Wairangi Jones

Tu Tangata, Issue 31, 1 August 1986, Unnumbered Page

Wairangi Jones

Books and Wairangi Jones have nothing in common. But story telling and Wairangi do. Nearly two years ago, Wairangi gave up his teaching position to become a professional story teller. And that’s not as easy as it sounds. Before going out to shopping malls, primary and secondary schools, festivals, and galas to tell his stories, he had to prepare himself. Holding people’s attention for up to an hour required different aids. Like involving the audience by making them contribute to the story, or using back drops. Consequently, his performances include haka, waiata, audience mime, singing, clapping, whistling and fun. When he was an itinerant teacher of Maori, Wairangi used Maori myths and legends as a vehicle for teaching. And he says that students always reacted positively to his stories. Because of this, Wairangi aims at catering to the interest in taha maori.

Wairangi sees his place in the maori world as “exciting.” He feels he’s making a valuable contribution to the positive promotion of maori as well as providing a link for better race relations. Ironically, or appropriately, Wairangi the Story-teller is the grandson of Pei Te Hurinui and Maika Jones.