‘Pacific Pioneer’

Mana (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 14, 9 February 1978, Page 5

‘Pacific Pioneer’

Nearly 26 years ago, Turia Turia became the first Pacific Islander to settle in Tokoroa and work at NZFP’s Kinleith mills.

He had been in New Zealand only two years when, prompted by a desire to see more of the country, and to improve his English, he moved to the then small mill town of Tokoroa.

“Most of the boys on Aitutaki, my home island, had to leave school at 14 and work in the plantations,’’ he said, “ but my family decided to give me my chance in life

and sent me to this country. “1 took the opportunity of. coming to Tokoroa as soon' as it was offered. I knew it would mean being separated from my own people, but I also knew it would force me to learn English very quickly. That was mainly what I wanted. As it turned out, I certainly didn’t have time to feel lonely or

homesick.’’ When he arrived, the Kinleith mill site consisted of little more than a gangsaw mill, sorting table and tally office. Apart from his first day at work, which he remembers spending in the yard stacking timber from Maraetai mill, he has been on the sorting table continuously, the last seven years as foreman.

There were only nine people working on the table in Junior’s early days and that number has now climbed to 54.

“Production is much greater than it was 20 years ago,’’ he said, “and the timber grader’s job is also more complex. In the old days, a piece of 4 x 2 had three grades — first, second and

box. Today that same piece of timber has anything up to 10.” He speaks with affection of the multi-national crew that is now operating the sorting tables: “I think we have a bit of everything out there — Cook Island, Fijian, Tongan. They all work very well together and it doesn’t take them long to recognise the ‘hot-heads’ with little sense of humour.’’ Well known in the Tokoroa community for his work in the church, Junior is particularly proud of the present Pacific Island Church building. “We opened the first Island church in New Zealand in 1958, and with the increasing population over the next few years, we started to raise money for the present building. It eventually cost $147,000 and was paid for on its opening day in 1972,’’ he said. Turia Junior recently became the first Cook Islander tojoin NZFP’s 25-year Club.