Tupaia and Cook
Our President Mike said,
“What could have been a ‘dry’ subject was delivered by June in an interesting and informative manner and I have no doubt that our members’ knowledge and understanding of Tupaia has increased dramatically!”
June is particularly interested in the history of New Zealand and is concerned that the way it is often portrayed does not give recognition to those who deserve it. Thus, a biased or even untrue history is perpetuated about our country.
Tupaia, as navigator, translator and peace broker for Captain Cook enabled not only the circumnavigation of New Zealand by Cook on the bark HMS Endeavour, it also allowed Cook to pave the way for British colonisation. June’s presentation set out to inform who Tupaia was, what he achieved and why he should be an integral part of our recorded history and not a forgotten man.
After learning of Tupaia’s early life, his role as a high priest on Tahiti and his contribution to the success that Cook had as the first European to map New Zealand, June left us with the thought, “Without Tupaia, would we be in New Zealand now?”