A model for those who choose his craft.

Tu Tangata, Issue 33, 1 December 1986, Page 43

A model for those who choose his craft.

by Whai Ngata

Harry Dansey

7 am Koroheke. As an elder, mine’s the task to set the scene of this examination of our people’s past that we may see how this extends into the present, how the deeds of those long since departed on the spirit path reach back to us to warn and teach and guide us in our day and age.”

In the opening words of his play, “Te Raukura”, Harry Dansey almost set the pattern he followed during his long, illustrious career as a journalist, author, playwright, artist, broadcaster and song writer. Harry Dansey was born in Auckland in 1920, of English and Maori ancestry. On his Maori side he was a member of the Ngati Tuwharetoa and Arawa tribes of Taupo and Rotorua respectively.

He was educated in Auckland and Rotorua and as a schoolboy submitted his first articles for publication in newspapers. He served with the Maori Battalion in World War II where his love of writing was put to good use in the collection of material for the War Diaries. After the War he entered journalism with the intensity of another of his “Te Raukura” characters, Tamatane.

“I am Tamatane; youth, they call me. Mine the role to query, question, break if need be, build anew the world. I listen for a space at least to Koroheke until complacency and cant shall goad me in disgust to toss aside the cloak of courtesy I wear with such unease.”

Whai Ngata, a friend and work mate of the late Harry Dansey, pays a tribute to the man who pointed the way for the new generation of Maori journalists.

Harry Dansey was a doyen among journalists, respected by newspaper editors and a friendly shoulder for young reporters to lean on when the spring of ideas dried up.

He wrote about visiting dignitaries, vice regal garden parties, he chased criminals around the country, he covered coronations, court cases and the hundreds of other sources of news stories. His first love, the stories that made those big eyes of his twinkle, were stories of Maori battles, how places got their Maori names, Maori customs and how they were translated into modern day usage. He loved stories about the Maori. He loved the Arawa. He admired and respected the Taranaki people, relatives of his wife Te Rina.

“My elders, whether or not I wrote well that which you wished me to write I know not and now you cannot tell me. Chieftains of Taranaki, you honoured me, an Arawa, by taking me to your hearts and to your holy places and in return I trust I have have done nothing but honour to those who bore you.”

Harry Dansey was a busy man. After leaving the Auckland Star he became a city councillor and Race Relations conciliator. He was a prolific writer. He was an accomplished artist. He enjoyed being a talkback host on radio. Harry Dansey wrote poetry and waiata. He enjoyed the fellowship of people. I commend Harry Dansey as a model to all those who choose his craft. In the words of the military sentry: “Pass on friend. All’s well.” No reira e te rangatira takoto mai korua ko to hoa i te uma o Plapatuanuku. E noho pani atu nei ki muri.