our full colonial past. Not to name, shame or to blame but to understand, to have empathy. Demand of each other that we acknowledge our Treaty, that we celebrate, respect our differences but, above all, look into your heart and ask yourself the questions because only you can be honest with you and as the prophets of peace so messaged humanity:
He honore, he kororia ki te Atua
Honour and Glory to God
He maunga-rongo ki te whenua
Peace on Earth
He wakaaro pai ki nga (flat accent above a) tangato (accent 1st a) katoa (all on one line)
Goodwill to all Mankind
(The words from Te Whiti o Rongomai and Tohu Kakahi, Parihaka)
Healing our History through Te Tiriti 209
LEADING FROM THE FRONT, A VOCAL ADVOCATE FOR LOVE, INCLUSION & A BETTER NEW ZEALAND
BY ANDREW JUDD
It was the 15th June 2016 and at 9.30am we took the first steps on a three day peace walk from the New Plymouth District Council Chambers to Parihaka.
It’s a moment in time etched into my memory because not only was I seeing out my mayoralty with a Peace walk but it was to become my first meeting with a Mr Pat Magill.
The crowds had gathered in support of the message of peace and promoting new conversations that break the cultural divide. As we made our way to the city limits I was introduced to Pat Magill.
I was completely inspired to learn that Pat had not only made the trip from Napier to walk with us, but was leading from the front, a vocal advocate for love, inclusion and a better New Zealand, and proof that age was no barrier for standing for and indeed walking for the truth.
Fast forward to 2020 and Pat has remained on message. I truly value Pat’s friendship and continued support, as an outstanding New Zealander whose leadership is truly inspirational.
Image courtesy ©Stuff
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
MINNIE RATIMA
1964 – 2020
BY MEGAN ROSE
“Drop judgement and become more kind”.
“Minnie would happily have spent the rest of her life fighting wholeheartedly for small victories in an overwhelming battle.”
“Just do it. Everybody just step up. It will be alright”. This is what Minnie would have said to her gathered whanau at her tangi at Tongoio [Tangoio] in August last year; feeling overwhelmed and wondering how they could carry out her wishes. “Just do it”, she would have said.
The mahi that Minnie was involved with in 2020, the last year of her life, speaks to the boldness she had developed over the past 10 years. When Minnie met with Jacinda Ardern before a volunteers’ function in Hastings last year she was going to give her a list of demands around housing, but she didn’t have to because Jacinda had already been briefed. She already knew what Minnie’s concerns were and reassured her they would be sorted.
Minnie had full faith in Jacinda and I think that was the moment she felt a huge weight of responsibility lift, when she felt she didn’t have to battle just to keep the fight alive anymore and thinking about the 31 houses in Maraenui that were being built at the time, Minnie hoped she’d be around to see them opened. She wanted to open the first house; she said Jacinda could open the second.
We had big, bold plans; forged over decades of pushing as individuals, merging into joint missions over countless breakfast meetings at her beloved McDonalds. Through our shared frustration with a system that did not serve its people. We discovered our contrasting perspectives, experiences and lifetimes had led us to exactly the same place, the same heart. The depth of our friendship allowed us to see through the eyes of one another, to understand where people speak from, and how and why they do the things they do. Through that unique understanding we learned tolerance. No longer blinkered by what we didn’t understand, judgement disappeared, allowing kindness to drive us instead. While I had observed this within myself, I didn’t realise its significance until in the weeks before her death, when Minnie reflected on how this process had unfolded for her. Our worlds and our mahi had changed when we dropped judgement and became kinder people.
When I nominated Minnie for Hawke’s Bay Person of
Opposite: Everlasting Daisies by Helen Dynes; Above: Minnie and Megan Rose. Pat loved how these wahine toa bounced off each other for support and inspiration.
Minnie Ratima – 1964-2020 213
“Pat had demonstrated many times, sometimes the best way to encourage others that they are worthy to stand up and be counted, is having the courage to stand up and be counted yourself.”
the Year in 2017, it was after one of these breakfasts; when Minnie had recounted a life changing moment for someone she was helping. Minnie would happily have spent the rest of her life fighting wholeheartedly for small victories in an overwhelming battle. There are precious few moments in life when an advocate is offered a bigger room, a louder microphone, a different audience. In those moments, it is common that humility, not a lack of courage, stops a good person taking up that offer. I knew humility would prevent Minnie from taking any credit for the incredible things she did and the vast number of lives she had changed, so I didn’t tell her until after I had done it. Sticking our heads above the parapet did not appeal to either of us: while we were comfortable up in front, our preference was always to lead from the back. But as Pat had demonstrated many times, sometimes the best way to encourage others that they are worthy to stand up and be counted, is having the courage to stand up and be counted yourself (Thanks for this difficult and beautiful lesson Pat.) Accepting the nomination challenged Minie tremendously: she never once considered she might actually win the Award.
Minnie often spoke about the book The Ant and the Ferrari, which Helen Lloyd lent her. She talked about the moment you realise you’re like an ant on a Ferrari, then that there are other ants on the Ferrari too. That’s when her consciousness moved from Maraenui to global. She began to notice the patterns that shape human behaviour and the world we have built around us. It was with fresh eyes and newfound courage and curiosity that she boarded a plane to London with Pat in 2018 to speak at ICOPA.
Minnie wowed the crowds at that conference. She spoke brilliantly on child friendly cities and her own experiences. She said she found herself feeling equal when she was more used to being on the other side of awe. She was astounded to be the only speaker to recite a pepeha, moving the attendees that spoke to her about it afterwards; and for once she allowed herself to be admired for her skill, where she spoke from, her unique perspective. Several Canadian academics asked her to come and speak at their conference in Canada the following year. Whenever attendees assumed she was an academic and asked what university she represented she answered proudly “The University of Maraenui”. I used to tell Minnie often that she was one of the smartest people I knew. Before ICOPA she didn’t believe me but following that conference, she did. The conference, its people and its kaupapa impacted Minnie deeply. When giving instructions for how she wanted to be dressed for her tangi, Minnie said, just wrap me in my quilt with my pounamu that has been touched by people all over the world.
Minnie told me she got a lot of her fearlessness from Pat. Together no-one would say no to them! Very little intimidated her now, as bureaucracy had once done. She said understanding how the machine worked made her feel empathy for the people stuck working in it; she reckoned being less angry and frustrated with bureaucrats allowed her to get more done for her people.
Soon after ICOPA and her experience overseas, her heart and focus went back to Maraenui. She let the global stuff take care of itself. For Minnie this time in history is the time of Rūaumoko, son of sky father Ranginui and earth mother Papatuanuku, the god responsible for all violent stirrings beneath the earth. She was at peace with the fracturing going on around her in the world; she said broken systems had to fracture before they could heal.
As her life drew to a close she took comfort in the small and personal. She knew what she meant to people and she had a chance to tell us what we meant to her. She surrounded herself with her beloved whanau and felt blessed and joyful that they had been drawn home to her. Amongst tears were songs and laughter and many, many stories. And her loving but firm reassurance that if you reckon someone should do something about it, that someone might just be you: “If you feel frustration, just step up – don’t settle for being walked over”.
Opposite: Freedom by Helen Dynes.
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Hawke’s Bay Today 23 December, 2017
EDITORIAL:
MINNIE RATIMA’S NAME NOW IN LIGHTS
BY MARK STORY
“Minnie Ratima changes lives. She takes children into her home to keep them safe, and fights to find a place for them.”
Of the 30-odd nominations that came in for this year’s Hawke’s Bay Today Person of the Year, this was the line that stuck with me. And the line that a s a member of the judging panel, swayed me.
The Marewa and former Maraenui super-hero and cheerleader of youth was nominated by Meg Rose, who also praised her friend for “reframing relationships with police, politicians and nature”. It was quite the nomination.
Let’s note that there were plenty of worthy finalists. Among them teachers, social justice crusaders, lawyers, those who work with the disabled, sports coaches and people who work with the terminally ill.
Suffice to say as a judge distilling this list is a tortuous exercise; it’s incredibly tough to put a line through the names of those who have so many selfless credentials.
But, of course, there can be only one. As opposed to some other years, there were no arguments as to who should wear the gong. Regionally, the danger is to view Minnie’s actions in isolation. But the truth is there’s a huge dividend for the entire community when kids are properly housed, educated and taught to strive for a situation better than what they were handed at birth.
Many of us would not of heard of this trouper – who by the way also happens to be a Maori warden. But those who have been helped and housed by her would certainly say they owe her a massive debt of gratitude.
Evidence of her impact was appreciable when Hawke’s Bay Today turned up to present the award at her home on Wednesday this week. We were struck not just by her humility, but by the numbers that turned up to celebrate her achievement.
Many sectors were represented from school, police, the Napier City Council, Maori wardens, whanau and neighbours.
As was said of her, she walked a path “few would choose”. Well done to you Minnie; we have you to thank for making Hawke’s Bay a better place in which to live in 2017.
Top: Minnie, feted and proud as Hawke’s Bay Today’s 2017 Person of the Year; Above: Former editor Hawke’s Bay Today, Andrew Austin, Maxine Boag, Pat, Api Tapine, Minnie, Megan Rose, deputy editor Hawke’s Bay Today Mark Story. Photos Warren Buckland
NUI & THE TRUST LOSE A BRILLIANT WAHINE TOA.
PAT PAYS TRIBUTE
Minnie was unique. She totally understood the community and how vital it was to build communities not prisons. Her mahi was a determined fight to try and unravel the damage of inter-generational harm caused through colonisation and urbanisation, and she had the ability to draw pakeha in to support her as she worked to address needs.
Where did this come from, her extraordinary ability to affect change? By being in the same place herself a few years back, as the people who she came to later help. She had been there herself. It was about 13 years ago when life and whanau issues started piling up for Minnie. As a young Maori mum she realised she’d missed out along the way and so had her kids. She was a party girl but the attraction to the fun times started to fade; the veil that hid the consequences of her good times had slipped. She started to think, surely there was a better, easier way and that’s when opportunities started to appear for her.
I met Minnie at a housing crisis protest in Wellington about eight years ago. She was a staunch campaigner for social justice and it wasn’t long before she joined the Trust. Initially she was out of her comfort zone but it wasn’t long either before the fearless campaigner appeared – fearless and always hopeful, for Maori, Maraenui and the wider community.
When I met her she was so enthusiastic to try new things. She wanted more of what she’d never had. Anywhere there was a chance of an outing, she was there. She really took to walking, she saw the sense of it and desperately wanted to get fit and explore the world of nature. In total we went on six Te Araroa Offers Hope hikoi and it was her goal to walk to Bluff eventually.
She loved meeting different people and when she started attending meetings she soon became a valuable voice. We supported her in getting a job and then MSD came through with funding from Te Roopu a Iwi where she worked for two years. Then sadly she became unwell. I think she simply burnt herself out – she was unstoppable in responding to crisis and that takes its toll.
I owe a lot to Minnie. About eight years ago we struck a rough patch at Pilot City for various reasons, and thanks to Minnie’s influence and integrity we were able to get through some really challenging circumstances. I’m sure we wouldn’t be here today without her gentle guidance.
Any organisation or trust involved in community development and social justice needs to have a Minnie, someone who really understands the people and the challenges. Groups need to listen to the Minnie’s too or they wont achieve what needs to be done. Minnie was not only a brilliant foot soldier she was a brilliant strategist too, a Wahine Toa like no other. But rather than lament her passing, she would want us to get out there and find the other Minnie’s who are just around the corner, eager for opportunity and with encouragement, keen to step up.
Aroha nui Minnie
RIP Shipmate
“It’s a hard road and they’re prepared to take it”.
Clockwise top left: Minnie and foot soldiers protesting against the eviction of state housing tenants; two staunch supporters for a kinder, fairer city complete with “ears” drawn on image by one of Minnie’s mokos; under the magnolias tree along Tennyson St where luckily it wasn’t a trial, just a fundraiser for the trail; another good turnout for the TPPA protest.
Clockwise top left: Maori Wardens out on the beat, Minnie with Mariana Seymour; Labour’s man Stuart Nash; with Auntie Jacinda, what a proud moment; Pat and John call round with some silliness; Napier mayor Kirsten Wise pays tribute to Minnie with PM Jacinda Ardern; foot soldiers at ICOPA in London in 2018 – they rocked it.
MINNIE RATIMA’S RESPITE MEMORIAL HIKOI, TURANGI,
January 25 – 28, 2021
Pat’s hikoi are always unique and Minnie’s memorial hikoi this year added a bitter sweet tinge to the time on the trail for the 23-strong team. On the four day tribute to whanau and new beginnings, of course there was sadness that Minnie couldn’t be there to see her tamariki, mokos, foot soldiers and buddies all together. And that’s the sweet spot right there, that Minnie’s whanau and friends had gathered to nurture her connections and keep her legacy alive on her treasured long trail.
On the Monday, a busload of 20 left Ahuriri for Turangi and settled into accommodation befitting the uniqueness; the venue was a quirky former single men’s camp for the nearby Tongariro Hydro Scheme that was built in 70s. Great photo opportunities in the right light! Next day it was bush walks, lake swims, korero and kai. Wednesday it was back on the ‘waka’ with Nimon’s driver extraordinaire Richie, and over the hill to Taumarunui. Because Pat had a gentle protest in mind, a casual sit-in at the main doors of the Oranga Tamariki offices – a gentle reminder to those inside, to sign the town up to UNESCO’s Child Friendly City initiative.
For Pat, Minnie’s son Kaivah Cooper and nephew Bronson Rehutai, this journey was retracing steps of a Pilot City hui held three years ago, which flowed seamlessly with a stint of the TAOH trail. Foot soldiers 1 and 2 (Minnie and Pat), and their keen crew were joined by Dr John Harre as they met with a group from council and Oranga Tamariki to share the wisdom of embracing the Child Friendly City kaupapa.
The first assistant Maori Commissioner for Children, Glenis Philip-Barbara supports the Child Friendly City concept and also has a lot of faith in John Harre, who facilitated the hui that day. And Minnie loved Taumarunui, beside the river, and with its manageable size, small enough at around 6,000 people, to be a town that can care well for its own, and especially its tamariki.
Back in Taumarunui this year, Pat’s gentle protest went off hitch-free. The security guard did seem reluctant to check out the unusual looking group (plus a mermaid statue), gathering outside the OT offices, so perhaps that helped! When the mahi was done it was independent activities in town for an hour before the Whanganui beckoned, then it was down to the river for a swim and a picnic. Back to base at Turangi, there was a visit to the hot mineral pools for the tamariki, a snooze for others, followed by more swims and fish and chips for dinner at dusk, beside the beautiful Lake Taupo.
Thursday, finally, it was time for a little respite and a chance to reflect on the hikoi, before heading home the next day. All agreed it was a great way to start the year, and perhaps two annual hikoi might flow from this; Minnie’s and back to the long trail for the keen walkers so watch this space.
Arohanui, Minnie
HITTING THE ROAD FOR MINNIE – ON THE HIKOI AROHA – THE FIRST OF MANY
A little activism before lunch, anybody?
Images, clockwise from top left: All aboard, thanks Nimon; creative play for Ember Lace; Pat’s daughter Jan was camp mother and nearly obscured is Nimon’s bus driver extraordinaire Richard Wright; our accommodation was an intriguing former working men’s camp for a hydro scheme; Pat outside Oranga Tamariki in Taumarunui, wondering where his flash mob is; ah, there they are, with Minnie Mermaid pretty much front and centre; a healthy lunch on the first day – lots of water!
Everyday ends at the lake
Opposite page: Lake Taupo from Kuratau, by John Ruth; Above: (clockwise top left); Minnie was on board the whole way; fish and chips beside Lake Taupo, thanks Maxine!; lunch by the mighty Whanganui River, Taumarunui; there’s nothing like a swim in the lake at the end of a summer’s day; stepping out for a walk on Day One was a shock for some!; Bronson and Jacob take in the view towards Taupo.
Clockwise from top: homeward bound after four great days away and Nimon’s driver Richard Wright gets everyone home safe and sound; Games room was awesome, win to Pat, thanks KK!; Pat, the man who drove the respite memorial hikoi, your energy is astounding; Minnie’s daughter Soraya, grateful for the chance to spend time with wider whanau; Ember Lace and Pat duel it out.
The houses Minnie fought for
Before Minnie Ratima passed away in August 2020, she’d been lobbying hard – right to the top – for affordable housing to go up in Maraenui, and fast. PM Jacinda Ardern promised her that this would happen and just prior to this book going to print her daughter Soraya Longtime drove around the Nui, and did a ‘new’ house count. “It’s awesome how much building has gone on in eight months. Minnie would be so happy things are happening and coming along nicely”.
Thirty-one new homes have been or will be completed in Maraenui in 2021, in Bledisloe Road, Percy Spiller Ave and Kelvin Place.
Minnie Ratima – 1964-2020 225
DAUGHTER SORAYA ON LIFE WITH MINNIE
Tell us a little about your time with Minnie?
For the past 12 years she was really full on with community work. She loved helping people. She didn’t want anything back for it, she just loved making people happy. I think this came from seeing people in Maraenui going downhill. We lived in Christchurch for a while and Minnie had a job as a receptionist at Lincoln University and when we came back to Maraenui there had been big changes. And now you can barely walk the street. There’s a lot of homelessness, a lot of poverty and it’s getting worse. Around this time Minnie met Maxine and Pat and got involved with Pilot City; she used to say they prepped her to become the person that she did. If she got an idea about something that she could see needed doing, or if she felt she had a solution, she was so determined she’d fight for it until it was achieved and she achieved a lot in 10 years.
Did she get discouraged about the growing needs in Maraenui?
Yes and especially because things had changed so much. She didn’t want her mokos growing up around all these issues and that drove her to do what she did. If she was still here she would be doing the same mahi, just more of it.
What was it like when Minnie met Pat?
I remember her starting to talk about “my Shipmate”. It was funny listening to them organising things. It sounded like a debate and you needed a sense of humour to stay in the room! Minnie was organised and had things set out. Pat would have his plan too but he’d often change it and at times he and Minnie clashed. Minnie would say, “We’re going to do it like this, and it will work out better”. He would listen but the next day he’d say, “I think we should do it like this”. Minnie would say no, again, and whatever they were doing, it did work out better.
Did Pat make a difference in Minnie’s life?
He had a huge impact, getting her out there on the hikoi and just by supporting him. He supported her too. Pat and others saw her potential and that helped her grow. She always wanted to go into parliament. She wanted to run this country and she would have been good. A lot of people thought she could be the next prime minister. We thought, give her a couple of years and she could be in the Beehive.
What legacy has Minnie left behind?
Her determination to get things done is so inspiring. We didn’t realise how much impact she had on people. We
Above: Minnie’s whanau gathered tight around her in the last months. She revelled in having her babies home. Aroha, support and laughter helped get everyone through; Below: three Maraenui Wahine Toa – Gaylene Kiripatea, Maxine Boag and Minnie.
226 Minnie Ratima – 1964 – 2020
didn’t know she had all these friends and all this support. We just thought she was in Pilot City and worked with Maori Wardens and Tu Tangata. We didn’t know how much she was actually doing until she passed away. My whole whanau didn’t know how much she was valued and they’re still trying to get their heads around it. It’s like “Oh my God, she was that important, she did that much …”
She would keep pushing until she got things right. When she was really sick she had a bucket list which she kept adding to every day. The things on the list weren’t personal, they were for the community and mostly around getting housing sorted. When she ticked things off she’d say, “Done”. When she first met Jacinda, Auntie Cindy she called her, straight away she said to her, “So what’s happening with housing?”. When Jacinda told her 31 houses were going up in Maraenui, that made her happy, she was relieved. And she would be making sure, pushing Aunty Jacinda, to hurry up. Before she passed away we took a video of the houses going up. She had these happy tears and said, “Aunty Cindy didn’t lie to me”. It was like “Job done, those houses are getting built.”
[Labour MP] Stuart Nash and [Napier mayor] Kirsten Wise organised for Minnie to meet Jacinda and I went along too. It was at a function for volunteers in Hastings and we were shown into a private room. Minnie said, this is my daughter, she’s been looking after me. Then Jacinda thanked me for looking after my beautiful mother. It was very emotional. Jacinda was hugging Minnie and didn’t want to leave but the powhiri started up next door. Then she thanked Minnie again for all she did for the community.
What were Minnie’s last wishes?
She had a whole plan that she was working on, which she didn’t quite finished. It was a long list, mostly about housing and she had jobs for everybody. She made me promise to join the Maraenui & Districts Committee and told me I wasn’t allowed to quit. She got my cousin involved too, Christine Harrison, and Minnie told me to back her up. There are some pretty good things going on too. A representative from the council came to a meeting recently and said, “This is what Minnie was wanting, she’d been pushing for this and it’s going to happen”. They revealed plans for the Maraenui community centre proposed to go up across the road from the Plunket Rooms and the Splash Pad that’s going up near the car park. Minnie wanted to bring the radio station back to Maraenui as well.
THE FUTURE FOR TAOH
Asking someone recently who knows Pat well; what they think his lasting legacy might be, they replied, “The way he takes kids out in nature, on the trail. They never forget it.”
Although Minnie is no longer here the attraction to Te Araroa has been passed down to her whanau, and tamariki. Kaivah, Tanyon, Bronson and Jake are all keen to get back on the trail and discover more of Aotearoa and enjoy a change of scene for a while. Bronson is keen to take the lead and hopes to plan another hikoi soon but funding is an issue. Pat, the group’s kaumatua, says “You run out of money. The visions are all there but the money runs out.”
With Minnie’s determination running through the team though, chances are they’ll be back out there soon. She left this message “Just do it. Everybody just step up!” and when someone leaves a challenge like that, chances are it will be met!
Minnie Ratima – 1964-2020
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
REMEMBERING CATHERINE 1922 – 1994
BY TIM AND WHANAU
Our special mum, Catherine, is in no way remembered by us as just a support to Pat, or simply at home keeping the fires burning. As with Pat, the amount of activities, charities, trips and life in general, which they both covered while raising us lot, beggars belief. We will no doubt miss some activities and events but going back we recall:
Red Cross – Putting Catherine’s nursing training to good use
Catholic Faith – As she thought her duty; Priest visits, Sunday mass (while she held us captive). We filled a long pew at St Mary’s in Ahuriri each Sunday, two back from the pew the Claudatos family occupied.
Spinning, knitting, weaving – She found time to create four or five jerseys each (times eight equals 40!) from the fleece to our backs. She joined the Keirunga Gardens Arts & Crafts Society in Havelock North and appreciated any time spent there, from which she would arrive back home inspired and happy.
Pottery – Catherine joined a club in Marewa so hello, now we are using her cups and plates at home
Hard of Hearing – Catherine joined others to help with the loneliness people with hearing difficulties can encounter. She caught me breaking concrete with a jack-hammer once … no earmuffs. She was right to object. I always shoot her a thought when I religiously fetch muffs for any noisy mahi these days.
Piano – Betty McKay was Catherine’s teacher and we heard over time throughout our home, the scales become updated with trickier pieces.
Amnesty International – Along with Pat, she had
Opposite: Catherine’s rock garden reached nearly down to the sea; Above: Her Amnesty International ‘cell’; was committed to defending rights and freedoms and working hard for justice.
Remembering Catherine 229
a small but no doubt effective cell that was run from our lounge. After Catherine’s funeral two lovely ladies came to offer me condolences and recalled how they had so many good times at their Amnesty meetings; agreeing to write to a prime minister somewhere, telling him off and asking him to release a particular prisoner. A wine or two could have been called for. “We enjoyed the meetings so much we felt guilty”, the ladies shared with furtive smiles.
Dim Wits – a fun group of mostly Marist School parents; they met and used quite a bit of silliness to stay in touch, travel places and generally have fun. In fact they had so much fun us kids were a little envious.
More fun and special times in between
How Catherine would set an extra place at the Christmas table in readiness for someone to appear who might be without fellowship on Christmas Day.
Pat weeding the rockery garden as penance after coming home late. He would con us: “Tell Mum, ‘Gee Dad is doing a lot of work in the garden’”, in an effort to shorten his sentence. “Is that what he said?” would be her reply.
Catherine put so much effort into the important, optional, fun, creative and peripheral activities of her life and ours, that perhaps as a result, she struggled to have the house as tidy as she would like. She was a giver, without needing recognition or fuss and she is still remembered for her humility and grace.
JAN HONOURS CATHERINE
We have so many fond memories of our mum, Catherine. Most of course stem around her as a mother, busy as, keeping us all nurtured, both spiritually and physically. One recent story relayed by my aunt, Pat’s sister Marie, concerned Catherine’s choice of a small galley kitchen for Whakarire Avenue; oh so small, to cater for a big family and lots of parties.
Apparently the architect Martin Yeoman tried hard to convince Catherine to increase the kitchen’s footprint but she was adamant. Marie explained that Catherine wanted it small to keep people out. She didn’t want well-meaning people saying, “How can I help?”
Catherine often used to say, “A woman is a fool in another woman’s kitchen”, and now the galley kitchen and this adage all make sense to me. When we purchased our house recently in Napier and it had a galley kitchen, I fell for it straight away. Perhaps I like galley kitchens for the memory factor, like I love retro designs because of Whakarire Ave. or just because I’m a messy cook. Galley kitchens are small and intimate and only the brave will enter or are invited … I am my mother’s daughter!
In Chapter 6, you’ll see that Puketitiri was a big feature in our lives. I well remember our first visit, all staying in the Puketitiri Hotel. Mum sewed for weeks making us all special outfits to wear in the rustic hotel dining room! She had a sense of romance, as if we were all off on a big fancy cruise or staying in a grand lodge instead of a rather humble country pub, where a local farmer rode his horse into the bar!
I am so grateful today for our parent’s vision in purchasing the land nearly 60 years ago at ‘Puk’ as the property came to be called; regenerating the bush and transporting the old store from the Puketitiri village, and which is now our humble bach. Recently the property has been rented out. Pat was keen to do other things and the family too, but time and circumstance have brought us all back to Puk with a renewed love for this unique place and it is lovely to see and experience its renaissance in our lives.
Opposite, clockwise from top: Happy tot; creative dancer; Catherine loved her Sacred Heart days; the gracious matron of honour at Lois Burgess’s wedding; winner of the highest award for a nurse in her years, the Florence Nightingale Cup; a glimpse of the serene beauty she was to become. Above: doting grandmother to Ash and Bailey, Tim and Jenny’s children.
Remembering Catherine
CATHERINE THE GREAT HOME COOK
Catherine was always keen to try new recipes, but the one that has endured and passed through many, many hands is her Apple Pie. This recipe has travelled the world and has been adapted as small pastry cases to hold lemony buttery and creamy delights; tiny Christmas Mince pies, crumbles and of course, as the pie that showcases any seasonal fruits.
CATHERINE’S APPLE PIE
125 gms soft butter
three/quarters cup sugar
one egg
one and a half cups plain flour
half teaspoon baking powder
pinch of salt
Lightly stewed fruit of your choice.
Cream butter and sugar, add egg, beat, then incorporate dry ingredients.
This pastry mixture is very soft so try and avoid making it on a hot day! You can use it as is or pop it in the fridge to firm it up. Divide pastry in half and pat into a greased, floured tin or one lined with baking paper, then add fruit and pat the remaining pastry on top.
Bake at 160-180 degrees for 30 to 40 minutes until lightly brown. A sprinkle of icing sugar takes the pie visually to the next level. Enjoy!
PAT: “A GRACIOUS PRETTY WOMAN OUT OF MY LEAGUE”
When I met Catherine, she was a respected nursing sister at Napier Hospital and she loved her vocation. She had money saved to travel and if I hadn’t come along she would have been on a ship to London, no doubt about it. Falling in love scuppered her plans but she regretted nothing, or so she told me! Luckily within herself, she was content because for a good number of years, while bringing up six children (six in eight years!), there wasn’t much travel going on.
As well as the usual and persistent demands of running a household of eight, Catherine had plenty going on outside the home, most of it voluntary and caring for others. She was creative too and ‘real’ things appealed, like spinning wool from the fleece and colouring it using natural lichens which she collected from the trees at Puketitiri to knit jumpers for everyone; and making useful, beautiful, rustic pottery pieces for home.
She was one of the first environmentalists that I met. She knew we weren’t looking after the planet. She knew plastics were bad and would make kitchen rubbish tidies from newspaper, much to the kids’ dismay. She knew adding chemicals to food and household cleaning products was crazy and dangerous for the health of the planet and for people too. Her dish washing set up was sunlight soap in a little metal shaker which we ran under hot water to make it lather. The kids weren’t impressed. All their friends’ mothers used lovely bright detergent that came out of a plastic bottle but Catherine wouldn’t have it in the house. She was staunch on these things and she was right to be.
It must have been quite hard for her, with me out of the house a lot doing my thing, but she created her own brand of activism. When she came across an issue or an injustice that resonated, she responded in her own way. When the Hawke’s Bay Harbour Board started making moves to dredge the Estuary in readiness for developing a marina, without having consent to do so, she swung into action.
My communist mate Fred Mace rang Catherine, told her that dredging was happening near the Westshore Hotel and asked her to head round to the site and witness what was happening. When word spread of the dredging there was an uproar, and the diggers and the Harbour Board backed off.
In 1975 when five Australian journalists were killed in East Timor, Catherine’s Amnesty International (AI), activities ramped up. She embraced AI as a platform from which she could make a difference as the issues in East Timor really troubled her. She did all she could within her Amnesty ‘cell’ to try and affect change. She felt driven and vital when she was pursuing justice and that made us all feel proud.
Catherine was a passionate and competent career nurse who did her training at the Napier Hospital and was the top student of her graduating year. She was incensed and incredulous when it was proposed that the town’s local hospital be shifted to Hastings. She even wrote a personal letter to Jim Bolger, whose parents lived across the road from her brother in New Plymouth, expressing dismay and bitter disappointment. When Napier Hospital services were finally shifted to Hastings in 1995 following about four years of strident public opposition, it was probably a good thing Catherine wasn’t here by that stage, having passed away the year before. She would have felt heartbroken.
We both went on a week-long Treaty of Waitangi Workshop together which was a bold thing for her to do. Afterwards she was grateful for the opportunity and did some research herself, discovering that often the Tangata Whenua didn’t give their land away, as many commentators would have us believe. As well as giving us more awareness around the Treaty, this shared experience deepened our relationship.
We were married for 43 years, and had six children – all interesting and loyal. Through it all, the usual challenges of life, and the more unusual, Catherine was my mate. We had a lot of fun together and I wouldn’t change a thing.
Opposite: Catherine’s Apple Pie – a delicious and widely appreciated recipe. Above: Pat on honeymoon at the bach in Taupo; Catherine ever the gracious hostess, a lot of people have mentioned this to us over the years.
THEN OUR LIVES CHANGED FOREVER
Catherine and Pat would visit me often in Australia, especially when we lived in Townsville. They loved Magnetic Island, it’s a short ferry ride from Townsville and the island has great accommodation, lovely walks and stunning beaches. Catherine especially loved the frangipanni.
On their last visit to me in Townsville we were having a great couple of weeks. Again, we had a great place to stay on the island, where a few of my nursing buddies lived, which made for a party atmosphere. We had great sunset picnics, walks on the beach and dined at Greek styled tavernas perched above sheltered bays, looking out over the sea. We could have been in Greece.
Early one morning we went to the mainland and headed for outback Charters Towers, stopping at a great little pub on the way at Ravenswood. I knew Catherine would love the amazing stained glass windows throughout, and inside we met a character called Dougie, a crusty looking chap in stubbies and thongs. He was a great raconteur and much laughter was had. This stop was before lunch so it was strictly alcohol free. Departing the pub we noticed a sign on the back of Dougie’s dirty old ute, “Wine me dine me 69 me”, which led to some interesting yet veiled conversation as we drove on to Charters Towers.
Apart from her reputation as a competent, caring nurse and capable craftswoman, when we were chatting on the day of the accident she said if she had her time over again she would have liked to study law; she had the intellect to think outside the square and I think she would have done well in this profession.
We were having such a good time and I realised that my parents were as much fun as my peers. Then, in a split second our lives changed. The wheels hit an uneven surface and I over-corrected. The car rolled and was a write-off. Pat and I were barely scratched but Catherine was gone. The rest they say is history but my strong memory of this living nightmare was Pat’s soothing words on the roadside as we waited in oppressive heat for the ambulance. Me thinking my life was over given I was driving and my mother was dead but Dad in his distressed state was still able to offer such comforting unforgettable words, “Please don’t blame yourself. Don’t ever blame yourself. You gave us a great time”. Pat gently encouraged me to keep remembering the special times we had together and his words helped me greatly in the years that followed.
Catherine and Jan enjoy a bubbles before dinner on Magnetic Island, overlooking the bay.
Above: Illustrations by Mary Anne: Dad in the big chair on Pull for the Shore duty; Horace the pet lamb at Lewis’s; out in Homai giving Mum a break; the Hawkeye rugby song was another frequent soundtrack to our early life; Dad and Millie on a daily run along the beach; Millie left behind in Wanganui – not happy; Dad lighting lanterns at Puk, and Minnie our wild cat.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
A BIG PRESENCE IN OUR LIVES
BY MARY-ANNE MAGILL
We had a lot of fun growing up with Dad in our lives. One of my earliest memories is of sitting on his knee while he sang, Row for the Shore, Sailor. He would hold our hands as we faced him and he’d row us backwards and forwards really fast and there was always someone lined up, wanting to be next.
We had great times exploring Westshore beach and going out in Ho mai, our little wooden dingy. We stayed close to the shore and explored under the old lighthouse near Perfume Point. Sometimes Dad took us all out in the boat, which gave Mum a nice break.
With eight in the family there was always a lot going on, especially at dinner time. We all helped and I remember peeling the potatoes! Fish was a favourite meal and in winter Dad would come home and light the fire for us.
Every morning he went for a long walk or a run along the beach to clear his head before his busy day. And they were busy days. As well as his work there was voluntary youth work with the YMCA and helping set up the Downtown Y, which took hours of his time that he gave cheerfully because his heart was right in it.
Puketitiri has been a cool part of our lives for a long time. ‘Prickle Bush’ or ‘Puk’ as we call it, is a very special 20 acre property in the foothills of the Kaweka Ranges. It was part of a farm before Mum and Dad bought it from a local character called Buster Wright in 1963. Buster dressed like a cowboy and used to ride his horse in the Puketitiri Hotel when he’d had one too many drinks.
We loved piling into Dad’s green Plymouth and heading for the hills, eager to explore the bush and enjoy the cosy bach once the fire was going; it’s pretty chilly there in winter. If we arrived during the day, us six hungry kids would run across the paddocks up to the Lewis’ farm house, eager for May Lewis’ beautiful soft, fluffy scones with jam and cream. Their own jam and cream! There always seemed to be a pet lamb to feed and play with too.
On the way up we’d stop at Maxwell’s farm to collect milk which came straight from their cow, not a bottle! And if we arrived at Puk in the dark Dad would light kerosene lanterns. We didn’t have electricity or a phone on for years and I remember finding the key was often challenging.
Mary Anne and Pat at a family celebration. Plenty of good times.
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Once we were inside, Mum would light the coal range and have the billy boiling in no time.
Working on the land, especially for Dad in the early days, either weeding, planting or cutting back gorse and blackberry, was a big part of life at the bach. His vision was to convert the farmland back into regenerated native bush and with a lot of hard work from him and some very dedicated people, especially our brother Rob and Bernard Lloyd, this has been achieved although it does need ongoing care. Some say Puketitiri is one of Dad’s greatest legacies and that makes us feel very proud of him.
Back home at Westshore Dad enjoyed listening to music. Nat King Cole’s Rambling Rose, Dean Martin, and Boss Gags (as he called Boz Scaggs) were some of his favourites. He loved hearing us play the piano too and Dad liked a good car. There was always a good car.
Millie, the tiny fox terrier/chihuahua cross that was initially John’s dog, went to live with Mum and Dad and did she love Dad. She followed him everywhere and loved running with him along the beach. She even forgave Dad when we accidentally left her behind at Cook Gardens in Whanganui late one dark night, when we stopped for a breather en route for New Plymouth. She was very spoilt, had a wicker basket with a mattress and sheets and in winter Mum would cover her up with homespun woollen blankets.
Soon after Dad was awarded his OBE Mum mentioned that it was lying around and he needed to find a safe spot for it. “I know, under Millie’s mattress”, he said, and there it stayed for years. That didn’t mean he didn’t value the medal; he was quietly proud to receive it.
Dad was very generous and from time to time would buy each of us a special gift. I especially remember him buying me a guitar, which was the start of my long and continuing love for music. He gave me a children’s bible too, which I still treasure.
When Pat visits me in Titahi Bay, we walk along the beach and take in Kapiti Island in the distance. Back home we sit and chat and enjoy cups of tea. At night we watch his favourite programmes, The Chase and Britain’s Got Talent and I treasure these wonderful times with my favourite friend. You’re such a big, beautiful person in our lives Dad and we love you to bits.
Above: John Magill sailing near Ahuriri Channel; this watercolour (above) was painted by Mary-Anne as John was departing for Fiji in his yacht.
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ANYONE FOR A PINKIE?
BY JAN MAGILL
I am Catherine Janice Magill, better known as Jan, the eldest of Pat and Catherine’s six children.
We were brought up in Westshore in Whakarire Avenue with the ocean but a step away from the back door. The house was designed by a local architect and built by Catherine’s brother and is a beautiful home. I have fond memories of family times there and remember Catherine often cooking for the less fortunate in the area, complementing Pat’s philanthropic tendencies.
We had many family holidays at Puketitiri, initially staying at the Puketitiri Hotel and later in the family bach. Buying the land at Puketitiri was an inspired thing for Catherine and Pat to do. Puk, as we call it, has always been a special and inspiring retreat. The trips up and back were relatively frequent and not so well appreciated though in those early years by the older kids. We just wanted to spend our time surfing and enjoying Westshore Beach complete with its rock pools and sea-horses.
In my childhood years I remember Pat more as an environmentalist than for his interest in social issues. I do remember that he always had time for the boys from France House in his youth and was a great believer in equanimity for all, so it was no surprise to see him take more of an interest in social justice as the years advanced.
I’d probably left home before Pat’s commitment to social justice really fired up but the words “Downtown Y” and “Pub With No Beer” are coming back to life as I read the tributes to him for this book.
I left NZ in 1969, returning often. Living in Australia has given me great opportunities including meeting the best husband, but I always hoped I would end up in New Zealand someday. Covid with all its devastating consequences afforded me that opportunity to stay longer, gaining more appreciation for my country of birth and its people.
Being able to spend more time with Pat has given me the opportunity to observe his busy lifestyle, one that is hard to keep up with at times. He sets a cracking pace! No sooner has one project been undertaken and he is off on another. His qualities most endearing to me are that of his zest for living, his joie de vivre. Even watching “The Chase” with or without his favourite tipple of the moment (a Pinkie), his enthusiasm is infectious and has become a highlight of my extended stay.
The other quality I am appreciating at the moment is his thoughtful deliberation of words chosen in this book to describe the many people who have supported, educated, shared their stories and inspired him throughout his life’s journey.
We also know he throws the odd curved ball that we either have to duck or manage, but that keeps us on our toes! When a curved ball comes our way I find it handy to recall one of his favourite sayings; “It has to be fun”.
Thanks for the ride Dad, and let’s have lots more fun along the way!
HE WAS ON TO A WINNER
BY ROB MAGILL
Anyone who knows my father, Pat, would agree he has an enquiring mind. When I was growing up in Westshore, one of his rituals was to walk leisurely along the beach to buy the Sunday papers at our local dairy. At the same time, my mother, Catherine, would cram me and my five siblings into her Morris Minor for the short drive to St Mary’s Church at Port Ahuriri. Catherine had good intentions – giving us a religious education but I thought church was an hour of extreme boredom. I envied Pat and realised he was on to a winner – walking along the beach and nurturing his enquiring mind with the latest news and views.
Pat grew up in Cameron Road, on Napier Hill, and went to Central School. His route to school was down the “99 steps” to Milton Road, up the ramp to Colenso Ave, then up to the crest of the hill. One early memory of his; when he was five years old, his classmate and friend, Alan Peake, arrived at school with his arm in plaster – a chimney had fallen [on] him during the ’31 Hawke’s Bay earthquake. Excitement – and Alan received a lot of fuss from the class!
Pat also worked on a milk run as a lad, sometimes starting at 3 or 4 am. He loved it. He also attended Napier Intermediate, then Napier Boys’ High School. In his first year at NBHS, he did extremely well in the steeplechase, which he said came as a surprise. He didn’t perform so well in the classroom though and wasn’t a natural at chemistry or maths, but a little better at geography and history.
He was streamed near the bottom at high school, and took Commercial (shorthand, typing and bookkeeping), which was bad steer really, but he still has a good typing speed. At the end of the third year, his parents went to see the teacher, Mr Foster. Pat enjoyed spending time on farms in the holidays, so it was decided to try him on the agriculture option. His grades came up and it proved to him that if you like something you’ll do well in it. He got on well with the Ag boys, who were usually farmers’ sons. His growing-up years in Napier, he said, were pretty carefree. He was healthy and never worried much.
Following high school he enrolled at Massey College in Palmerston North where he did a 2 year general sheep farming course. He worked on farms in Manawatu during the vacations and played rugby in the local competition. Following Massey, he returned to Napier, worked briefly in his father’s drapery shop (Robert Magill) in Carlyle Street, then headed for the open spaces. He worked for Lou Harris initially at Brooklands Station near Napier and soon after at Mangatutu Station in the foothills [of] Kaweka mountains after Lou had purchased it. Pat told me once the view of the lights of Napier was impressive from those heights.
During his time at the station, he had an Army Indian motorbike, which he rode to and from Napier. The big bike didn’t handle the back-country roads too well though, and it was a cool ride in winter!
I’ll always be grateful to Catherine and Pat for the holidays we had around the countryside as it gave me an introduction to, and a huge appreciation of what we have at our back door. The highlight was the trip we had to Fiordland to walk the Milford Track.
There was the holiday too we had at Puketitiri in the early 60s, which inspired Catherine and Pat to purchase 7.7 hectares of rough farmland with a creek running through. There was some native bush on the property, though it was mostly secondary growth – the area having been milled. It was decided to let the area which contained most of the native vegetation to regenerate.
And I’m appreciative too for them fostering in me the desire to learn about the significance of our unique natural heritage – forests, mountains, lakes and rivers etc. This has guided me in my life and my career.
Above: Bluff Hill revisited 2021: Meet Rob, the family’s historian who managed to discover quite a lot of extra information about Pat that was new to us, and much to our delight.
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THANKS PAT!
BY JOHN MAGILL
One interesting chapter in our lives was the arrival of Albert and Jenny Fan and their family from Indonesia. Pat met the family through Friendly Neighbours when he visited them at their home and welcomed them to Napier, as new refugees. Albert and Jenny were chefs and brought a really welcomed ethnic flavour to Napier’s dining scene when they opened The White Heron. There weren’t many interesting restaurants around at the time!
The White Heron was in the basement of the Hawke’s Bay Museum building on Downey [Browning?] Street, opposite the Hawke’s Bay Club. Stairs led down to what was a really cool dining space and the double doors are still there. We enjoyed lots of wonderful dinners there and Albert and Jenny sometimes catered for parties at home.
Jenny and her mother kept the kitchen ticking over and Albert was front of house, which he loved. He and Pat had competitions over who could eat the most chili. Albert always won. The restaurant was operating in the 70s, back in the days when smoking was allowed inside so smokers simply lit up at their table. I remember Albert’s amazing draw-backs. An impressive cloud of smoke would come out of his mouth and be enticed slowly up his nostrils. I found it fascinating. In 1975 our whole family went to Indonesia for a holiday for nearly a month. Thanks Pat – what an experience.
Spending six days tramping around Lake Waikaremoana in 1969 was another holiday that stands out for me. It was Pat’s first organised walk for the YMCA, which brought really different people together for a good cause. Alana and Shelley Hiha were part of the crew as well. A launch took our gear from camp to camp while we walked around the lake. Gordon Christie, Napier Labour MP at the time was the cook. I remember him jokingly telling Pat off for not washing a pot properly, kicking the pot around the campsite as he did so. The evenings were entertaining with everyone sitting around the camp fire talking about anything and everything.
The next YMCA walk was from Taupo to Napier a year later. This was a five day event to raise money for The Pub With No Beer along Latham Street. Again it brought together lots of different people for a good cause and it was an adventure we’ll never forget.
I worked with Pat for quite a few years in the carpet shops and we had our own project for a while, a shop called the Batik and Asian Trading Company. These were magical times, working with suppliers like the Merchants of Narnia and importing cool stuff from Bali. I’m still selling carpet today, which I enjoy and I’m very grateful for the introduction Pat gave me to the business world. Thanks Pat!
Above: Pat organised two YMCA walks around Lake Waikaremoana in the early 70s and everyone who went still remembers what an amazing hikoi they were. Connecting with diverse people, and at the same time gaining so much by happily being held captive in nature; Shipmates at John’s 60th birthday at the Westshore Scouts Hall just a few years ago. Photo, Lake Waikaremoana by Ann Johnston.
MEMORIES, INFLUENCES, AND THANKS PAT
BY JESMA MAGILL
IN THE 60S
As a young kid it was pretty cool having a dad who had a personal mantra; “It has to be fun”, and a balancing driving force for him has always been, “Meet needs in the community where you see them”.
FIRST MEMORY
DRIVING WITH Pat in his huge green Plymouth with its large rear fins and a bench seat in front while he unwraps the cellophane from a pack of Rothmans, lights a ciggie and the enticing aroma of sulphur rises from the just-lit match. Although I went on to have a fire-year smoking career before losing the allure of the sulphur haze, I in no way attribute my addiction to my dad, although I will say one’s sense of smell is a powerful thing.
PUKETITIRI
Living off the grid at the bach meant tin baths by the fire and the early lesson of not letting your body touch the tin closest to the fireplace. Catherine cooking on the coal range in the kitchen – scones, soups, casseroles. Fights for the top bunks, sliding games on roly-poly cushions along the lino floor, dripping hot wax over our hands then peeling back the wax once it had cooled; kept us amused for hours. Yes, we were very lucky no one was burnt.
Feeling grateful for being introduced to nature and the environment by our parents and having appreciation for it imprinted on our DNA. Gratitude for being humbled by the grandeur of the landscape, going bush, glow worms, dipping in waterfalls, hot mineral pools, cold river swims. Puk will remain as important to our future as it has been to our past.
ENVIRONMENTALIST
Around the same time Pat was asked to join Forest & Bird and take on the role of chairman, I remember joining him at White Pine Bush while he worked on slashing a track through the undergrowth. He says I helped him, but only four at the time I suspect my presence was more about giving Catherine a break. Regardless, the consequences of those early experiences were priceless gifts and to this day, walking through the bush is a salve to body and soul.
GOTTA GET AWAY
Pat loves adventures, Cath did too and often during the school holidays we would head off for places unknown and exciting. Even though it rained most of the time, walking the Milford Track was a highlight. I was eight-years-old at the time, apparently not always a happy tramper and Pat piggy-backed me much of the way. That experience and seeing the South Island then is another magnificent memory.
Opposite, walking with THE shipmate on his 93rd birthday; above: One of many magic moments, meeting Hone Tuwhare at the Napier Public library with Pat and niece Jerri Magill who was too young to be impressed.
244 A big presence in our lives
“His eyes burn to a distant point where all roads converge”. Tone Tuwhare – Time and the Child
CARPET KING OF HAWKE’S BAY
There were some corny ads for Pat’s business that called him the Carpet King of Hawke’s Bay. So of course, as a young girl with a passion for fairy tales and a Princess headboard above my bed, I asked him one day if he was indeed the carpet king and did that make me a princess? To which he replied. “Of course you are”. Unfortunately other people took more convincing and consequently when Pat abdicated as carpet king, I lost my ‘tiara’ which was a good thing all round, really.
GOODBYE NORMAN KIRK
The day Norman Kirk died in 1974 I was at school in Masterton and a few days later Pat drove in through the school gates and impressively (I thought) whisked me away to Big Norm’s funeral in Wellington. It was an unforgettable experience. We’ve enjoyed many such adventures and significant, magical moments as Pat has taken us along with him on his myriad of pilgrimages.
A MONTH IN INDONESIA
As a 15-year-old, travelling the length of Indonesia and visiting Bali too with the family, we experienced true poverty on the one hand and cultures that express joy in the simplest moments, on the other. This trip offered life-long, rich learnings and left us with a passion for travel as well.
A SOCIALIST BUSINESSMAN?
Even though Pat owned a business for most of his life, the capitalist spirit just isn’t in his DNA. A revealing case in point: during Auckland’s heady real estate market around 1992 I sold my house in Titirangi and “did quite well”. Pat was amazed and kind of disappointed when I told him how much I had pocketed from the sale of the house. “But you don’t have to accept all that, do you?” I realised then Pat’s spiritual advice was way more valuable than his financial, and from there on in I deferred to my soon-to-be husband Richard on financial matters.
PARTY PARTY PARTY PARTY!
Around March each year six months before Pat’s birthday in September there’s a conversation in our family that goes something like this: Pat says; “I don’t think I’ll have a birthday party this year” … Then we say, “Of course you will, you always do”, to which Pat says; “Oh, okay, let’s do it then”. Then it’s full on into organising mode, usually with the talented celebration planner Denis O’Reilly as enabler. Denis and his team pulled out all stops and Pat’s 90th was a three-day extravaganza comprising four events. Pretty much everyone was exhausted, and Pat? Well he was delighted and felt energised for another year, and we wouldn’t have it any other way.
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FUN, MAYHEM & AROHA
BY TIM MAGILL
Growing up at Westshore, walking was a big thing. We all walked the Milford Track around 1968. White Pine Bush was a nice walk before that, a project Pat was involved with through Forest & Bird. We would go out to the bush with him and help too, somewhat, as prison inmates to cut a track through the bush. This track remains today at the top of Esk Valley.
On Sundays we often walked or “mooched” to the trawlers moored at Ahuriri, sometimes further to see the ships at the big Napier wharf, and even on board if there was time and approval. Nice
Then there were the YMCA “walkabouts” from Napier to Hastings, fundraising events that brought people together. These were always a big thing for Pat. At least two of these happened under his watch and were widely supported and a bit imaginative, as I recall.
Then it was time to get serious, with the 1970 YMCA Taupo to Napier walk as another fundraiser, with 100 people on the trail. As always with Pat, it was for a good cause and every time – there was fun, mayhem and aroha.
Big memories of the Taupo to Napier excursion: the Dirty Dozen – the Hawke’s Bay Rugby Club, Old Boys and current – keeping us fed as the able chefs; Ena Sharples talking to my sister Jes as the youngest walker and Kel Tremain, the big celebrity rugby player on the walk, talked to Albert Tatlock.
Lesser walks include Waimarama to Cape Kidnappers with the Parkers and Magill’s, and around Lake Waikaremoana with Catherine’s Taranaki whanau, the O’Donnells. We have to say Catherine, our Mum, was up for all of this because she was herself adventurous, and in that she supported Pat. What a team, and what a childhood – one we look back on with gratitude and pride.
Above: Tim and Pat, sailing on the Kaipara near where Tim lives; Below: Loving the rugby hype in the 60s.
GUIDED TO BECOME MORE EMPATHETIC
BY GRANDSON TRAVIS MAGILL
On Wednesday mornings Pat occasionally goes down to the Napier District Courthouse to observe the trials, looking for creative ways to provide some form of support to those that have never had any proper help before, and also to observe the judicial system in action.
When Pat was in hospital for a couple of weeks for an issue that he has now overcome, he was unable to attend the court trials. None the less he didn’t let that get in the way. He asked my sister Jerri and I to go to the courthouse in his place. At the time we probably didn’t realise this but we weren’t just there to observe the trials and the judicial system, we were also being guided by Pat to become more empathetic and further instill the values to the next generation that a community needs to stick together and help one another, even in unordinary situations.
One of the most common phrases I have heard in my life is a quote from Pat that goes; “If you can’t fix your own backyard then you can’t fix the world”. In this analogy the backyard is Napier and Pat has always had an unconditional love towards Napier and all of her residents.
Above: Jerri and Travis Magill on duty for Pilot City Trust at the Napier Court, when Koro Pat was in hospital.
ADVENTURES WITH PAT
BY GRANDDAUGHTER ZOE HADFIELD
I guess you’d call Pat our step-grandfather but we always just call him Pat. John married our mum Jo in 1996 and my brother Liam and I were welcomed into the big Magill family.
Pat was an important, positive presence in our lives. We moved in with him at Westshore soon after Catherine died to keep an eye on him but it worked both ways. He kept a caring eye on us as well. He was great fun and often took us out for treats or to go shopping. Whatever it was it usually turned into an adventure.
Like this time he asked Liam and I what we’d like to do one day. We were about 10 and 8 and “McDonald’s Drive Thru please” was our reply. “No problem” Pat said, “Jump in the car”.
We pull up [at] McDonalds and Pat asks which way to go. “Round to the left Pat and then follow the arrows”. He doesn’t see the stop sign at the order bay though and keeps on driving. “Pat! Stop!” I yell. “You’re meant to order at the window!”
So around we go again, even more slowly this time, with Pat determined to get it right while Liam and I slump down low in our seats, hoping our friends don’t spot us! Eventually we stop at the window, pass over order and finally, the burgers come our way.
Twenty years later I still smile when I pass McDonalds, anywhere, and seeing Pat’s messages on Facebook make me smile as well, or laugh out loud!
We’re so fortunate to have Pat in our lives. He loves us like we’re his own and he’s always there for support, like a real Grandad. Pat will always have a special place in my heart.
Adventures with Pat: Zoe and Liam were keen for McDonalds take-aways. It only took Pat a couple of drive-throughs before he got the hang of the concept.
WHEN A RELATIONSHIP TOUCHES LOVE IT IS ETERNAL
BY GRANDDAUGHTER JERRI MAGILL
My first recollection of meeting you, Pat, took place at our long-time family home at Whakarire Avenue in Westshore. I must have been around 8 months old as I’d just started to crawl and crawl is exactly what I did, into your bedroom early one morning.
I can remember creating havoc with a pile of your papers on the floor beside the bed. Waking to the noise, I can still see you looking over at me and giving an endearing smile and a wink. This was our defining moment, a moment that bonded us forever.
Through all of life’s experiences I have shared with you, I take pride in adopting and aspiring to some of your core values, those of compassion, wisdom and unconditional love for absolutely everybody. (I have taken on some of your more questionable traits too, like bad driving, general disorganisation and sometimes, absent table manners, but these are all minor details in life’s big scheme!)
I feel blessed to share a biological link with you, for as long as we live in this world. I’m relieved and delighted too that we are connected in eternity, because a relationship that touches love is eternal.
Twenty three years on from that early morning encounter, I have come to understand and embrace the causes you have dedicated your life to; causes that are all unified by the common theme of being; YMCA, Te Araroa Offers Hope, your trailblazing conservation work on our family land at Puketitiri, and Napier’s Pilot City Trust, to name just a few.
You have and continue to enrich my life and I’m forever grateful for having been loved by you, Pat, my darling grandfather.
Arohanui, nga mihi nui … forever yours.
Five of these photos were taken at Puketitiri: Top middle; at a book signing with Hone Tuwhare, Pat, Jes and Jerri at the Napier Public library; out and about with Pat; at Jerri’s long time friend and mentor, Kerry Kitione’s, with chauffeur Pat.
Clockwise top left: Catherine’s family, the O’Donnells and Hickeys are close, Catherine and sister Tilley [Tillie] near Mt Taranaki; family holiday at Puketitiri; Tillie visits her sister at Westshore; plenty of adventures in the senior years, this was at Opua; boating on the Whanganui River; Catherine refreshed after a swim at Westshore, 1965-ish. Opposite: Jan’s 21st, three Hickey girls in halter dresses, Catherine, Mary-Jane and Marguerite; Jes and Rob the support crew.
HICKEY FAMILY MEMORIES
BY JANE HILLIER, NEE HICKEY
Well, Uncle Pat Magill. What a fun Uncle you have been to us all over the years and how we always love our time spent with you. So much energy and always time to stop and chat and have some fun; great qualities in this fast- moving world.
We especially remember with fond nostalgia the holidays spent with your family, and that you organised our first ever camping holiday at Lake Taupo in the summer of ’63-’64.
When we lived on the farm at Warea [Waiwera?] in southern Taranaki our father would have been tied to milking or summer chores but we had moved into New Plymouth. So, here we all were, our lot as green as grass to the camping ways, being country kids.
Our dad Jim had never camped either, although he said the smell of sun on the canvas tents took him right back to his Second World War Air Force days in Burma. But this was a real fun holiday together and we were starting to like this outside world of tents and campfires and the freedom of running a bit wild.
There were a lot of us girls with little Jes, and Pat, you always found time to do things with young Jimmy, Rob, the twins and Chris, which they remember warmly to this day. It was an amazing time and we explored the area, taking in most of the key tourist spots.
Then, there was the beautiful seaside home on the beach at Westshore, Napier. Wonderful days on that beach, fun in small boats, swims in the tide and beach walks. And always, that relaxed fun atmosphere, great kai and games and a houseful of eleven kids and four adults!
Then came 21st birthday celebrations and more family fun and memories. In between all this holiday fun, Pat, you were ever busy forging a way into vital social work and reform with youth. The Downtown Y, improving YMCA facilities, programmes and general wellbeing were now a huge focus in your life.
Most of us were busy enough, just with life and work and bringing up children while Pat had the vision and the courage to implement change where he could. And of course this took him into the wider New Zealand social justice scene where he still is considered a catalyst for change in our justice system.
Pat has opened our eyes to a different way of thinking about the justice system. He has made us see that prisons are not the answer and he has spent many years crusading for a better, more enlightened alternative. It is indeed a difficult journey and one which Pat with all his heart continues to walk.
We love and admire your drive, your commitment and your heart for youth and the disadvantaged, Pat. You are a hero for our times and a true legend in our family.
God Bless, from all of Tillie and Jim’s whanau.
[NB: On Catherine’s side of the family, Tillie Hickey (nee O’Donnell) is Jane Hillier’s mother and the middle sister to Catherine.]
A big presence in our lives 251
CALL IT FATE OR GOOD FORTUNE
BY MIRIAM BUSBY
Pat Magill inadvertently changed the course of my life when he agreed to be the marriage celebrant at my wedding to Peter Sonntag.
The wedding day was January 3rd, 1985 and was held in the garden of our family homestead at Rahiri in Tokomaru Bay. But an hour before the wedding was to start we realised we didn’t have the marriage certificate. We thought Pat would have the certificate and he thought we would have organised that side of things ourselves.
Quick thinking Pat suggested we pretend to sign a marriage certificate and that we could sign an official one later, so long as that was completed within six weeks. This seemed like a good solution to the dilemma at the time.
However, after nearly six turbulent weeks of “marriage” to Peter went by, it became obvious that we weren’t a compatible pair, and when the time came to drive to Napier to sign the official marriage certificate, I had decided I wasn’t going through with it.
Call it fate or good fortune, I was able to extricate myself from further involvement with Peter, without having to go through a divorce.
But unfortunately Pat was told he couldn’t officiate at any more marriage ceremonies following ours.
Pat has always been a great support to me and my extended family. He has included me in a lot of Magill family events. His daughter Mary-Anne and I started nursing training together at Palmerston North hospital in 1971 and we are still friends.
Thank you Pat for your quick thinking on my wedding day. I am eternally grateful to you for being there for me on that day, and ever since that day.
Clockwise from top left: Miriam, Shelley and Mary-Anne looked beautiful on the day; the posey flowers were from Miriam’s garden; Mary-Anne and Miriam in their nursing days; still firm friends today; an artist, Miriam created the wedding invitations.
IMPRESSIONS OF PAT DOWN THE YEARS
BY NEPHEW MIKE O’DONNELL
Millie the foxy came to town, such a cool dog. We never got sick of her trick, “Stick ‘em up” then “Bang” and down dead she would go, to lie still for a few seconds.
Bushy Park reunions with Magill’s and O’Donnell’s were always huge but a bit of a blur.
I remember walking into Gran’s one day at 215 Frankley Road, New Plymouth and Pat was at the stove cooking in a frying pan. There was a delicious smell in the air and as I walked past, Pat said, “Have some of these, Boy”. The pan was full of scallops cooking in butter and he whipped out a piece of buttered white bread and with a deft flick of the spatula, presented me with my first scallop sandwich. I still remember the taste.
I’m sure Pat’s 90th will be well covered off but for me the raffle was a highlight and some of the prizes; a walk with Pat around the Ahuriri Estuary, the wetland he helped to protect, picking up rubbish. And another prize was heading off on a Wednesday morning, down to the courthouse with Pat to see what was going on and who might need some help with the process. Priceless.
(Mike’s brother, Tom, shares his story over the page.)
ABU: THE BACKSTORY
Abu is the name given to Pat by his brother-in-law, Pat O’Donnell, the same brother-in-law who built 3 Whakarire Avenue. Abu is abbreviated from Abou Ben Adhem, a poem by Leigh Hunt, which in the first line reads “May his tribe increase!’ A reference to the number of children that Pat had sired, no doubt.
ABU PAT – A MAN OF THE PEOPLE
BY NEPHEW TOM O’DONNELL
When I was quite young, around 10, ‘Abu’ and the Magill family clan came to stay. Pat had caught a baby wild pig on the drive over, which was named Squeak and it was received with much rejoicing.
Soon after there was a knock at the door which I answered, it was a very tall policeman.
He came in and said a piglet had been stolen from Mt Messenger and the car number plate belonged to Pat, from there it was somehow tracked down to our address.
A phone discussion with the farmer was had and money changed hands for Squeak, who kept the look of a wild pig and had many happy years of back scratches, piglets and supplied many pork chops, etc.
Abu brought a game over from Hawke’s Bay with him called “The Hop”. You had to jump on one leg, then shoulder charge the opponent to make them stand on two legs. Pat was very nimble but my youth got the better of him and with a crash he was toppled and we didn’t Hop again.
We had a holiday trip to Puketitiri, arriving in the Hickeys big car. We saw glow worms in Ball’s Clearing, I saw my first helicopter, an eel was caught and Jesma had a loose tooth.
There was a photo of Abu with a huge tuna which was almost as big as him, a huge thing, caught from the beach.
Michael and I went on a walk around Lake Waikaremoana, where camps were set up. I remember we ate a lot of corn and Michael was homesick.
Abu came and we visited the Hickeys. There were always big political debates, National vs Labour. This time the debate was on User Pays. “Jim”, Pat said, “A poor elderly woman in the autumn years of her life, hobbling down the road needing a hip operation. After all she has done for the country, she can’t afford this operation. Will you let her die in pain?”
The last tall kauri in the forest, still walking. Abu, a man of the people.
Above left, painting of Mt Taranaki by John Ruth; Above right: staunch O’Donnell nephews in Napier for Pat’s 93rd; from left, Hugh, Michael, Tom and Kevin.
SHARING PASSION FOR THE HIKOI
BY JO MAGILL
Pat Magill, my father-in-law. You have been one of the main back bones of my family, a presence there to lend a helping hand at all the right moments.
An amazing and hands-on grandfather to all of my children, Travis, Jerri, Liam and Zoe.
From collecting the kids from school and their out of school activities to dropping off your famous crock pot stew after a long day of work. I loved the connection you had with my dad Abe, an unspoken admiration on both sides was obvious.
In addition to our family connection, your passion of using hikoi as a tool for personal reflection and healing, had you interested in the Spanish Camino walk I had completed. You introduced me to New Zealand’s Te Araroa trail and the opportunities it had to give under-privileged kids a chance to experience something outside their normal life. So that meant you and I creating a new relationship as ‘Walk Mates”.
Some of those adventures are recorded on Facebook page ‘Te Araroa Offers Hope’. I came to know you on a whole new level, for example, your innovative methods to secure sponsorship, at times was to print the company’s logo on the t-shirt, do the walk, then approach them and tell them we have already advertised them!
The one walk I will always remember that just you and I did, we got lost over farmland in the Kapamahunga range on our way to Limeworks near Pirongia. Somehow we both managed to stay calm and composed, but I’m pretty sure you were scratching your head thinking, “Shit, she really doesn’t know what she is doing”. Thank goodness after an hour or so, we saw a colourful movement ahead. It was another Te Araroa trail walker – our prayers were answered!
To this day, you continue to keep a close, loving eye on me and my children and I love you very much Pat.
Arohanui
Above, painting, Ruahine Mountain Range by John Ruth; Photo – Jes, Pat and Jo Magill walking the Te Araroa Trail, in Auckland from Torbay to Devonport – 21kms in total, a half marathon!
A big presence in our lives 255
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
AWARDS, TRAVEL, PARTIES – FUN, FUN, FUN!
BY CAROLINE LAMPP
I have known Pat for more than 20 years since I’ve been living in Hawke’s Bay. I think he sussed me out early on in my role as general manager of Waiapu Anglican Social Services, as someone who might be helpful to the Napier Pilot City Trust.
I was more than happy to lend a hand as the trust and my work were both all about supporting people in our community. Little did I know in the beginning that Pat would have me drawn into many of his schemes and activities for years to come. Not that I minded for a minute really. I have always been in awe of his energy and commitment to his Napier/Ahuriri community.
My time working with Pat has included many years as a trustee of the Napier Pilot City Trust, and several of those years as its chairperson. It has also led me to support initiatives in Maraenui, holiday programmes for children, submissions to parliament, meetings with trust benefactors, etc. in my various roles managing social service agencies in Hawke’s Bay. Pat and I have been on the same page about supporting our local community, in numerous ways.
When I was the president of the Ahuriri Rotary Club and we were looking to honour a community member with a Paul Harris Fellowship, I couldn’t have thought of a more deserving person. Thus he was duly presented with this award at our annual ‘Changeover’ dinner at the golf club. Rotary has a mantra that is “Service before Self” and Pat absolutely typifies that ideal.
Above: On the receiving end: In July 2012 the Rotary Club of Ahuriri recognises Pat’s efforts in the Napier/Ahuriri community. Shipmate and fellow foot soldier Caroline Lampp and Rotary club president that year was delighted to honour Pat on behalf of the club; Opposite, India beckons. Photo by Julian Yu.
Awards, travel, parties – fun, fun, fun! 257
PICTURE THIS – A GLITTERING AWARDS CEREMONY
BY KERRY KITIONE
It was February, 2012 and Pat had been nominated as a finalist for the Senior New Zealander of the Year. Great excitement. Pat and Helen Lloyd, his companion, were flying to Auckland the afternoon of the ceremony (a bit late I thought), and were going straight to the Langham Hotel (now the Cordis) where Pat would change into his glad rags ready for the big night. I had flown up earlier and changed at daughter Jesma’s house and we were to meet Pat and Helen at the hotel.
Meanwhile, the ‘still in Napier’ couple were settling into their seats on the plane, ready to fly into the blue when Helen suddenly said, “Pat, your suit! I’ve left it in the van! “Never mind” said the unflappable Pat, “I’ll wear what I’ve got on”. “Over my dead body” was Helen’s reply, “I’m not going with you in those Op Shop clothes”.
Helen quickly went to the flight attendant and explained the situation. “I’m sorry” she said “but we’re about to close the cabin doors”. Helen then told her Pat was a finalist in the New Zealander of the Year ceremony in a few hours’ time. “How fast can you run?” asked the attendant. “Just go!” Away went Helen as quickly as she could, huffing and puffing. In the meantime the attendant had told the pilot and passengers why their departure was somewhat delayed. The suit was hauled out of the van and Helen panted back up the steps and into the plane, where she received spontaneous applause from all on board.
And so the time had come. Our party of 10 had met at the Langham. Pat looking smart in his hired black suit, and we were enjoying a glass of champagne in the foyer. We started moving to our table and I noticed Pat was walking in a stilted sort of way. I looked down and saw the sole of one of his shoes had come loose. “Pat” I said “look at your shoe – the sole is loose!” “Never mind, I’ll manage”, he said. “You can’t go up on the stage like that, flapping like a seal”. I dashed to the reception desk and for the second time that day, Pat’s situation was explained “I’m sorry, Madam”, replied the concierge, “all we can offer is a rubber band”. I hurried back, twisted the band twice around the shoe and up Pat toddled to the stage, with none at the gathering any the wiser and he made a great speech. We were very proud of him.
Above: Pat was a finalist for the New Zealander of the Year Awards in 2012 and although he didn’t win it was a great honour to be nominated; Good mate John Harre is thrilled to accompany Pat on his big night in Tinsel Town, at The Langham in Auckland for the New Zealander of the Year Awards, 2012; James Barnes honours Pat and joins the happy group.
Who makes a difference in Hawke’s Bay?
Top 100 Buzzmakers
2009 BUZZMAKERS
FIRST FIFTEEN
Kevin Atkinson
Morry Black
John Bostock
Murray Douglas
Rodney Green
Claire Hague
Douglas Lloyd Jenkins
Pat Magill
John Newland
Graeme Norton
David Renouf
Jim Scotland
Neville Smith
Claire Vogtherr
Alayne Watene
1ST 15 INFLUENCER – 2009
STORY BY BAYBUZZ
In 2009 BayBuzz identified one hundred individuals in Hawke’s Bay who made an uncommon impact on the well-being of the region. How can one make an uncommon impact, BayBuzz Digest editor Tom Belford asked? “By excelling in some field of endeavour. By influencing the direction of local government on a regular basis. By leading and motivating others to become involved in community activities. By financially, or by outstanding personal service, supporting community causes and human needs. By championing our environment. By modelling important values and behaviours to others in the community. By significantly driving the region’s economic, social or cultural development”.
Not bad, at 85, being named an Influencer! Here’s what was written at the time:
Pat Magill. Founder of Napier Pilot City Trust, based on the premise that Napier as a city is the ideal size to be a model for social experimentation. Influenced central government and Napier City policy on social services in the late 80s & early 90s, and at age 85 is still going strong. Sponsor of the Robson Collection on Justice Issues at Napier Library and he’s the nemesis of the Sensible Sentencing Trust.
About Pat Magill:
“Pat has made a significant difference to Napier in championing biculturalism, supporting the underdog, showing us the ‘little people’ who work out of the limelight, and thus helping weave the many threads in our community together”.
Above: An 83 year old influencer – that’s pretty cool.
OH THE PLACES HE’S BEEN
BY JES MAGILL
From Chad to Port au Prince and Norway to the Chathams, it’s no surprise that Pat – who laps up new experiences and adventure wherever and whenever he can get it – would take to international travel with his trademark passion and enthusiasm. He is a natural born traveller. Visiting new places, meeting new people, finding out about their lives, the good and the bad and what makes them tick whilst sharing food, wine and good times.
I think there’s a lucky star hanging over Pat and it shines especially bright when he travels. People with good hearts and a sense of fun attract each other so what’s pretty much going to transpire around Pat more often than not, is a jolly good time.
There are several stand out Pat travel stories. There’s the trip one year after Catherine died and Pat felt ready to launch his solo travel career. Four of us headed to UK and Europe for six weeks, Pat, my big sister Jan, cousin Kevin and myself. We kicked off the craic in Ireland, where else, and Pat didn’t need any encouragement to seize every opportunity to learn, explore and enjoy.
He was the senior of the party but he pretty much set the pace and the agenda while us young ones fell in behind and at times, struggled to keep up. His stamina to endure night after night in the smoky pubs left us exhausted and after a week of what felt like standing round pianos singing ‘When Irish Eyes are Smiling’ x 50 times, my bloodshot eyes were set on Scotland and it was independent activities for all for a week.
Catching up again with Pat in London, things felt a little out of whack. Our accommodation was quite nice, while Pat preferred the backpacker option. He wanted fun and enthusiasm regularly and while we did our best to oblige we couldn’t always guarantee it!
One morning he knocked on our hotel door, dressed warmly for the crisp autumn day, kitted out with day pack, coat and cap, looking cute and Paddington Bear-ish. He was off to Brighton for the day and his sense for adventure was palpable. I attempted to attach a name tag on his coat toggle but he was off before I could call out, “What time will you be home?”
This same sense of adventure surrounded him as he headed across Europe for a few weeks on a Europass and did he have a blast! Amsterdam first and the six museums. It was a different experience, receiving a postcard from your dad displaying seven different coloured condoms for each day of the week on the front! Paris wasn’t his thing but generally backpacker venues in Europe exceeded expectations and offered him continual opportunities for lively debate with new buddies and a social life guaranteed.
He told us that one night at a backpackers, he fell out of a top bunk. He didn’t mention any injuries so he must have had just the right amount to drink. Then there was the time he inadvertently inspired a fight between a lesbian couple. One in the partnership found Pat fascinating, which miffed the other partner, so much so that fists flew, while Pat sloped off into the shadows leaving them to it. And now at 94, the adventures just have not stopped.
Above, exploring NZ and Europe; Opposite: Helen and Pat, out and about in India in 2007.
PAT SPEAKS AT TIHAR PRISON
At ICOPA in Lagos in 2002 Pat met the Catholic prison chaplain from Tihar Prison in New Delhi, India’s largest and second most notorious at the time, and the two men stayed in touch. Heading back to India in 2007 with Helen this time, they contacted their ICOPA foot soldier and asked if they could visit the prison. Random visitors from Aotearoa wouldn’t normally be allowed in but Pat has special powers, plus he and Helen had recently read Dr Kiran Bedi’s books I Dare and It’s Always Possible – One Woman’s Transformation of Tihar Prison and were really keen to see how the facility operated.
Bedi had been posted to the Delhi Prisons as Inspector General in May 1993 and by using a new focus on prevention and education, she transformed Tihar into a centre of learning and mediation. The combination of her management philosophy and social activist heart gave her global acclaim and respect.
“We held up Kiran’s book in front of about 100 inmates who were all sitting crossed legged on the grass,” says Pat. “I talked to them for about three minutes, assisted by an interpreter, and praised Kiran Bedi’s humanity and their own efforts at rehabilitation. At the end they cheered because we had come to respect them and their prison model. This was an amazing experience. The prison was clean, orderly and had a presence of calm. There were murals adorning the walls, music therapy groups and ponds with geese and ducks. The inmates ran their own radio station and were responsible for cooking their own food. This is an inspirational model that Aotearoa desperately needs”.
PAT’S DELIWOOD AUDITION
BY HELEN LLOYD
Pat and I have enjoyed a lot of travel together and all in all, we’re pretty good travel buddies. The world is awash with happy travel tales though so I’m going to share our most challenging and entertaining story; entertaining for those who weren’t there, that is!
Even before we left NZ shores for India in 2007, the signs were there, that we were in for an interesting time. Travelling with Pat is never ever boring and this trip sure confirmed it. Things started to unravel when Pat rang and said, “We’re not leaving Wednesday, we go tomorrow, two days earlier than I thought”. Bit of a wild scramble but we got to Auckland Airport OK. We were in the departure lounge and I said to Pat, “Can you mind these books please while I go to the bathroom?” when I returned, the books had gone and Pat was up at the counter doing something or other.
We arrive in Bombay only to discover our hotel booking wasn’t until the next day. Things just kept going from bad to worse. My handbag was stolen and Pat’s wallet and clothes were lost in a laundry and on the 4th of December we turned up at the Indira Ghandi [Gandhi] Airport in Delhi to be told we’d missed our flight by 24 hours. Our fault I suppose, by the way it was written on the itinerary, 4th December 0005. Apparently lots of people make this mistake and you’d think they would make it clearer. Anyway, that was no comfort to us as we now had to find a hotel near the airport and of course the first four or five were full. Around 3am we found a place where we could put our heads down for a few hours.
Next morning we were up early and off to the YMCA where we knew there was a travel agency. After many problems trying to get the $1,200 needed from the vending machines and with the help of a very kind rickshaw driver, we finally managed to get another booking to Bangkok. We were to fly out at 12.45am that night, well, early morning. Thank goodness, we could connect with our flight home to NZ. Pat was looking decidedly jaded and we were really elated to be leaving. The YMCA arranged for a car to take us to the airport. Great – we were on our way.
We fronted up to the counter with our tickets and put our luggage on the weighing machine. Pat was absolutely buggered, lifting luggage up and down stairs in the middle of the night, in and out of taxis. He had had enough. Then the lady at the counter said, “I’m sorry Madam, these tickets are for the 5th January”. Well, I thought, ain’t that dandy? Now what do we do? I tried to rescue our luggage while Pat tried to put our case to whoever would listen.
What happened next might not be entirely honest but it worked a treat. Pat did a major Deli-wood. He buckled at the knees as I rushed to hold him up against the counter while yelling, “Can someone get a wheelchair!?” People ran in all directions, the wheelchair arrived and water was given. When things quietened down a bit I put my hand on Pat’s brow. He looked very flushed for one who had supposedly fainted. I asked him, genuinely concerned, “Are you OK?” He looked up, winked and said, “How am I doing, Mate?” I had just witnessed a convincing performance and was I relieved to realise that. The staff wanted to get a doctor but I said, “No, he needs to see his own doctor in New Zealand”. Well, would you believe it, we [they] booked us on a flight that night. They sat us behind the counter at the boarding gate for a couple of hours so they could keep an eye on us. We tried not to look too happy, but I can assure you we were.
262 Awards, travel, parties – fun, fun, fun!
PAT BIRTHDAYS
#PATSMANTRA – “It’s gotta be fun!”
Telegraphics
Birthdays, especially those celebrating milestone ages such as 21, 30, 40, 50 or so on can be memorable affairs for the participants – but one held last Saturday night will probably live long in the memory of many of Napier’s leading identities.
It was held at the Waiohiki marae to mark the 60th birthday of Napier businessman, Mr Pat Magill, one of the leading proponents of the idea of Napier as a pilot city. In keeping with the theme of the concept of everyone living in harmony and peace, his birthday celebration mixed cultures, social status and talents into a blend all those who attended found delightful.
Politicians, doctors, academics, lawyers, teachers, policemen, social workers and gang members were just some of the people present.
Denis O’Reilly, seen for the first time in most people’s memories in a tie, was the master of ceremonies and entertainment was provided by, among others, the Ratana band, St Joseph’s Maori Girls’ College concert party, the Takitimu Trust, and singer Bill Paxie.
Instead of gifts, the people attending were asked by Pat Magill to make a koha (gift) to the marae and as a result of the generosity of those attending, more than $1100 was raised.
Still on birthday themes we have heard of a New Plymouth man who went to pick up his grandchildren for his birthday party, only to be presented with a gift from each which was a small piece of material.
60TH BIRTHDAY
“Pat is both a treasure and a thorn in the side, a rebutt to the Sensible Sentencers, a seasoned fund raiser for the many causes and people he supports, a friend to the friendless and homeless and a ‘conscience’ to us, showing us another way of looking at the world.”
MAXINE BOAG
70TH BIRTHDAY
80TH BIRTHDAY
When Pat and Denis O’Reilly met back in the 70s, the scene was set for the creation of events that have brought foot soldiers, ship mates and visionaries in Ahuriri’s community development and social justice space together over the years. These events are multi-faceted but primarily they further the shared kaupapa of those gathered; to help strengthen communities, maybe raise some funds and have some fun along the way. Top Image: Telegraphics: Denis set the bar high with Pat’s 60th birthday celebration at Waiohiki Marae back in 1986. This was his first birthday extravaganza for Pat and what a stellar night – unique and inspirational and the good times just keep on rolling; Middle: Mo Ropitini joins in the fun at the 70th held at Jay Em Trust in Onekawa in 1996; Bottom: The 80th rolls around and Pat’s still smiling.
Awards, travel, parties – fun, fun, fun! 263
“How can you retire from caring? That’s Pat’s dilemma and a win for the community each time he changes his mind”
HOW DO YOU RETIRE FROM CARING?
PAT’S 80TH, SEPTEMBER 2006
At a Civic Award presentation that coincided with his 80th birthday Pat was honoured by the Napier City Council on behalf of all those who have benefited from his mahi, and for making and continuing to make a difference. Some of his closest colleagues reflected on Pat’s contributions and his unique modus operandi and their speeches acknowledged that he was about to retire. Wrong call! By this stage he’s threatened retirement several times, usually when he’s finding the speed of change required to create that kinder, fairer city he’s so passionate about, way too slow. But how can you retire from caring? That’s Pat’s dilemma and a win for the community each time he changes his mind.
In the introduction to the presentations, Pat was told: “They say that what goes around comes around, you get back what you put out, and you reap what you sow. For decades now Pat Magill has given himself, heart, body and soul to the task of making our fair city a better place for all its citizens.
“Now the people of Napier say thank you to Pat, for his tireless work – building, strengthening and connecting our community at the grassroots level. Our city is a better place because of Pat’s tireless service to seeking solutions for Napier’s social problems.”
Above: Pat is awarded an OBE by Sir Keith Holyoake in 1978 for his services to the community – he was national president of the YMCA at the time. Catherine accompanies Pat throughout the proud and humbling occasion; Millie guards the medal for years, safely deposited under her mattress.
Top: Jerry from Vanuatu gets in birthday groove with Helen Lloyd and Pat. The venue for this party is Pat’s back lawn and Jan Magill just loves making bunting; Bottom: Karen Easterman and family from Tauranga keep the life-long friendship between her father, Alan Peake, and Pat strong: Congratulating Pat are from left Grace, Geoff, Penny, Clare, William and Kathryn.
Awards, travel, parties – fun, fun, fun! 265
There were meant to be five events for Pat’s 90th but luckily reason prevailed and the programme was scaled back to four. It’s not that five events would be too much for Pat, it’s his support crew that gets exhausted!
PAT TURNS 90, 2016
On the eve of Pat’s 90th birthday, Maxine Boag said at yet another civic presentation that Pat continues to make a difference to many people and organisations and his story is an important part of Napier’s history:
“A pakeha of Irish ethnicity, Pat has for a long time been a relentless social-justice-Treaty activist. He goes to the courthouse weekly, supports many and is well loved in the Maori community. He has spearheaded many community events and fearlessly fought against incarceration of Maori. He has organised dozens of Treaty workshops and sold Robert Consedine’s book “Healing our History” wherever he goes amongst pakeha. Pat is both a treasure and a thorn in the side, a rebutt to the Sensible Sentencers, a seasoned fund raiser for the many causes and people he supports, a friend to the friendless and homeless and a ‘conscience’ to us, showing us another way of looking at the world.”
93 TODAY!
Clockwise from top left: The first stop on Pat’s 93rd birthday hikoi was the stunning spiritual Waitangi Regional Park and Atea a Rangi star compass at Awatoto; a humbling tribute and lunch for Pat and foot soldiers at Kohupatiki Marae, Ann Redstone, HDC, Pat, Napier City Councillor Maxine Boag and Napier mayor Kirsten Wise; Stepping out and feeling the buzz. Bottom photo by Lee Pritchard. Opposite, clockwise from top: Pat with his sister, children and grandchildren on his 90th birthday; Ratana Minister Hori Reti, Pat and Denis O’Reilly, MC extraordinaire. The hikoi this year was from Pukemokimoki Marae to Waiohiki Creative Arts Village. Pat leads the way and whanau and friends loved it too.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
WHOSE GOD? PAT ON RELIGION & SPIRITUALITY
“Religion isn’t a big deal for me. I am moved by the simplicity of Friends of the Quaker faith. The Quakers believe that goodness and love is born in us all and this best reflects my own beliefs”.
“Catherine and I were both born into fear. She in the Catholic faith, to parents of a mixed marriage; me in the Open Brethren, with the threat hanging over my head as a young boy of incarceration in hell if I wasn’t “saved”. I mentioned earlier in the book that my bible class teacher Mr Pearson told us there were no Catholics in heaven, which confused me, and my father agreed with the teacher. My father’s business was reliant on Catholics shopping at his store during the Depression as we were poor and Catholics buttered our bread. This made me doubt, not believe, and ponder, “Who does hold the truth?”.
“There were contradictions everywhere. My father gave most of his profit to poor Catholics living near the shop around Carlyle Street because he cared, and because of the hypocrisy that surrounded me. I had no fear in marrying a lovely Catholic girl, who herself was told by the nuns, ‘Do not stand next to ‘Proddys’ at funerals’. My father didn’t attend our wedding in New Plymouth and Catherine’s Catholic father Mago said he understood. Because of religion, our fathers never met.
“Catherine’s father Mago had reneged on an agreement; that Catherine’s Swedish mother Emma could bring her children up in her Wesleyan faith. Mago was told by priests to, “Forget that promise”, and Mago then demanded the children be brought up as Catholics. So I was asked to sign a form stating that all our children would be brought up as Catholics. As part of the deal, I attended religious instruction with a priest and I was required to read a book as well, which I dutifully did but can’t recall the title.
“Apart from attending the children’s first communions, I decided not to join the family at mass. I supported Catherine in other ways when work was required around the parish. Often on a Sunday after she had left for church
Opposite: The sun rises on all our faiths. Declan Summers. Ahuriri Estuary, image by Lee Pritchard.
Whose god? Pat on religion & spirituality 269
I would walk over to Ahuriri and up and over the hill to St Patrick’s to help count the money that had been collected during the service. This needed to be cleared with the priest first though whether I could help out. It was thought unusual to have a Proddy count the money that was collected from Mickeys! My three sons envied me not having to attend mass.
“When a few Catholic priests were ‘playing up’ Catherine suggested that if she had her time over again, she would like to join a friendly local community group that focused on local needs. Like many of her friends, she was started to doubt the faith so I suggested that she still could join a community group, to which she replied she was too scared. “I need a foot in both camps”, she said.
“Religion isn’t a big deal for me. I am moved by the simplicity of Friends of the Quaker faith. The Quakers believe that goodness and love is born in us all and this best reflects my own beliefs”.
Janice becomes a “bride of Christ” on her confirmation day with Mary-Ann and Rob looking impressed; Below: the family turns out proudly for Tim’s and John’s confirmation.
Napier – A Child Friendly City
MARAENUI MANA, MARAENUI PRIDE, MARAENUI HARD
SPIRITUALITY PAT STYLE: A PEDDLER FOR GOOD
More often than not, when you see Pat around town, in meetings, or at conferences, he’ll be clutching something to him, holding it close for dear life. It’s usually a book, often Healing our History, or it might be a crumpled brochure. For several years he was always brandishing a printed PowerPoint presentation Napier – Child Friendly City by a group of Maraenui Bilingual School children, which contained their heart-breaking plea for a kinder, fairer city and for gangs to sign a peace treaty.
Whatever it is that’s inspiring and resonating with Pat at the time, he will believe that it contains the antidote to the world’s current troubles; that he holds the elixir in his hands.
While Pat has eschewed the formal, restrictive religion of his upbringing, he has retained some of its evangelical characteristics. He has created his own religion of which Napier adopting a Child Friendly City kaupapa is key. To Pat these books and booklets, these messages – are taonga, they’re talisman. He is a peddler for good. “Read this”, he’ll say. See the light, be enlightened, hear the penny drop. For most in Pat’s orbit this is heartening, comforting and endearing, just as healthy religion should be, really.
“For any religion to be credible, to be true, it needs love at its heart”, he says. There should be nothing that preys on fear or reeks of power grabbing or greed to amass wealth. There should simply be love and integrity.
When the whanau discovered a few years back that Pat attends Quaker meetings we were surprised and intrigued. “How’s that, Pat? What happens there?” “Oh, this and that”, he said. “And I often have a really good sleep”. Perhaps the sign of a clear conscience, we thought, or possibly a fun night out? Knowing Pat it was probably both.
Above: A presentation created by tamariki from Maraenui Bilingual School to deliver at the Napier pilot City Unity Day in 2019’ this powerful document still resonates deeply with Pat.
Whose god? Pat on religion & spirituality 271
We are each made for goodness, love and compassion. Our lives are transformed as much as the world is when we live with these truths.
DESMOND TUTU
Above: Liz Remmerswaal, Kay Whelan, Lowana Crawford, Pat Magill and Adrian Skelton; Below: Liz Remmerswaal, Jae Sutherland (Kay’s daughter), Kay and Pat.
QUAKERS IN AOTEAROA
BY LIZ REMMERSWAAL
“Peace requires something far more difficult than revenge. It requires empathising with the fears and unmet needs that provide the impetus for people to attack each other.”
MARSHALL ROSENBERG
I met dear Pat about 25 years ago when I was involved in the Restorative Justice network.
He is such a treasured friend and has been a constant supporter of me, my husband Ton and my work in peace and the environment.
The loveliest thing about Pat is his encouragement and positivity, seeing the best in people as well as calling things out when they are wrong. Pat’s ‘personalism’ is a big part of his beautiful way of being, which compels him to always respond to my emails, telling me where he is in his travels, and asking for help for those who need it. He is loved by so many and has helped countless people, new friends and old.
Pat’s big mission in life has been facilitating long overdue education about Te Tiriti o Waitangi, assisted by the Napier Pilot City Trust and Kerry Kitione. For many years he organised Healing Our History workshops with Robert Consedine from Christchurch and invited local politicians and others to come along and learn about Aotearoa in order to “fix it”. His friendship with former New Plymouth mayor Andrew Judd has been inspirational and Andrew often speaks at Quaker gatherings.
Since then, Pat’s kaupapa has been the Te Araroa Trail, which he dubbed ‘The Poor Man’s Outward Bound’, and taking groups of at risk youth along on hikoi to experience its healing wairua and Pat is the living embodiment of this. His love of walking and benefits of it for mental as well as physical health has stood him in good stead. He has remained fit and active for over nine decades and is sharp as a tack besides.
It was great when Pat decided to come along to our local Quaker group, inspired I think by the wonderful Canadian Ruth Morris, who he spoke about often.
Founded in 1652 in England, Quakers is about humanity; about going forward and contributing to the social landscape and it has evolved over the years. In some ways, compared to its dramatic origins when Quakers were regularly thrown into jail for not doffing their hats at the ‘toffs’ (part of their belief that everyone is equal), it has become a little mainstream, less activist, more into planting vegies and choosing not to fly in a bid to reduce carbon emissions, that kind of thing; although penal reform has long been a very important strand of the Society of Friends, as Quakers call themselves.
I think the founder of Quakers, George Fox, would totally endorse Pat’s modus operandi and I think Pat is intrinsically a Quaker. He lives and breathes the principles, but he has his own way of operating, which some struggle with at times.
He can be a little impulsive; do things first and then ask questions or apply for funding later! But back to his wonderfulness – with his talking of “foot soldiers” and “shipmates” he always spurs us into action.
Pat has been such a great support and encourager. One of the most important things that he has taught me is to focus on one thing, and not spread oneself too thinly, an important lesson. There have been challenges, and times when just a word of encouragement and understanding makes all the difference. It’s very precious to have someone like Pat in your corner.
Whose god? Pat on religion & spirituality 273
#PAT-SPEAK
Embracing biculturalism is the key to healing Aotearoa.
#PAT-SPEAK – TO LIZ VIA EMAIL
“Maori at the summit were sick of many of us dumb pakeha, telling Maori how to fix Maori.”
“After your talk yesterday it brought home again the urgency of loving; trying to understand our own neighbours who live amongst us, and then the bigger picture of world peace can be better understood.”
“Where we stand is what we see. Who we listen to is what we hear. What we do is who we are”. Robert McAfee.
“We can share with our institutions the benefits of long walking to prevent recidivism and encourage strength and support for those who need it. If you are not able to walk, just encourage participation.”
“Our kaupapa is “inclusiveness!!!”
Peace requires something far more difficult than revenge. It requires empathising with the fears and unmet needs that provide the impetus for people to attack each other”. Marshall Rosenberg
QUAKERS HAWKE’S BAY ACTION LIST
Continue to honour Te Tiriti in all aspects
Work harder to honour the vision
Strive towards equality, justice and peace making and put them into the community for a better world for all
We have to do something about our faulty and fallen, and our so called justice system
Continue the focus on sustainability
Above: Painting by John Ruth, Wairea [Waireia] Church, Hokianga.
QUAKERS POST-COVID VISION FOR A BETTER WORLD
FROM QUAKERS IN AOTEAROA NEW ZEALAND
2020
We Quakers find hope in the communal response to the Covid-19 crisis across our nation. The collective action of New Zealanders has demonstrated how much we can achieve together in a short time. We see the current pandemic as a warning which creates an unprecedented opportunity for systemic change and as a call to remodel our nation guided by the principles of sustainability, non-violence, simplicity and equity. This is a transformation that will require redistributive and regenerative economic, government and social policies that ensure all members of society benefit in an equitable manner.
Our vision is of a society that is inclusive and respectful of all people. We affirm the special constitutional position of Maori. Our goal is government which leads with integrity, shares information based on evidence, and engages with communities prior to decision-making. We oppose violence at every level and look to practices that bring peaceful dialogue and non-violent management of conflict.
Quakers have a strong sense of the sanctity of creation. We are committed to the development of systems and new societal norms to rebalance climate disruption. This will preserve biodiversity and water quality and enable New Zealanders to live simpler lives within sustainable natural boundaries. We support the use of national resources to provide housing, low-carbon transport, and regenerative food production to benefit future generations.
We fear that society has been putting profit and consumption above other considerations despite clear evidence that earth’s natural limits have been exceeded. This world is now experiencing a pandemic that has arisen in part from the way in which humans have been living. Lifestyles have been destroying the natural systems required by future generations. Decades of neoliberal economic and social policies have allowed a few people to set the agenda and benefit disproportionately. This has condemned many of our fellow citizens to low wages, poverty and insecurity whilst also degrading eco-systems.
Quakers consider that the current pandemic offers the people of Aotearoa New Zealand a chance to reassess the situation and to create a new sense of community and purpose. We see this experience with Covid-19 as the impetus to find a way forward based firmly on compassionate values.
Quakers call on every person in Aotearoa New Zealand to bring about whatever changes they can to enable us to live in harmony with one another and with the planet.
PAT RIFFS ON THE QUAKER FAITH
The Quakers suffered religious persecution for 500 years for walking away from the Church of England. When they shared their beliefs that “goodness and love is born in us all”, the system didn’t like that.
Clockwise from top left, Jes, Pat and Rob have a quiet prayer session before heading to Helen Lloyd’s 80th birthday which celebrated sinners and saints; Holy Heck! Helen and Pat acting up; it’s not everyday the Pope, the Devil and Donald Trump fraternise; pretending to preach; it’s holy water, Sister.
have a little faith … quakers
Vintage: 1652
Stats: There are an estimated 210,000 Quakers worldwide, with about 1146 in New Zealand.
HQ: Swarthmore Hall, near Ulverston, England
The boss: George Fox (1624-1691) was born in Leicestershire, England. As a child he was of serious religious disposition; his education was based around the faith and practice of the Church of England. As Fox grew older he became puzzled by the inconsistency between what Christians said they believed and the way they behaved. He became a religious activist at 19 and was imprisoned eight times for preaching views that annoyed the religious and political establishment.
The skinny: Quakers – also known as the Religious Society of Friends – believe there is a direct relationship between God and each believer; that there is “something of God in every person”. They regard all human beings as equal and containing goodness and truth, they do not accept value judgments based on race or gender and they welcome diversity. A written list of beliefs is considered inappropriate. Quakers feel people should follow their “inner light” rather than external rules. A Quaker meeting consists of people sitting in a room in silence. The service has no structure and no one leads it. Social justice and civil rights issues lie at the heart of modern Quakerism; many followers are activists of various kinds and the majority oppose war and aggression.
And when you die? Quakers do not share a collective view on what happens after death. It is said they tend to concentrate on making this world better rather than pondering what happens after leaving it.
Famous Quaker: James Dean
Slogan: “Live simply that others may simply live”. FELICITY MONK
Quakers 101 – a great read on a lesser known faith. Pat loves the peaceful gatherings.
CHAPTER TWENTY
AND WHERE TO FROM HERE …
We asked Pat “Where to from here” and of course this opened a Pandora’s Box of ideas. It seems he would like another 90 years to follow through on his various initiatives and see the fruition of a more equitable and kind community! However, he recognises that his age and health might limit his future input to Ahuriri – the city that he loves and the people that he treasures, although we’re yet to see a slowdown!
Pat mentioned a few housekeeping issues he’d like to see followed up within Council, as submitted to their annual plan:
HOUSEKEEPING TIME: TO MAYOR KIRSTEN WISE AND HER COUNCIL
Record Ahuriri/Napier’s social history and tell its story as New Zealand’s first and only “Pilot City”.
Revive the brilliant mural in the foyer of our Napier Court by iconic artist Sandy Adsett and refresh the Napier Pilot City logos on the stairs of the Napier and Family Court.
Re-establish and reinvigorate our Napier City Community Development Unit
Establish our suburban shopping centres such as Maraenui as “Child Friendly Maraenui, Ahuriri Napier” and provide resources so our children can “be safe and have fun”.
And more broadly:
TOWARDS A KINDER, FAIRER CITY – WE KNOW WHAT WORKS SO LET’S JUST DO IT
Surely, it’s time now to adopt change in the Criminal Justice system. There have been enough reports. He Waka Roimata and Turuki! Turuki! were released in 2019 by the Safe and Effective Justice Advisory Group, chaired by Chester Burrows. Turuki! repeats recommendations made in the 1989 Roper Report which highlighted deficiencies. Change is overdue.
Offer education that engages the most marginalised, as per the kaupapa of the Hawke’s Bay Community College, 1875, when Non-Vocational Education was provided. Napier Pilot City Trust will suggest to the Minister of Education that members of the community be encouraged to apply for resources to implement programmes in the community with the
Above, Philip Stenning, a criminologist with Victoria University and long time Trust supporter enjoys a BBQ at Pat’s place. Opposite: Pat with Jan Marie Cook, mural artist for this work titled “Building Communities Not Prisons” at the Napier Police Station, since removed due to construction work “We’ll put another up soon” says Pat (photo credit NZME)
And where to from here … 279
intention of opening the way for wider support and funding
Police – develop a better relationship with tamariki and rangitahi. Employ staff who have empathy and are committed to supporting the vulnerable and keen to help enable positive change
Teach the Treaty properly and be committed to its provisions for the future of Aotearoa. I believe a better understanding of the Treaty will lead to better outcomes towards a kinder and fairer city
Support Andrew Judd (former mayor of New Plymouth) in his hosting of a meeting in Napier covering the relevance of The Treaty of Waitangi towards achieving a kinder and fairer nation
Embed successful programmes, such as drug rehabilitation, life and parenting skills, into the fabric of communities. Fund successful programmes consistently and prevent politics and other agendas from affecting the delivery of programmes that make a difference
Reach out to the gangs who I believe will cooperate with strategies that include provision for the wellbeing of all citizens. Such strategies will be included in korero to be shared in the annual Unity Week leading up to ANZAC Day 2021. Resulting recommendations will be shared with the Ministers for Corrections and Oranga Tamariki
Acknowledge both the work of Whanganui Prisoner’s Aid and Rehabilitation (Steve Treloar) in his 29 years of service, and Taumarunui as a Child Friendly town. The work of WPARS is an ideal model that deserves wider interest from the Minister of Corrections and Oranga Tamariki, as do the Taumarunui initiatives. The Napier Pilot City Trust and myself will highlight these efforts to ensure they are brought to the Minster’s attention.
TOWARDS THE FUTURE – FORGING A PATH TO BE PROUD OF
“There’s a lot of good going on but there’s a bit of crap too”, says Pat. “Napier is a good town, but it can be a better town. We need to keep the city doing better and prevent kids from being hurt”. When people ask Pat how this can happen, he replied, “By embracing biculturalism and becoming a Child Friendly City. It’s that simple.”
AND IN CONCLUSION
“A big thank you to all my heroes, foot soldiers, shipmates and legacy torchbearers … and all power to our efforts to forge change and improve the future outlook for everyone in our community.
“To those who believe that living in kinder, fairer cities is everyone’s right, not just a birth right for some, believe that anything is possible, that ‘history and hope’ can rhyme.”
Above, Pilot City Trustees, back left to right, Shirley Tobeck, Mark Cleary, Alwyn Corban. Front left to right, Alyson Bullock and Joan Plowman (Absent trustees: Ross Duncan and Rizwanna [Rizwaana] Latiff). “Keep pushing the boundaries”, Pat says.
280 And where to from here …
PAT’S HAUTUPUA AWARDS
To the legends, heroes, foot soldiers, shipmates and legacy torchbearers everywhere – who mahi consistently in the community for others, spreading love and sharing guidance where and when it’s needed most. Pat would love to mention the thousands of people who do this every day but there could never be enough time and space to recognise this generosity of spirit appropriately. “I think of you all every day, as beacons of hope”, he says. So, here we make a start, recognising Pat’s inaugural Hautupua Awards
AHURIRI ANGELS STILL DOING THE MAHI
For the past 16 years, as Pat walks the Ahuriri Estuary most days, more often than not he sees a couple of legends he knows well. Yvonne Aranui and Ian Matehe will likely be with the waka ama at the estuary, either in the early morning supporting the crew for the first row, or at the end of the day training and guiding the rangitahi; teaching them how to paddle the canoes and navigate life’s challenges as well.
“Ian and Yvonne have been making a tireless contribution to rangitahi for years, rangitahi who over time respond so well to the positive, healthy experiences they’re receiving. It’s transformational”, Pat says.
Recognised for the mahi with Pilot City Trust Awards several years ago, Yvonne and Ian are busy with their own jobs. Ian works nights for a freight company, signs off in the morning and heads straight down to the estuary. Yvonne works for the ministry of Health in Early Childhood Education where her days are more than full, but for rangitahi there’s always time.
Above: Image, Waka Ama, Ahuriri Estuary, by Lee Pritchard; Images, right: Ian Matehe and Yvonne Aranui, the waka ama angels at Ahuriri Estuary; The teams below – showing how it’s done.
And where to from here … 281
“Charlotte is always ready to wrap her arms and heart around those affected by the system; especially the innocent victims who suffer more challenges and hardship than they should have to face.”
Another legend is renowned kaumatua and Yvonne’s husband Tiwana Aranui, committed to his demanding role with Maori Health Services at HBDHB, in his spare time Tiwana is hugely valued for his skill and commitment in assisting others apply for funding from EIT. “Tiwana’s passion for seeking a kinder, fairer and safer Ahuriri/Napier and improving the lives of all citizens, is a beacon of hope”.
“Ahuriri Maori Wardens are the unsung heroes of our community. From the Downtown Y days with Chris Mill, and the late Minnie Ratima supporting offenders and victims in the Napier Court, through to today and the amazing court support work carried out by Zita Smith and Hosie Kewley; the system would be much worse without you”.
Denis O’Reilly: Occasionally these days Pat walks up the hill to Otatara Pa above EIT and looks down over Waiohiki Marae. He has huge admiration for the mahi and energy that’s growing up and the new marae building on its way to completion. A powerhouse for good, “Nga mihi nui, Denis, for your energy, aroha and superb editing skills”.
Reverend Kaumatua Matiu Eru and Pat go back a long way. Right from early Hawke’s Bay Community College days, they’ve shared the vision and the Kaupapa for a better Ahuriri/Napier and they’re still going strong. And Mati’s gentle, insightful Te Reo Maori skills are legend.
Doug Laing, “Legend”. A senior reporter from Daily Telegraph days. Doug is now a stalwart with Hawke’s Bay Today. Aside from his generous “open all hours” wairua, Doug is committed to seeking out good news and creating good will. For years he has driven kids who live in his neighbourhood to athletics and sometimes paid their fees, so they can continue to participate in something that will help define and shape them.
And finally, to Wahine Toa Charlotte Edmonds who shows unconditional love to her whanau and especially her mokopuna when they are in need of tender loving care. “Charlotte is always ready to wrap her arms and heart around those effected by the system; especially the innocent victims who suffer more challenges and hardship than they should have to face”.
Clockwise from top left: Hautupua Award winners continute [continue], Tiwana Aranui; Denis O’Reilly; Reverend Matiu Eru; Charlotte Edmonds with mokopuna, and Doug Laing: Opposite, Gull at the estuary, photo by Lee Pritchard.
282 And where to from here …
“One of the things I recall often about Pat is his advice regarding negative dynamics and provincial thinking. He said be like Jonathan Livingston Seagull and fly high above the drama and keep a strategic outlook. He is a person who floats hope in the community and believes that change is going to come – we just have to keep pushing the boundaries.”
TORO WAAKA
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FIRST PUBLISHED IN APRIL 2021, AND REPRINTED IN MAY 2021
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