Robert Percival Emery (1908 - 1994)

Born 11 Feb 1908 in Te Awamutu, Waikato, New Zealand

Husband of Jane Hinerangirua Waitete (Ormsby) Emery — married 1928 in New Zealand

Died 1994 at about age 85 in New Zealand

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Biography

Robert Percival Emery was born in 1908 in Ngahape, Te Awamutu, Waikato, New Zealand. His parents were Waho Emery and Te Ahurewa Hekiera Te Rangai and was the fourth of sixteen children.

Robert married Jane Hinerangirua Waitete Ormsby in 1928 in New Zealand. and they had 5 children. He was a Methodist Minister and Ngati Maniapoto and was awarded an MBE for services to the community in 1991 ^[1].

There is an interview at Te Kuiti with Rev Robert Emery in 1992 shows on the National Library of New Zealand as below ^[2].

Rev Robert Percival Emery gives details of his whakapapa, immediate family, childhood, time spent in Rangiatea and its history, school days at Maungarongo School and Otewa Primary School, trauma of living through the Depression, his first experiences in Marae protocol, his experiences in the 16th Waikato Regiment during World War II, his time in Fiji during the war and the history of the area.

Gives details of the history of the Te Kuiti area, Te Kooti and the Kingitanga movement including; details the history of Otewa Pa and describes the whare there, warfare at Orakau Pa, tactics used by Maori and Pakeha during war, the history, gatherings and his experiences at Manga Wheo Marae, the iwi and school at Tahaia. Talks about Potatau Te Wherowhero opening Te Hokinga Tuatahi and explains the name. Talks about Te Kooti, his time in the area and being given land for a village for his people. Discusses how Te Kooti gave a name to a whare, `Te Toka Nga Nui a Mutu'. Explains the name and how people from Hauraki came down to the village. Explains the meaning of Nehenehinui. Refers to Potatau going to see Te Heu Heu in Taupo and being nominated King. Discuss the beginning of Kingitanga; influences of missionaries, religion and Christianity; the split between Maniapoto and his brother Te Ihinga Rangi, Te Ihinga Rangi going his own way and finding new lands, Tawhiao returning to Nehenehenui after the battle at Orakau Pa. Several questions asked by Diggeress Te Kanawa about Tawhiao and whakapapa.

He passed away in 1994 ^[3].

Sources

1. ↑ http://www.nzlii.org/nz/other/nz_gazette/1991/98.pdf
2. ↑ https://natlib.govt.nz/records/35831229?search%5Bi%5D%5Bname_authority_id%5D=-133985&search%5Bpath%5D=items
3. ↑ "Births, Deaths & Marriages Online", [digital index], New Zealand Department of Internal Affairs (www.bdmhistoricalrecords.dia.govt.nz), Death Registration of Robert Percival Emery, aged at death 70Y, Date of death 1994; citing Death Certificate 1994/31029

Research Notes

Waho Emery 1882-1940 1940/29857, aged 56 years married in 1902 in NZ Te Ahurewa Hekiera Te Rangai 1886-1953 1953/34924, 67 years