A full life on the papakainga Elizabeths story
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This episode of 'Far From Town' follows host Arpage Taratorangikura as they visit Elizabeth Heda Cunningham on the Banks Peninsula, a remote and rugged stretch of Aotearoa. Elizabeth, a proud Māori woman of Ngāi Tahu, Ngāti Erekehu, and Ngāti Mutunga ki Wharekauri descent, shares her deep connection to her ancestral home and marae, Tūtehuerewa. Through intimate storytelling, she reflects on her family’s legacy—spanning five generations—her role as a caregiver, her work in Māori health and governance, and the profound grief of losing her son in a car crash. Despite the challenges of isolation, aging, and the erosion of rural communities, Elizabeth remains committed to her whānau, her marae, and her people. Her life embodies resilience, cultural pride, and the enduring power of place, whakapapa, and community. The episode poignantly captures the beauty and complexity of living on the papakainga—on one’s own whenua—where identity, history, and belonging are deeply rooted in land and lineage.
Living on the papakainga is not just about physical location—it’s about deep cultural, spiritual, and familial connection to the land.
Māori women have historically held significant land and leadership roles, often overlooked in colonial narratives.
The marae is a living, breathing space of culture, healing, music, and community—central to identity and wellbeing.
Isolation in rural areas presents real challenges, especially for health and access to services, but with the right support, people can thrive where they belong.
Grief and loss are deeply personal, but they can also become catalysts for purpose and advocacy, as seen in Elizabeth’s lifelong work in Māori health and governance.
Arrival at the End of the Road
The episode opens with a journey through the winding, challenging roads of Banks Peninsula. The host arrives at Elizabeth’s remote homestead, setting the tone for a story rooted in place, whakapapa, and resilience.
Generations in the House
“I'm proud of this place. I'm very proud of it. Linda and I, my twin sister and I, put a lot of love into this house because it needed...”
Whakapapa, Song, and Legacy
“He picked up on Linda and I and he said, I'm going to teach your song. And that's the song he taught us in Italian because that's what the Māori Battalion loved...”
From Home to Governance
“You put yourself out there. You really do. Like I said earlier, getting to and from Banks Peninsula is extremely challenging because of the roads.”
Honour, Identity, and Belonging
“I am Māori. Over the years, Elizabeth was elected to the Canterbury Area Health Board and was the first Māori to be a Canterbury councillor for the environment.”
“That's our cathedral. That's my cathedral. And I'm sure it's others. That's my church. And that's what I believe.”
“I am Māori. Over the years, Elizabeth was elected to the Canterbury Area Health Board and was the first Māori to be a Canterbury councillor for the environment.”
“I'm proud of this place. I'm very proud of it. Linda and I, my twin sister and I, put a lot of love into this house because it needed...”
Host
Guest
Elizabeth Heda Cunningham
person
Tūtehuerewa Marae
place
Banks Peninsula
place
Linda Cunningham
person
Ngāi Tahu
other
Māori Women's Welfare League
organization
Canterbury Area Health Board
organization
King's Service Medal
other
Marina
person
All Blacks
other
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