Auckland Deaf Society

Te Pakanga O Whau – The Battle of Whau: Drama by Kelston School for the Deaf

1959 •
DEAF EDUCATION STORYTELLING / PERFORMANCE
The Battle of Whau: a drama by Kelston Deaf students for the opening ceremony of Kelston School for the Deaf, 7th November 1959.
Image for Te Pakanga O Whau – The Battle of Whau: Drama by Kelston School for the Deaf

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.

  1. Aileen Penney

  2. Alison Gordon

  3. Audrey Simon

  4. Beverly Cross

  5. Billy Paraone

  6. Brenda Hart

  7. Brian Rameka

  8. Carol Liddle

  9. Cissie Mahaki

  10. Colleen Carey

  11. Daphne Te Whata

  12. Diane Craill

  13. Donald Banks

  14. Elaine Thompson

  15. Eric Pugh

  16. Erica Hadley

  17. Gary Howard

  18. Graeme Forrest

  19. Graham Sargent

  20. Hazel Te Rangi

  21. Helen Brown

  22. Heretama Masters

  23. Hilda Hiestand

  24. Ivan Tamepo

  25. Jacek Nowicki

  26. James McLean

  27. Janet Wilson

  28. Jennifer Martin

  29. Jim McDermott

  30. Jimmy Taaka

  31. Joan Kete

  32. John Eyre

  33. Kathryn Mills

  34. Kay Hunia

  35. Kerry Gerratty

  36. Laurance Bennett

  37. Lewis Te Huia

  38. Lois Nelson

  39. Madith McCabe

  40. Margaret Greenhalgh

  41. Mihi Walters

  42. Noel Coventry

  43. Noel Fraser

  44. Pao Paul

  45. Pat Oxspring

  46. Patricia Shearer

  47. Peter Downie

  48. Peter Oxspring

  49. Peter Thompson

  50. Phillip Weston

  51. Polly Kahui

  52. Polly Taumaunu

  53. Raewyn Jessen

  54. Rangi Watena

  55. Raymond O’Neill

  56. Rita Pene

  57. Roger Sheffield

  58. Ronny Wiringi

  59. Sam Puhi

  60. Terry Bailey

  61. Terry Siviter

  62. Valarie Latham

  63. Walter Heke

Relevant Links

Ko Taku Reo – Deaf Education New Zealand
Donated by Auckland Deaf Society
Original format 3" 8mm
Reference number ADS50-01-SP59
Sponsored by Northland Parents of Deaf Children
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