III. Maxwell, South Taranaki: What history will be taught here? (pn662)

I went to Teachers' College and shared a flat with Val Maxwell, and I visited Maxwell with him before his marriage.  I can only assume he was the great (or possibly the great-great) grandson of George Maxwell, after whom the small township is named.   

Ironically, Val, a pale, skinny Pākehā was a keen member of the Maori Club and had many Māori friends. I  doubt he knew his ancestor's history. I know I didn't at the time.  Pākehā  families and schools did not teach that sort of history to their children. 

We should start wondering what will be taught at Patea, Kai Iwi and Waverley schools in 2022? And what will be the reactions of the children's Pākehā and Māori parents in these —and the many other— "sensitive" locations?  And whether this will be good for race relations?  

Sensitive locations will require very sensitive teaching.

To Māori, the area had been known as Pakaraka ("the pā where the karaka trees grew").  Maxwell was first settled by Europeans in the mid-1800s.  It is named after Sergeant George Maxwell, whose actions in this location during Tītokowaru's War were described by Colonel George Stoddart Whitmore as follows:

"I wish particularly to mention the extreme gallantry of Sergt G. Maxwell of the Kai Iwi Cavalry, who himself sabred two and shot one of the enemy."  

He omitted to mention that the party that was attacked was made up of children aged between six and twelve who were out pig hunting!

Two years ago the local iwi Ngā Rauru partnered with Whanganui District Council to have the name of Maxwell changed but so far they have not been successful.

Changing the name is probably a good idea, but that will not change what happened here—only that we will forget it again.

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Wanganui memorial - paheka dead