Raniera Brennan was the second son of Aidan and Marama Brennan.
He was born in 1890 in Rawene.
Raniera worked as a labourer and farm worker on his mother's tribal lands.
He had forward thinking ideas on how to develop and improve the profitability of this land.
World War 1 started in 1914.
There was no conscription for NZ Maori until 1917
but Raniera was keen to enlist.
He joined a provincial contingent,
which had a target of 150 recruits every 4 weeks.
His contingent sailed for Egypt and then for Gallipoli,
where Raniera and thousands of other young men died.
Raniera met Margaret Hughes at the local country school
where they were both pupils.
Margaret's father taught at the school.
Maori was forbidden to be spoken at the school,
although it was still spoken at home.
Margaret and Raniera married in 1910.
They had 2 children:
Rawiri b. 1911
Susan b. 1913.
He was born in 1890 in Rawene.
Raniera worked as a labourer and farm worker on his mother's tribal lands.
He had forward thinking ideas on how to develop and improve the profitability of this land.
World War 1 started in 1914.
There was no conscription for NZ Maori until 1917
but Raniera was keen to enlist.
He joined a provincial contingent,
which had a target of 150 recruits every 4 weeks.
His contingent sailed for Egypt and then for Gallipoli,
where Raniera and thousands of other young men died.
Raniera met Margaret Hughes at the local country school
where they were both pupils.
Margaret's father taught at the school.
Maori was forbidden to be spoken at the school,
although it was still spoken at home.
Margaret and Raniera married in 1910.
They had 2 children:
Rawiri b. 1911
Susan b. 1913.
For reflection ...
Raniera and his younger siblings were discouraged from speaking Te Reo Maori at school.
What right do we have to forbid someone to speak in their first language?
How integral in language to preserving one's culture?
Raniera and his younger siblings were discouraged from speaking Te Reo Maori at school.
What right do we have to forbid someone to speak in their first language?
How integral in language to preserving one's culture?