'A plain look at historical research', Bay of Plenty Times, June 27, 1992

At last someone has produced a book on research which is not full of long-winded academic nonsense, but instead has been written in an easy narrative style, that can be enjoyed at all levels.

Congratulations to Te Ahukaramu Charles Royal for having the foresight and the conviction to write on such a complex subject.

As an established reputable Maori historian of Ngati Raukawa, Ngati Tamatera and Ngapuhi descent, he brings to this book a wealth of knowledge and expertise.

Te Haurapa is an excellent starting point for ‘those who are just beginning the journey into the world of their ancestors.’

It offers straightforward advice on how to gather historical knowledge, how to use libraries and archives, the value of both oral and documentary sources and lastly it offers a proposal for the retention and maintenance of tribal histories and traditions.

The layout of the book has been made effective by the author's use of special features.
• Topics covered in each of the four chapters are boxed and highlighted at the start of each chapter.
• Photographs are throughout the book with Maori/English scripts below each.
• Whakatauaki (Proverbial Sayings) have been used, giving the text deeper meaning.
• Lists of institutional repositories and funding resources that are available to the researcher.

The book concludes with a very comprehensive glossary, bibliography and notes section.

Although it has been written primarily for Maori researchers, I thoroughly recommend this book as top reading to those who have a keen interest in research, tribal histories and Maori traditions.

A well-known Whakatauahi (proverb) best describes the author's thoughts: Toi tu te kupu When the word is established Toi tu te mana the mana is established Toi tu tu whenua and the land is secured. Ka nui te mihi ki a koe, te kai tuhi. Ko Te Ahukaramu Charles Royal Na.

'Maori family history essential in research', The Daily Post, August 5, 1992

Sub-titled An Introduction to Researching Tribal Histories and Traditions, Te Haurapa comes from the Maori word meaning "to search diligently for", hence "research."

Royal makes clear in this introduction that all sources have their imperfections. He stresses too that while most historians in the past have written of the Maori as though there was "some kind of national norm of Maori history and tradition," there is no such entity as Maori history, only tribal history, which perforce embraces family history, the essential starting point.

The journey back into the world of ancestors is seen as a spiritual act necessary for successfully facing the future. It is a journey back to Io-matua-kore: Io the parentless one, who begat Ranginui and Papatuanuku who begat Tane Mahuta, the parent of all humanity.

Empowering

The growth in awareness of one's tribal knowledge is seen as a link with divine origins, acting as an empowering agent.

Royal has the advantage of a background embracing English, Scottish, Ngati Raukawa, Ngati Tamatera and Nga Puhi ancestors, and as a historian, so has a clearer view of the differences between Western and Maori tribal research methods, so that there are surprises here perhaps for the Pakeha researcher.

Royal stresses that Maori tribal and family life is rooted in mana. In addition, "whenever you research history and genealogies, it is a good practice to pray for a clear mind, a peaceful spirit and a comfortable position for the body." Since traditionally spirituality was linked to all activities, research should be preceded by the appropriate karakia.

While the point is made that information belongs to the family and tribe, a warning is also issued that some information unearthed may need approval by elders or other knowledgeable people, so that a Maori researcher needs to tread more carefully than his Western counterpart.

Urged

The researcher is urged to discover "how to deal with certain pieces of historical information, the sensitivities to observe, which material should be talked about and which should be kept in the home environment of restricted access."

"The time has come," according to Royal, "for the tribes to take control of the publication of tribal histories and traditions." The opposition experienced by Michael King in some of his research into matters Maori is here formally rationalised, with the claim that authority properly belongs to the people.

Pakeha researchers such as Elsdon Best have been fed, for whatever reason, inaccurate information. In view of this, the false accounts sometimes offered in Maori Land Court hearings, and the accretions that inevitably accumulate, there is a danger in over-reliance on oral history, a danger which Royal does not sufficiently indicate.

Nonetheless, meticulously provided notes, glossary and bibliography... and with sound advice on recording techniques and equipment, together with a list of funding sources and institutional repositiories holding archival resources helpful for Maori research, Te Haurapa offers valuable guidance to Maori reserachers and food for thought for non-Maori historians.