Henare James Clendon Tau 1918 1932

edmondsallan - hello - In my years of research , I have heard , many times of how the paramount maori tribes , selected a young maori male, of high descendantcy, tested his abilities in intellegence , memory , etc, to carry the responsibility of all his tribe's ancestral knowledge , " whakapapa & Tikitanga "
This person chosen would always have a high powerful position in his tribe . This journal is on such a person . He is related to our
extended family by ancestry & marriage .
" James Clendon Tau Henare " was selected to carry on with the knowlege already mentioned .Marked from childhood for special guidance by his elders, Henare was told that, as well as receiving a Pakeha education, he had to be trained in Maori whakapapa and Tikanga, in order to fully serve his people in later life. At the age of 14 he was a graduate of the last Ngati Hine whare wananga, at Taumarere, where he was instructed in the sacred elements of Maori life under tohunga Hare Whiro.
The influence of northern and national Maori leaders was strong in the young Henare’s life. Nicknamed ‘The Bishop’ because of his grave manner, he was closely associated with Peter Buck (Te Rangi Hiroa), a former Northern Maori MP and Department of Health medical officer familiar with the Henare home at Motatau. Occasionally journeying to Wellington with his father, James also spent time at the homes of Maori MPs Sir James Carroll and Sir Maui Pomare.
Henare won a scholarship to Te Aute College in Hawke’s Bay, but because of his father’s friendship with the Catholic Bishop H. W. Cleary, he was sent to Sacred Heart College in Auckland. After finishing his high school education, he enrolled at Massey Agricultural College, at his father’s urging, to study for a diploma of dairy technology. Illness prevented completion of his study, and he was employed by the Hikurangi dairy co-operative company in Northland. In the 1930s Henare worked as a bushman, farm labourer and as secretary for his father, accompanying him in his official duties. When a Maori land development scheme was initiated in Ngati Hine territory, he became its foreman. Land use was a particular interest to both James and his father, who travelled extensively throughout the North Island inspecting development schemes. James was himself engaged in breaking in farmland at Motatau.
Much has been written about this person and his capabilities & the power he had among the Ngapuhi . He is in many of our older history books and other journals held in Libraries through out NZ.
Till we meet again -Regards -edmondsallan