Guide Rangi

Rangitiaria Dennan (Ngāti Tarawhai, Ngāti Pikiao, Tuhourangi) was born on July 14, 1897 in Ngapuna, near Rotorua.

She was the fourth child of Mango Ratema and Tuhipo Tene. Sadly none of her older siblings survived infancy.

Rangi was educated at the Whakarewarewa Native School and Hukarere Native Girls' School in Napier, where she was head prefect.

Postcard featuring studio portrait of Guide Rangi holding a carved patu. Photographer unknown.
Rotorua Museum Te Whare Taonga o Te Arawa (2010.9.9).

She decided on a teaching career and took a probationary assistant position at Whakarewarewa Native School before taking a teaching position at Torere Native School in the eastern Bay of Plenty in 1914. She later moved to Ruatoki Native School in the Ureweras. Unfortunately she developed a throat condition and returned to Rotorua to recuperate.

Rangi later took a position as a trainee nurse at Napier Hospital, but her health deteriorated and she returned home again.

In December 1921 Guide Susan asked her to assist with a party of tourists - Rangi had found her calling.

Rangi's guiding career would span over 40 years. She would escort many famous people, such as former United States first lady Eleanor Roosevelt and Queen Elizabeth II during her 1953-54 royal tour.

Guide Rangi with Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip, 1954. Photographer unknown, Rotorua.
Museum Te Whare Taonga o Te Arawa (CP-1181).

Rangi married William Francis Te Aonui Dennan, son of Maggie Papakura, in 1938. Her husband passed away in 1942.

Rangi was a foundation member of Te Ropu o te Ora Women's Health League, and become a Serving Sister of the Order of St John in 1949, as recognition for her work during the war years as Divisional Superintendent of the St. John Ambulance in Rotorua.

She received an M.B.E in 1957, for her services as a guide, from the Governor General, Sir Willoughby Norrie, who had also been guided around Whakarewarewa by Rangi. In 1965 she retired from guiding. She published her autobiography three years later with Daily Post feature writer Ross Annabell.

Following her retirement she lived quietly in Whakarewarewa until her passing on 13 August 1970. She was buried in the Whakarewarewa cemetery.

Guide Rangi, photograph by Doug Therkleson, circa 1965.
Rotorua Museum Te Whare Taonga o Te Arawa (Op-2169).

Recommended Reads:

Guide Rangi of Rotorua (Dennan, Rangi & Annabell, Ross, 1968)

920 GUI NZ

Reference copies in Te Arawa Heritage, Heritage and Research Area.
Lending copy in Māori Non-Fiction.

Rangi and Rotorua: an illustrated guide to the thermal region. (Richards, J.H, 1958)

993.423Z RIC

Reference copies in Rotorua Heritage and Te Arawa Heritage, Heritage and Research Area.

Guide Rangi (Boon, Kevin, 1991)

920.72Z DEN | 920 DEN*

Lending copies in Children's Māori Collection* and Māori Non-Fiction

Reference copy in Te Arawa Heritage, Heritage and Research Area.

The hot lakes guides: a short history of guiding in the Rotorua area from pre eruption Te Wairoa to Whakarewarewa until the nineteen eighties (Cresswell, John, 2009).
993.423Z CRE

Lending copies in Māori Non-Fiction

Reference copies in Te Arawa Heritage, Heritage and Research.

This blog post was written by Graeme. Thanks to Rotorua Museum and the Don Stafford Collection.

A touch of the Irish

Rotorua Library will be hosting an exhibition Judging Shaw, on the legacy of Irish writer, George Bernard Shaw.

This exhibition marks the 85th anniversary of the Shaw's visit to New Zealand.

Shaw and guide, Rangi, at a hot springs in Rotorua. Photograph: LSE. Collection of the National Trust.

New Zealand Herald, 22 March 1934. Courtesy of Papers Past

Shaw and his wife visited Rotorua in March 1934 during a month long visit to New Zealand. During their time they visited tourist sites, such as the Rotorua Māori Arts and Craft School, Ohinemutu, Whakarewarewa, Tikitere, Hamurana Springs, and the Six Lakes.

He also attended an evening concert a Guide Rangi's Whakarewarewa home. Shaw attended the private concert on the condition that the first item be entirely in Māori and that he could leave after the first item if he desired. Shaw and his wife stayed until the end and he discussed Māoris' aptitude for music with Rangi afterwards.

Shaw and his wife also made a Sunday afternoon visit to Mount Maunganui with Dr. and Mrs J. D. C. Duncan of Rotorua.

Shaw described Rotorua as "an uncommonly pleasant place, though it smells of brimstone like Hades." He admired the beauty of the region's lakes and scenic attractions, and was particularly impressed with the Church at Ohinemutu, with its interior of Māori carving and weaving.

Judging Shaw exhibition is on 23-29 March 2019.



Shaw is not the only significant visitor from Ireland. Over the years Rotorua has hosted political figures, religious leaders, performers, and sports figures.

Mary Robinson, President of Ireland

The seventh President of Ireland and the first woman to hold this office, Mary Robinson visited Rotorua in 1993.

Mrs Robinson are her husband made a brief visit to Whakarewarewa before travelling onto Wellington.

At Whakerewarewa Robinson greeted Eileen Murphy, who is the great niece of the first President of Ireland, Douglas Hyde (he was Murphy's grandmother's brother). Murphy's husband Detective Sergeant Dennis Murphy introduced them, he at the time was head of the city's crime control unit and was assisting with security during the President's visit.

Rotorua Mayor Grahame Hall greets Irish President Mary Robinson and husband Nicholas. Credit: The Daily Post, Thursday 16 September 1993, p. 3.

Detective Sergeant Dennis Murphy introduces his wife Eileen to the President of the Irish Republic, Mary Robinson. Credit: The Daily Post, Friday 17 September 1993, p. 2.

Irish Rugby Team

The Irish Rugby team visited Rotorua in 1997 as part of a tour. Ireland A played the Bay of Plenty Steamers at the Rotorua International Stadium on Thursday May 29th. The Steamers won 52-39.

An Irish team visited again in 2010 and played New Zealand Māori team on Friday June 18th at the Rotorua International Stadium as part of the New Zealand Māori rugby team's centenary celebrations. About 13,500 people attended the game that saw New Zealand Māori team win 31-28.

Ireland A halfback Andrew Machett. Credit: The Daily Post, Friday 30 May 1997, p. 5

Rotorua resident Eamon O'Donogue supporting his home country of Ireland. Credit: The Daily Post, Saturday 19 June 2010, p. 4.



NZ Maori versus Ireland, June 18 2010, programme. Available for viewing in the Don Stafford Room, Rotorua Library





Compiled with information sourced from The Daily Post and Papers Past.
This post was written by Graeme.

Royal Tours of Rotorua 1930s-1960s

Royal Sightseers drawn to Rotorua. 

H.R.H Duke of Gloucester, Prince Henry 21^st Dec-24^th Dec 1934. Stayed at the Grand Hotel.

HRH visited at the beginning of the Rotorua Carnival. The festivities laid on for his visit included a Provincial Ball at the Ritz Hall, Maori reception at Arawa Park, Civic Reception at the Town Square, Carnival Ball at the Ritz Hall, an Open Air Maori concert at the Town Square, A Maori Concert by Guide Rangi’s party at the Peerless Hall and sightseeing during which he visited Whakarewarewa guided by Guide Rangi & Guide Bella and Mita Taupopoki.

He also went trout fishing at Awahou where he caught 9 “well-conditioned fighting trout”

The Prince attended the ‘Maori Consecration Service at St Faith’s’ Bishop of Aotearoa, Rev. Bennett presiding.

On his final night in Rotorua he and his entourage stayed on the special train laid on for his visit as they were leaving Rotorua at 4:00 am. for Auckland.

Sir George Grey Special Collections,
Auckland Libraries, AWNS-19341226-35-1

Queen Elizabeth II and Duke of Edinburgh,  2 January  1954

On a five day visit to Rotorua, the Queen stayed at Moose Lodge which had been prepared by the owner Noel Cole, for their exclusive use.

Maori reception at Arawa Park the Queen addressed the crowd with a speech thanking them for their loyalty to the Crown.

Excerpt from Te Ao Hou, Summer 1954 pg. 9

“I have long looked forward to this, my first full meeting with the Maori people in their own homeland, for I have heard much of your proud traditions and that deep abiding loyalty which you have so often demonstrated in peace and in war” 

They attended a Civic Reception at Motutara Golf Course, in the Government Gardens, where an estimated crowd of 40,000 waited, this was four times the usual Rotorua population.

The Queen attended the service at St John’s Presbyterian Church on Sunday morning. 

Visiting the Rotorua Aerodrome with Prime Minister Sidney Holland – the Queen talked to the staff at James Aviation Ltd. NZ Herald 

Guide Rangi showed them around Whakarewarewa – The Pohutu Geyser (eventually), the Model Pa was showcased and the Penny Divers waited eagerly for the Royal couple to arrive at the Puarenga Stream. View the video of Guide Rangi and the Queen here

Duke planned to enjoy swimming, boating, water-skiing and fishing while at Moose Lodge.

Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip walking in to a Maori welcoming ceremony, Rotorua.
Ref: WA-34240-F. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. /records/23528614

1956: Duke of Edinburgh came for a brief visit, arriving in the new NAC Heron, Mako Aircraft, then he was driven to Kawerau where he was scheduled to visit the Tasman Pulp and Paper Mill.  

On leaving the Rotorua Aerodrome, the cars drove slowly down Whaka Road, turned down Ti Street, along Wairoa Road. Crowds two deep lined the road. School children cheering and waving as the Duke passed by.

There was slight confusion when the Royal Car arrived at the aerodrome the next day as the Duke had driven himself from Wairakei, the photographers were lined up on the passenger side only to find an empty seat!. 

June 1966: Queen Elizabeth I, Queen Mother flew in to Rotorua Aerodrome on a DC8 the largest aircraft to land at the new airport and thence by car to her official engagement that day at the Sportsdrome for the Official Welcome. She then had lunch at the Grand Hotel before flying on to Hamilton.

Rotorua Photo News, 4th June 1966. This photo appeared on the back cover.

With thanks to the Don Stafford Collection and Papers Past for the above information and DigitalNZ for the images.

Royal Tourists 1870-1920

H.R.H. Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Alfred, our first Rotorua Tourist

1870

14^th to 18^th December 1870, H.R.H Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Alfred along with the NZ Governor was our first documented Royal Visitor.

His itinerary included camping on Pukeroa Hill under guard of Captain Gascoigne and ‘the Native Contingent’ while at Ohinemutu he presented a statue of the Queen.  

On the 24^th April 1883 this same statue was in the newspapers throughout NZ ,  the article printed reads as follows:  “An event affording considerable amusement and consternation occurred ‘here’ (Ohinemutu) on Saturday. The statue of Her Majesty, Queen Victoria lately presented, was being placed in position in Tamatekapua, when a cart arrived with an escort of police, who took possession of the illustrious figure, carrying it off to the lock-up to keep company with the Maori deity Matutonga, whose term of imprisonment has not yet expired. We are at loss to account for the proceeding.”

'Sir George Grey Special Collections, 

Auckland Libraries, 755-Album-17-52'

Photograph courtesy of Kete Rotorua, taken 2018

Photograph on the left "Showing a statue of Queen Victoria, overlooking Lake Rotorua, from Ohinemutu. This bust of Queen Victoria was presented by Prince Alfred, Duke of Edinburgh, to Maori at Ohinemutu when he visited Rotorua in 1870" 

This has been restored and sits in a different position close to Tama te Kapua, currently without the the bust of Queen Victoria which also needs restoration. 

While Prince Alfred was here, he rode to Lake Tarawera, where he stayed with Rev. Spencer at Te Mu Mission Station.  On the way there he stopped at Whakarewarewa, and the next day his party rode to Rotomahana where some of his party swam in Te Tarata (the White Terrace) and visited Otukapuarangi (the Pink Terrace.)  They camped at Rotomahana and visited the Geyser Ngatapu and Mud Springs at Rotokanapu [1] returning to Te Mu for the night and Rev. Spencer conducted Divine Service on the shores of Lake Tarawera that Sunday morning, after which the Prince and his party returned to Ohinemutu staying a further 2 nights before going back to Maketu to re-join his ship. 

[1] More correctly known as Rotokanapanapa 

1880s, New Zealand, by Burton Brothers studio, Alfred Burton.
Te Papa (C.010647)

13^th June to 15^th June 1901 “Prince George and Princess Mary, Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York, visited New Zealand as part of a world tour to pay tribute to the service given by the Empire nations during the Boer War. 

Originally the tour was intended to be undertaken by Albert Edward, Prince of Wales, however the death of Queen Victoria on 22 January 1901 meant that he was now required to plan his own coronation for 1902. Consequently his son, Prince George, was consigned to undertake the voyage instead. The royal couple arrived in Auckland on 11 June…”  

This booklet detailing the progress of the tour was issued as an official souvenir and illustrates their visits to Auckland, Rotorua, Wellington, Lyttelton and Dunedin. This booklet was one of many souvenirs collected by Frank David Thomson, a career public servant and statesman from 1901 to 1934. https://www.flickr.com/photos/archivesnz/

The Royal Visit is documented in all the major newspapers of the day. During their brief stay The Duchess officially opened the new ‘Cornwall Baths’ the ‘Duchess Bath’ named after her. The bath was ornately decorated in the Tuscan Style and fitted with electric light. It was furnished specifically for the Royal Visit with “turquoise silk hangings, softly cushioned chairs and chesterfields, great cheval glasses, dainty fittings, rose shaded lights and velvet carpets” Evening Post, Ladies Column, 22 June 1901.

In addition to this the Royal couple visited Ohinemutu, Tikitere, Whakarewarewa where Guide Sophia personally guided the Duchess who was very appreciative and on the way back to their coach stayed to watch children dive for pennies off the bridge.

From the collection of tourist postcards owned by C. Jeffery, on Kete Rotorua.

1920 The Prince of Wales was at Arawa Park – Maori Reception Camp ; Ohinemutu ; Whakarewarewa where Pohutu refused to play ; Stayed at the Grand Hotel, while there the Prince and Guards exited via the back gate and went across to the Merry-go-round, set up on a vacant section, where the Prince rode a horse and then went back to the hotel with little or no fanfare. Later he bathed in the ‘Duchess Bath’ opened by his mother in 1901.

Edward Prince of Wales visiting Rotorua, New Zealand. Creator unknown :Photographs of visit of Prince of Wales to New Zealand. 

Ref: PAColl-9163-05. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. /records/22319477

The Duke & Duchess of York 3^rd March 1927- Stayed at the Grand Hotel.

Attended a concert put on specially for them in the King’s Theatre, by combined local and visiting tribes, visited Whakarewarewa where they were welcomed by Guide Bella and Mita Taupopoki, Pohutu Geyser played for a full 20 minutes for them (soaped for the purpose), visited the Fairy Spring where the Duchess threw bread to the trout and the Duke knelt down in the mud to see them feed from his hand. The Duke unveiled the new Arawa War Memorial in the Government Gardens.  

Kaumatua in Rotorua during Royal Tour. Ref: 1/2-203405-F.
Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. /records/23232994