June 13, 2016
Ngati Kuri stories shared by last Gumdigger
Te Taitokerau MP Kelvin Davis says the death of 28 Maori Battalion veteran Charlie Petera is a reminder of the need to listen to our elders and remember their stories.
Mr Petera died on Friday aged 92 at his home in Ngataki.
Mr Davis says he arrived at the house soon after and was privileged to share time with the family as they shared stories about their father.
He says he should be remembered not just for his service in North Africa and Italy with A Company, the Gumdiggers, but for his contributions throughout his life particularly in the revival of Ngati Kuri as a distinct iwi.
"His son was recounting how when they drove from Ngataki to Te Hapua, he would point out this knoll and this hill and this river and that tree and each thing he pointed to had a story of its own and he says in this day and age when we just need to push a button and record things, how they regret they haven't recorded all these stories and a lot of these things have gone to the grave with their father," Mr Davis says.
Charlie Peter’s tangi is at Waiora Marae in Ngataki with the funeral service Tuesday morning.
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