This TVNZ doco chronicles New Zealand’s participation in 18 Empire and Commonwealth Games — beginning at Hamilton, Canada in 1930 when a Kiwi team of 18 participated in four sports. A cavalcade of gold medallists (including Yvette Williams, Dick Tayler, Anna Simcic and Neroli Fairhall) recall their glory days at the event which was set up to be “merrier and less stern” than The Olympics. Special emphasis is placed on the three New Zealand-hosted Games: at Auckland in 1950 and 1990, and Christchurch in 1974 (which hastened the local arrival of colour television).
The city centre and Tuahiwi Marae, the home of Ngāi Tūāhuriri, are now linked by names. The Anglican cathedral and Tuahiwi’s church, both called St Stephens, sit on land called Whitireia. Whitireia was the house of Paekia, the ancestor who landed on the North Island on the back of a whale at Tūranga, which is now the name of Christchurch’s city library.
Puari is a longstanding fishing area for Ngāi Tūāhuriri. It was claimed by chief Pita Te Hori for the hapū in 1868 but denied by the Crown, because the land had been allocated to settlers. This site is now owned by Ngāi Tahu and a building named after Te Hori stands here.
This is where Tuahiwi people fished, eeled and gathered other kaimoana until the waterways were blocked and the land confiscated for public works in 1956. Getting land back in Christchurch was a key part of the Treaty claim lodged in 1986.
Video of Jan's earthquake story, captured by the UC QuakeBox project.
Video of Henare's earthquake story, captured by the UC QuakeBox project.
Video of Beryl's earthquake story, captured by the UC QuakeBox project.
Video of Lorraine's earthquake story, captured by the UC QuakeBox project.
Video of Nelson's earthquake story, captured by the UC QuakeBox project.
Video of Kathryn's earthquake story, captured by the UC QuakeBox project.
Video of Deb's earthquake story, captured by the UC QuakeBox project.
Video of Bernie's earthquake story, captured by the UC QuakeBox project.
Video of Julie's earthquake story, captured by the UC QuakeBox project.
Video of Mike's earthquake story, captured by the UC QuakeBox project.
Video of Paddy's earthquake story, captured by the UC QuakeBox project.
Video of Lorraine's earthquake story, captured by the UC QuakeBox project.
Video of Garth's earthquake story, captured by the UC QuakeBox project.
Video of Brenda's earthquake story, captured by the UC QuakeBox project.
Video of Michelle's earthquake story, captured by the UC QuakeBox project.
Video of Catherine's earthquake story, captured by the UC QuakeBox project.
Video of Chris's earthquake story, captured by the UC QuakeBox project.
Video of Dom's earthquake story, captured by the UC QuakeBox project.
Video of Jan's earthquake story, captured by the UC QuakeBox project.
Video of Karen's earthquake story, captured by the UC QuakeBox project.
Video of Melissa's earthquake story, captured by the UC QuakeBox project.
Video of Jo's earthquake story, captured by the UC QuakeBox project.
Video of Stephen Symons's earthquake story, captured by the UC QuakeBox project.
Video of Graham Harris's earthquake story, captured by the UC QuakeBox project.
Video of Kay Flaus's earthquake story, captured by the UC QuakeBox project.
Video of Bob Flaus's earthquake story, captured by the UC QuakeBox project.
