Chapter 21.2 

Reginald Tuhinga Elers 

Footprints on The Earth, A Journey Through Time

Reginald Tuhinga Elers & 

Janet Marie Elers (nee Marshall)

Rere arorangi nei tēnei kākā kura ki te ikeike o Rangitūmau maunga.
Tau atu ai ki te kei o Takitimu waka,
i hoea ai ngā wai kānapanapa o Wairarapa Moana
ki te ipukarea o Ruamahanga Awa.
Kia noho whakaruruhau ki te marae taurikura o Te Ore Ore a te kata a Hinemataki,
i raro i te maru o Ngā Tau e Waru whare tūpuna.
E kākahu ana i ngā raukura o Ngāti Hāmua hapu.
He uri tēnei nō te ahorua o Wairarapa,
arā ko Rangitāne, ko Ngati Kahungunu ki Wairarapa

This Kākā with red plumage (Leader) soars high above the peaks of Rangitūmau mountain, travelling onward to the stern of the Takitimu canoe, paddling through the glistening waters of Lake Wairarapa, guided by the currents to the ancestral Ruamahanga River. Rest now in the sacred courtyard of Te Ore Ore, where the laughter of Hinemataki echoes. Beneath the shelter of the Ngā Tau e Waru meeting house, the ancient dwelling of our ancestors. Clad in the feathers of the Ngāti Hāmua sub-tribe, this is a descendant from the two ancestral tribes of Wairarapa, of Rangitāne and Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa.

Reginald Tuhinga Elers

January 15 1933 - 29 April 2007

Janet Marie Elers (nee Marshall)

June 11 1940 - 05 June 2008

Ō Reginald Tuhinga Elers Uri Whakaheke

The descendants of Reginald Tuhinga Elers

Tō Reginald Tuhinga Elers Pūhoutanga 

The childhood of Reginald Tuhinga Elers

1933 -2007

He taura harakeke, ka kukumea, a tona wā, ka whati.
He taura whakapapa, ka kukumea ahakoa ka pēhea te roa, e kore rawa e ngāmotu.

A chord made of flax, when stretched, will eventually break.
But a chord made of whakapapa, no matter how far it is stretched, will never be severed.

Growing up in a large family had its challenges, but overall, Reg considered those times to be good ones. Despite the many mouths to feed, there was always enough, and everyone was cared for. The family had a strong sense of responsibility to one another, and even up until his passing, Reg remained close to his living brothers and sisters.

Reg didn't recall any special remedies being used for ailments in the family, nor did he remember any of his siblings suffering from serious illness or breaking bones. It was a simpler time, where the focus was on looking after each other and getting by together.

Reg and his family had to live off the land and work hard to make ends meet. According to Reg, it was tough, and everyone had to pitch in. Once you were given a task, there was no question—you did it. There was no room for backchat.

Despite the hard work, there was always plenty of food. They ate what they grew and lived off the land. They cultivated kumara, potatoes, pumpkins, corn, pūhā, and watercress. There was an abundance of peaches, nectarines, apples, and gooseberries. Reg often reminisced about raiding the local orchards with his siblings when they were kids.

Reg also remembered gathering pāua from relatives on the coast and hanging them in trees to harden. "They were like chewing gum," he’d say. He had a fondness for kānga pirau (fermented corn), although the smell took some getting used to. And in the cow shed, there was always bacon hanging in a flour sack, ready to be sliced whenever it was needed.

Later in life, Reg reflected on the inter-generational changes he had witnessed, from childhood to adulthood, and the shifts he saw in how he lived compared to how his children and grandchildren live nowadays. He said, “These days, we don’t have to work the land. We can just go to the supermarket or the shops for our food.”

Reg often noted how different childhood was for kids growing up in his time. They made their own fun, playing in the paddocks and rivers—eeling, trouting, and rabbiting. In contrast, children in his later years tended to stay inside, glued to computer screens or television, or they would wander the streets and get into mischief.

Another change Reg observed was the shift in the way te reo Māori (the Māori language) was treated. When he was growing up, the older generation spoke Māori among themselves, but never taught it to the younger ones. However, in the early 2000s, Reg noticed that te reo Māori was being taught in schools, and more people—especially children—were eager to learn and embrace the language.

Ō Reginald Tuhinga Elers Kete Mātauranga 

The Schooling and Education of Reginald Tuhinga Elers

1938 - 1954

Whakatangata kia kaha.

Quit ye like men be strong.

Reg attended Te Ore Ore School on the outskirts of Masterton. He often recalled, “It didn't take long to get to school but took a hell of a long time to get home.” Growing up in a family that couldn’t afford shoes, Reg and his siblings went barefoot, even during frosty mornings. To keep warm, they would stand in cow pats—a practice that became a bit of a survival tactic in the cold.

Reg briefly attended St Joseph’s College for one term, where he earned a scholarship to Te Aute College, where he stayed for two years. He was particularly good at Algebra during this time. However, Reg eventually decided that he wasn’t interested in continuing his education there. They attempted to teach him Te Reo Māori, but Reg felt it was too late for him to learn. His grandparents spoke Māori to each other, but never to their grandchildren. As a result, Reg struggled with understanding Māori, especially at tangihanga (funerals), where the language was predominantly used. He often felt shy and out of place in those settings as he couldn't understand the speakers. .

At the age of 15, Reg secured an apprenticeship in plumbing and dedicated himself to the trade for six years. Although he earned a certificate for the practical aspects, he missed out on the theory portion. Reg often reflected that if he had stayed in school a bit longer, he might have been able to pass the theory exams as well.

Ā Reginald Tuhinga Elers Mahi/Mahi Hōia

The Careers & Army Days of Reginald Tuhinga Elers

1948 - 1990s

Ko te piko o te mahuri tera te tupu o te rakau.

The way the sapling is shaped is how the tree grows.

Upon his discharge, Reg returned to Masterton and took up a job with Harry Ewington, working in painting, bricklaying, and plastering.

Not long after, the call for volunteers for the Malaysian Conflict came, and Reg enlisted in the Infantry Corps. He thoroughly enjoyed his time in Malaya, finding it to be a very different experience from Japan and Korea. Much of his time was spent in the dense jungle, where he lost significant weight and became incredibly fit, surviving on hardtack food. Reg spent his days exploring plantations, kampongs (villages), and the wild jungle, enduring the heat but finding the experience rewarding.

While in Malaya, Reg contracted Hepatitis and was sent to the Military Hospital in Taiping. After recovering, he returned to the jungle. On one occasion, Reg was airlifted out for medical attention, including the removal of a goiter in Kuala Lumpur. He recuperated for two weeks before being sent back to camp.

Reg’s military service earned him five medals:

• New Zealand Operational Service Medal

• United Nations Service Medal with Korean clasp

• General Service Medal with Malayan clasp

• Korea United Nations Service Medal 1954-57 with Korean clasp

• Malaya Service Medal

After returning to New Zealand, Reg resumed plumbing until 1963, when he joined the Waingawa Meat Works. He worked there for 25 years, remaining with the company until its closure in the late 1980s.

Though he retired, Reg continued to keep his hand in painting and plumbing. In November 1990, he became a grandfather for the first time when Kaylah-Marie was born. Reg looked after her while Carol, his daughter, went back to work. He also worked as a general hand at Masterton Hospital during this time.

Tō Reginald Tuhinga Elers Whaiāipo, a Janet Elers

Reginald Tuhinga Elers' sweetheart, Janet Elers (nee Marshall)

Moea te tangata ringa raupā.

Seek a partner who is a hard worker.

When Reg returned to New Zealand from Malaya, he met Janet Marie Marshall. After just three months of dating, they were married on June 22, 1961, at the Masterton Registry Office. The only guests were Peter and Joan Marshall, as Reg's family couldn’t attend due to the wedding being held on a Thursday. They celebrated with dinner at the Midland Hotel.

Together, Reg and Janet had two sons, Shane and Dean, and later adopted Carol. Five years after their marriage, they welcomed another son, Corey.

In the 1990s, their first granddaughter, Kaylah-Marie, was born, and Reg was overjoyed. Not only was she the first mokopuna (grandchild), but also the first girl—something that had been especially meaningful to Reg and Janet, as they had not been able to have a daughter of their own.

Reg and Janet are blessed with ten mokopuna and seven mokomoko (great-grandchildren), with two more on the way. Sadly, they only had the chance to meet nine of their mokopuna. Reg took great pride in his grandchildren but was quick to joke, “It’s nice to see them, but it’s nice to send them back home again. I don’t have the patience I used to have.”

Tō Reginald rāua ko Janet oranga whānau

Reginald and Janet's family wellbeing

Ki te kotahi te kākaho, ka whati: ki te kāpuia, e kore e whati.

When we stand alone, we are vulnerable: but together, we are unbreakable.

Tō Reginald rāua ko Janet ōhākī

Reginald and Janet's dying wish  

Taurerehia ēnei wairua, i haoa e te kupenga nui o Taramainuku,

 i hāpaingia e te waka o Rangi ki Rarohenga. Moe mai rā, Moe mai rā, Okioki atu rā e.

May these spirits be mourned, caught in the great net of Taramainuku,

 lifted by the canoe of Rangi, to the depths of Rarohenga. Rest now, rest now, sleep in peace.

In December 2006, Reg’s health had deteriorated, and the ulcers on his legs were not healing; instead, they had become severely infected. In an attempt to help, Reg was encouraged to try Rongoā Māori (Māori Medicine), and a nephew was called to apply a poultice to his legs. Unfortunately, the poultice worsened the condition of the sores. The surgeons had to remove the dead tissue before attempting to cover the wounds with skin grafts from Reg’s back. However, due to his ongoing decline in health, the grafts were unsuccessful.

Faced with the challenges of his deteriorating health and dialysis complications, Reg made the difficult decision to discontinue his dialysis treatment. He knew that continuing would result in the loss of both of his legs. Reg often expressed, "If I can't walk, then I’m no good to anyone. At least in Heaven, I'll be able to do my gardens and walk like I used to."

Reg made the decision to leave Wellington Renal Ward and return home, where he wished to spend his final days in peace. After a prolonged illness, he sadly passed away on April 29, 2007. In keeping with his wishes, Reg was laid to rest in his beloved "man cave" -  his garage - surrounded by his family. His tangihanga took place at Rosewood Funeral Home in Masterton, and he was later cremated and interred at Riverside Cemetery.

Kua hinga te Tōtara o te Waonui a Tāne. Heke ana ngā roimata. Hotu ana te manawa. Ka mōhio au kāore he mamae mōu, Dad. E kore koe e warewaretia e mātou. E ora ana koe ki roto i ō mātou ngākau mō ake tonu

Our mighty tree of Tāne's forest has fallen. The tears fall and the heart yearns. Dad will never be forgotten. You will live in our hearts forever.

The End of an Era

"Kua hinga te Tōtara haemata i Te Waonui a Tāne."

"The lofty Tōtara has fallen in the great forest of Tāne."

The End of an Era

"Ko te whaea te takere o te waka."

"Mothers are the heart of the family and the hull of a canoe."

Ō Te Whānau Elers Hokinga Mahara

The Elers' Whānau Memories

"A significant memory for me was regularly staying at Nan and Grandad's on the weekends. We would all do some form of gardening or eeling with Grandad and bake Cheesecakes and Feijoa Crumble with Nan. Another memory that has really stuck with me was when Grandad got his chainsaw stuck when chopping up the firewood so he called out to Uncle Tom for help, just to get the second chainsaw stuck too."

- Jayden John McLachlan, Dec 2024

"The days of picking peas out Te Ore Ore and getting told off because once Dad paid for the peas, you know you weren't allowed to eat them; and getting strawberries; getting mushrooms for miles out Te Ore Ore; going to set the eel pots and getting eels. 

Another memory was collecting all the beer bottles from around the streets and from the Reiri's, taking them to ABC in Carterton to get money; collecting cans off the road; collecting drink bottles, and taking them to the dairy to get lollies. 

Jayden and Buddy went to set an eel pot/net and there was a hole in it so they went to my mate, Clint's house. Clint sealed up the net and then next day, dad gets up to go get the pot, but I told him, 

"Nah let the boys get it because they set the pot." 

But anyway, Dad went and he said to me, "Oh boy, it's black!"

I replied, "What do you mean it's black?!"

So we had a look and it was chock-full of eels. Dad brought them back home and Buddy and Jayden came out; they put them all over the lawn so they had to catch them; Dad ended up taking some back because there were just too many.

I spent a lot of time with Mum and Dad. I was the last one at home. And then  I came back when dad was sick because I decided, as all my siblings had families, I would come back to look after my dad. This was my mahi for my Dad."

- Corey Elers, Dec 2024

"In the mornings, Grandad would be sitting in his chair in the dining room, the window wide open, his ice-cream container of meds with his little notebook, with the big chopping board buttering our toast. Any fast cars zooming past, Grandad would snarl and say "Crash you bastard!""

- Paige Nuku, Dec 2024

"I loved taking the train to Nan and Grandad’s, with Grandad always there to pick us up at the station. Grandad loved a good laugh, so when we gave him a pedicure in his later years, we’d sneak into his tool shed to grab the pliers as a joke to tackle his toenails—he’d always crack up laughing and call us cheeky buggers. Cheers to you, Grandad!"

- Buddy  Nuku, Dec 2024

"We used to always go on adventures to see a man about a dog. A dog was never brought home. We would always swim in the pool out the back, running in circles when we got in so Grandad could clean the pool. In the summertime, Grandad would always have the fire blasting, to heat the water and save power. Whenever we'd say goodbye, I vividly remember his prickly stubble when he kissed us and his strong scent of Old Spice and Brut."

- Kaylah-Marie Kipa, Dec 2024

"I remember when he told me that he had got a traditional tattoo done by the Iban tribesman. He was drunk at the time and the tattoo was extremely painful. He swore he would never do that again."

- Aaron Nuku, Dec 2024

"Dad loved his brothers, sisters and mokopuna. My memories of Dad are sitting in the garage with his radio on, stewing his fruit and singing away to Prince Tui Teka. It was only right that Dad's final resting place was his garage. One lasting memory is that he used to stand at the end of the driveway to wave goodbye as he watched us drive away."

- Carol Elers-Nuku, Dec 2024

"I have two main memories. First was, wherever Dad went, I had to go with him. Whether it was to his mates; doing odd jobs for people; mowing nannies' lawns, I had to go. If we were on school holidays, I would be shipped off to the beach with Uncle Jock. 

And the other memory was, using the letterbox key to open and drive the Austin Maxi at night, while they were asleep. I had to disconnect the Speedo so Dad didn’t know. But after three years, I got caught out but it was a lot of fun."

- Dean Elers, Dec 2024

"I remember Grandad wearing his compression socks all the time with his toes sticking out. I remember being lifted up by Grandad to pick feijoas from the Feijoa Tree. I remember the Goldfish Pond out in the backyard in the bathtub."

- Chelsea Elers, Dec 2024

"I can remember Reg boiling the jug outside in the garage on his two-burner gas cooker. He would always be wood chopping. Another memory was when Shane was playing Rugby for Red Star, Reg would tell Shane he wouldn't make his game but I guarantee, he would always be there for Shane's games. Reg and Janet religiously watched Shortland Street and never missed an episode."

- Wendy Elers, Dec 2024

"Just thinking of all the memories, there are so many great memories! My first veggie garden at Sussex Street was the best veggie garden ever all because of Dad! He would do everything to it to make it amazing, weeding, watering, planting etc. His kindness with everybody was outstanding. He was forever helping other people in our community - he would deliver fruit and veggies, he would build fences, he was a handyman, he would mow lawns, he would paint houses. You name it, he would willingly do it."

- Shane Elers, Dec 2024

Taku Toi Kahurangi, Ko Matangihau 

He Oriori / A Lullaby 

Nā Paige Nuku, March 2022

Reginald and mokopuna, Matangihau