The Eruption of Tarawera (2000) Part 2

Summary

The video script recounts the mystical and tragic events surrounding the Pink and White Terraces of New Zealand. It explores the cultural clash between the local Maori tribes and tourists, as well as the spiritual significance of the land. The narrative delves into a curse, unexplained phenomena, and eerie occurrences like the Phantom canoe, all set against a backdrop of a mysterious illness and volcanic activity. The haunting story blends history, spirituality, and the supernatural, leaving viewers with a sense of intrigue and mystery.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Horangi tribe became one of the richest in the country by providing guides for tourists and offering evening Haka performances.
• 😀 Tourists were charged a fee to photograph or paint the Terraces, and the locals were strict about preserving their cultural heritage by limiting sketches or photos.
• 😀 Charles Blomfield, a painter, gained special access to the Terraces through his grandfather's connections and captured the area in his paintings, providing the most authentic visual representation.
• 😀 Blomfield's daughter, Mary, enjoyed her time in the area, exploring and playing by the hot springs while her father painted.
• 😀 In 1886, a strange illness began to spread among the local Māori population, with many deaths attributed to typhoid and respiratory diseases by Europeans, but viewed as ominous by the Māori.
• 😀 Local Māori chief, Auro Tarifa, clashed with another chief, Tari Canaa, over the commercialization of the Māori culture through tourism, which led to tension and division.
• 😀 Tari Canaa's clash with Tooto, the ancient spiritual leader, escalated when Tari struck Tooto, leading to a curse that foretold Tari's illness and death shortly afterward.
• 😀 On May 30, 1886, Louise, George, and their daughter Fanny arrived at the Aahana Hotel and began their visit to the Pink and White Terraces, accompanied by the knowledgeable guide, Safia.
• 😀 On May 31, the water from Lake Tera mysteriously disappeared, signaling that underground magma activity was beginning to fracture the Earth's crust.
• 😀 The group witnessed the appearance of a phantom canoe, which the Māori believed was an omen predicting the end of the world, an event that took place a few days after.

Q & A

Who were the horangi and what role did they play in the tourism around The Terraces?

The horangi were one of the country's richest tribes. They provided guides for tourists visiting The Terraces and also supplied evening entertainment in the form of Haka performances. They made additional money by charging fees for taking photographs or sketching the terraces.

Why were the locals, particularly the Maoris, protective of The Terraces and the right to take photographs or sketches?

The Maoris were very protective of The Terraces, and they demanded a fee for sketches or photographs. This was because they considered The Terraces sacred, and the locals feared that taking sketches or photographs would lead to the desecration of their cultural heritage. The Maoris even destroyed any unauthorized sketches.

What significance did Charles Blomfield have in the history of The Terraces?

Charles Blomfield was a painter and photographer who became known for capturing the beauty of The Terraces. His paintings provide a clear visual representation of how the terraces once looked. Blomfield was granted special permission to paint the terraces after his grandfather persuaded the Maori chiefs to allow him.

How did Blomfield's daughter contribute to the narrative of the terraces?

Blomfield's daughter, a young girl, was often with him while he painted The Terraces. She amused herself by bathing in the hot springs, making mud pies, and exploring the area, providing a personal and childlike perspective of the environment around The Terraces.

What was the significance of the events that started in May 1886 concerning The Terraces?

In May 1886, strange events began to unfold, including the widening of fractures deep under the mountain and a mysterious sickness spreading among the Maori population. These events led to a sense of unease and were later followed by the eruption of Mount Tarawera, which destroyed The Terraces.

What was the role of Charles Hazard in the community during the sickness outbreak in 1886?

Charles Hazard was the school teacher and local pharmacist. He played a key role in managing the community during the sickness outbreak, but his resources were soon depleted due to the spreading contagion. There were numerous funerals, with around 20 of the 120 Maori people in the area dying.

What role did the spiritual leaders, Tooto and Tari Canaa, play in the events leading up to the eruption?

Tooto was a respected spiritual leader who was believed to have the power of makutu (curse). He was opposed to the tourism efforts promoted by Tari Canaa, a local chief. After a conflict between the two, Tooto placed a curse on Tari Canaa, who subsequently became ill and died. Shortly after his death, Mount Tarawera erupted, which many viewed as a sign of divine retribution.

What was the significance of the phantom canoe sighting on May 31st, 1886?

On May 31st, 1886, a group of tourists, including Louise and George SC, saw a phantom canoe on Lake Tarawera. The canoe was believed to be a supernatural omen by the Maori people. This event was especially eerie, as the appearance of such a canoe was considered a harbinger of doom, which came to pass a few days later when Mount Tarawera erupted.

How did the Maori people interpret the strange events occurring in the lead-up to the eruption?

The Maori people saw the strange events, including the illness and the phantom canoe sighting, as signs that something was wrong. They believed that the deep fractures in the earth and the subsequent natural phenomena, such as the drying of the lake, were connected to the eruption of Mount Tarawera and its destructive force.

What happened on May 30th, 1886, when Louise and George SC visited The Terraces?

On May 30th, 1886, Louise and George SC, along with their daughter Fanny, checked into the Aahana hotel and planned to visit The Terraces. The visit was accompanied by a guide named Safira, who was knowledgeable in Maori history. However, their trip was marked by unusual occurrences, including the disappearance of the water from the lake, signaling the imminent eruption of Mount Tarawera.