Book traces Waikato River history
When I travelled on the recent tour of the sites known to be important in the life of Wiremu Tamihana, I took with me this book by Prof Paul Moon, The Waikato: A History of New Zealand’s Greatest River
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Our Past
History in the making or past events revisited.
Tamihana tour inspires
Tamahere’s most notable historic figure, Wiremu Tamihana, left big shoes to fill as around 50 locals learnt today on a unique tour of Waikato sites significant in his life.
In what could be precedent setting tourism, the hopes, words and deeds of the remarkable 19th century rangatira were revealed as still relevant today.
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Tāmihana’s peace covenant 155 years on
On this day, May 27, 1865, Wiremu Tāmihana Tarapīpipi Te Waharoa laid down his taiaha before British Brigadier General G. J. Carey at Tamahere.
It was Tamihana’s ‘te maungarongo’ (covenant of peace) and like so much of the legendary Ngati Haua leader’s peaceful efforts it was misinterpreted.
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Day marks firefighters’ sacrifice
Today, International Firefighters’ Day, some turn their thoughts to the late senior station officer Derek Lovell.
Manawatū Fire and Emergency area commander Mitchell Brown told Stuff that each year on the day his thoughts are dominated by Lovell, who died from injuries in a blast at Tamahere 12 years ago.
“It was pretty surreal,” said Brown,
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Tamahere legacy lives on
Today is a day Tamahere can reflect on other tough times – the 12th anniversary of the Icepak fire that claimed the life of firefighter Derek Lovell.
The lives of seven other firefighters were changed forever, too, in central Tamahere on a sunny April 5 much like today. Seriously injured were Merv Neil, Alvan Walker, Brian Halford, Cameron Grylls, David Beanland, Adrian Brown and Dennis Wells.
That day, also, brave and selfless locals went to the aid of the seriously injured firefighters.
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Tamihana, a NZ great
Tamahere’s preeminent historical figure, Ngati Haua rangatira Wiremu Tamihana, has again been hailed as one of New Zealand’s greatest figures.
Yesterday, to mark the reprinting of the seminal, 2002 biography by Dame Evelyn Stokes, Wiremu Tamihana Rangatira, historian Vincent O’Malley gave a public lecture at Waikato University.
To a large audience that included many Ngati Haua, O’Malley said the evidence Tamihana was one of the most outstanding people in NZ history was overwhelming.
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Matangi’s historic Armistice Day
Armistice Day, November 11, will be a particularly historic day in Matangi this year.
For more than a hundred years, locals have called for a Roll of Honour for those from the Matangi district who served in the armed forces during World War 1. One hundred and four years later, that day has finally arrived.
At 11am on Sunday November 11, the Roll of Honour will be placed in the Matangi Hall, 480 Tauwhare Rd.
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Principal reflects on fire
Today, like April 5, 2008, was a stunningly beautiful, warm, Waikato day with blue sky overhead and crunchy, autumn leaves underfoot.
Then the neighbourhood blew up, transformed in nanoseconds into a frightening, confusing nightmare of noise, chaos, roaring flames and a huge, black mushroom cloud funnelling high into the sky.
Ten years on, Tamahere School principal Waveney Parker has recalled the school community’s many courageous roles that afternoon, and in the weeks ahead.
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Suffering and superheroes: fire anniversary
The 10th anniversary of the fatal Icepak Tamahere fire has prompted another publication to look back a decade to April 5, 2008.
Raewyn Koppens describes the day she thought she’d died as an experience coloured with suffering and superheroes, reports the Waikato Times.
The light of a warm Saturday afternoon turned to darkness, and through a smokey haze, figures began to appear.
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Icepak fire 10 years on
As the 10th anniversary of the fatal Icepak Tamahere fire draws near news publications are looking back on the April 5, 2008 event.
In a feature story, the NZ Herald has checked on the surviving firefighters to find their memories of the day and where they are now.
Merv Neil says the blast felt like a big kick up the backside. As he struggled to his feet he was engulfed in an orange ball of flame. Shielding himself, he briefly looked up to see an enormous cloud of smoke in the sky.
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