Symposium with a Difference

New Zealand Historic Places Trust information release
16 April 2004

Vive la difference - and what a difference!

Delegates to the Symposium 'The French Place in the Bay of Islands' held in Russell recently came away with a very different take on New Zealand's early history - specifically the part of the French.

"The symposium was a lot of serious fun," says Kate Martin, the manager of the Historic Places Trust property Pompallier, who coordinated the event.

"I'm still processing the information that was shared as, I'm sure, are the many delegates. It was an extraordinary event with people from many different backgrounds - Maori, Pakeha, French, and of differing denominations - coming together and sharing their histories. The sum of the parts was much greater than the whole."

The symposium began with a pohiri hosted by kaumatua and kuia from the Kororareka Marae Soceity in the garden at Pompallier Mission, and students from Te Kura Taumata o Panguru who came over to attend one of the sessions were also formally welcomed the following day.

The Historic Places Trust Chair, Dame Anne Salmond, kicked off the business end of the symposium with a presentation on French explorer Marion du Fresne, who met with a sticky end after becoming drawn into inter-tribal conflict during his visit to the Bay of Islands in 1772.

NZHPT Chair, Dame Anne Salmond (centre, seated) with kaumatua, VIPs and other speakers as the R Tucker Thompson sets sail. Image: Pompallier Symposium 4 April 2004 (NZHPT)

Other presenters included well known historian James Belich - who led a discussion on teaching history with teachers and secondary school students, Manuka Henare who talked about Maori traditions, literacy and Christianity, and Dominique Varry from Lyons in France who talked about the French printing industry in the 19th century - at the same time Marist missionaries from Lyons were printing religious publications in Maori at Pompallier Mission.

"Besides the range of superb speakers, delegates were also able to get a sense of history of the place by sailing on the R. Tucker Thompson (pictured above, at right), pretty much identical to Bishop Pompallier's 1840s schooner, the Sancta Maria (also pictured above), and literally follow in his wake towards Waitangi," says Kate.

"There was something really special about holding the symposium here, right where it all happened."

Although a great success, the symposium was marred with some sadness however.

"We had received news about the death of Michael King and his wife Maria Jungowska just a few days before the symposium was to begin. Michael and Maria were due to attend, so their absence was felt very keenly. In the end we decided to dedicate the symposium to Michael and Maria, as well as to Mere Tana who was instrumental in working to bring Bishop Pompallier's remains back to New Zealand two years ago."

Despite the sadness, the symposium was characterized by the sharing of stories - and a good amount of laughter.

"Delegates had a great time. And it was wonderful to hear the different languages spoken - Maori, English and of course French!"

For more information:

Contact: Kate Martin, Property Manager
Tel: 09 403 9015

R Tucker Thompson

Sancta Maria