ISSN 0114-2097
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Ko “Te Putatara” ko au, Ross Nepia Himona, not to be confused with my cousin’s son Ross Henry Himona. I started writing the original “Te Putatara” newsletter in 1988. Over time “Te Putatara” came to be my nom de plume as well.
“Te Putatara” was a print newsletter from 1988 to 1990, and then became an online newsletter from 1996 to 2000. It has now morphed into a Blog. Essays are posted occasionally, when my other writing projects allow. Like having two books long overdue.
Ko Ngai Te Whatuiapiti, ko Ngati Rangiwhakaewa, ko Ngati Hinewaka nga hapu matua. Ko Kahuranaki te maunga. ko Poukawa te waiu, ko Kahuranaki te marae.
I was for twenty years from 1962 onwards a commissioned officer in the NZ Army, a veteran of the Borneo and Vietnam campaigns. Following that I spent over thirty years working in community and Maori development, paid and unpaid. In case you might be inclined to think otherwise I assure you that I’m actually a pillar of society, scion of the Establishment even. True, e hoa ma, true that.
I have no political allegiances whatsoever. I have never belonged to a political party, have never supported a political party, and never will. I’m progressive or liberal on some issues and conservative on others. I’ve found it impossible to park my brain at the door to any political party room, and in walking through the door to subscribe to a narrow ideological view of the world. I find the process of voting a bit of a challenge.
E hika ma, we’ve offended the politicians already!
This stance allows “Te Putatara” to shine a light on people and their politics right across the political spectrum, to point the finger without fear or favour. The elites in society, both Maori and Pakeha, will come in for special examination as has been the case since the first edition in 1988.