Extended version: Te Pakanga o Whau performs at the opening ceremony of Kelston

1959
  • Deaf Education
  • Storytelling/Performances
The opening of Kelston on a site in Archibald Road featured the infamous ‘Te Pakanga o Whau’ (The Battle of Whau) in 1959 where 86 deaf students acted in an outside play featuring a Māori-Pakeha battle near a big gum tree field.
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  • Extended version: Te Pakanga o Whau performs at the opening ceremony of Kelston

The opening of Kelston on a site in Archibald Road featured the infamous ‘Te Pakanga o Whau’ (The Battle of Whau) in 1959 where 86 deaf students acted in an outside play featuring a Māori-Pakeha battle near a big gum tree field. All scripting, action and costume production for the performance on 7 November 1959 was contributed by staff and pupils of the school, achieving an impressive scale of production. All roles were performed by Deaf pupils.

Reference number:
SH29-16-EDU59