Going to Rarotoka is always a treat. At Labour Weekend we set off early hoping to get a fair bit of weeding done. We were keen to deal to some gorse and start the preparations for planting next winter.
We never know from one trip to the next who might share this journey with us, as, in addition to rūnaka members, we have volunteers from all round the country – as well as the occasional request for someone to come visit the island because of their links to the lighthouse.
On this trip we had a request from the son of Irene Wybrow for his mother to re-visit the island, as she had lived there with her father when she was six.
Irene was born on Motupiu (Dog Island) in 1917 and had re-visited the island recently along with several others. Rarotoka was next on her list.
It had been 90 years since Irene had been to Rarotoka. On this trip she joined Cathy Onellion, Sandra Cook, Linda Cook, Elaine Hamilton, Alex Taurima and Alisha Sherriff and we all set off for the island on the Thursday afternoon.
We gathered at Takutai o te Tītī Marae in Ōraka, ready for the five-day trip. After a quick helicopter ride, a welcome and lunch, Irene was soon being chauffeured around the island in the Gator, which enabled her to see the native plantings at the gully, beach and across the island; and to recall the walks she took with her father when she was a child.
During the evenings and on the rainy Sunday Irene shared her memories of life on the island. We learned that Irene was a descendent of Wharetutu Newton and that her father, Henry Harvey, had been the principle lighthouse-keeper on the island in the early 1920s. Irene, aged 6, lived with him on Rarotoka to keep him company while her mother, Mary (née Ashmore), and siblings lived on the mainland at Slope Point, so the children could attend school.
She lived in one of the original houses for lighthouse-keepers built in the 1870s on the very exposed area close to the lighthouse. The houses are no longer there but Irene vividly remembered her kindly neighbours, the Whaitiris and the Camerons.
Mrs Cameron and Mrs Whaitiri took turns looking after her when her father worked late at the lighthouse.
With modern technology, we were able to record Irene’s memories. Alisha Sherriff did a great job interviewing her about her life. When asked what the island was like, Irene said, “It was very, very barren when I was here. When I first saw the photos of it a few years ago, I was just astounded to see all the growth because there wasn’t much at all. And to see all the planting that’s been done, it’s terrific – the work that’s gone into it.”
We did manage to get a fair amount of work done on the island although after a good day on Thursday and a fair day on Friday the next two days were filled with hail showers and lightning storms, which drove us indoors to do some spring cleaning. It was also perfect weather for enjoying a few card games.
On Monday, the weather cleared long enough for us to take Irene up for a visit to the lighthouse.
Irene being interviewed by Alisha Sherriff.
Elaine Hamilton (Stewart Island), Irene Wybrow, Alex Taurima, and Alisha Sherriff at the Rarotoka lighthouse.
Irene and Cathy in the Gator.
Irene Wybrow at Rarotoka lighthouse.