WAKA

I have been looking at my background in the last 5 years while in New Zealand and I have tried to make links here for my own children. One of the pieces that I have been encouraged to do at RGHS is to write my Pepeha. Its not as simple as that when you have to start from scratch. Do I talk about my past place do I talk about my present place. Everyone laughs if I talk about my waka as being Air New Zealand.

I have looked and looked. William Purcell, used to transport sheep to Auckland from Australia on a waka called "The Bee". He was my great, great, great grandfather. My four great grandfather was also William Purcell and he was involved in a famous mutiny on The Bounty. This is my waka as well. Its a link to my ancestors. The other link I have is that my grandfather played Rugby and did a tour of New Zealand in 1928. He played three tests against the All Blacks. Some in Sydney. He used to mow the lawn in an All Black's jersey.