Te Ngakauiti Kate Shaw née Carnachan

Ngāti Rangiwewehi

1896 - 1999

Kate Shaw was born in Rotorua, one of Fox Maule Carnachan and Sarah née Piercy Carnachan’s nine children. She grew up on the banks of the Utuhina river. All nine children were given Māori names but were christened with English names. Shaw was christened at St Faith’s Church in Rotorua and was named after her great grandmother Te Ngakauiti who lived on Mokoia Island, was taken away to the north after Hongi Hika’s raid of 1823 and eventually escaped to Auckland. Shaw was educated at Rotorua Public School; she left school at the age of fourteen as there was no secondary college in Rotorua. She began writing in her school days; as a young woman, she wrote to the New Zealand Herald voicing her opposition to the idea of women wearing corsets. In 1910 she entered an A and P Show writing competition for an original story and for an essay on a set topic and was awarded two second placings. She worked as an office girl in A.G. Cottrell’s general store in Rotorua’s Fenton Street. She married Squire Shaw and moved with Squire’s forestry work to Nelson, Palmerston North and Wellington. In the early 1930s, she wrote a weekly column for Girl Guides and a column for the Rotorua tramping club in Rotorua’s Daily Post. In the 1940s, she was a regular contributor to the women’s pages of New Zealand Dairy Exporter, and wrote poetry under the pen name "Counter". She also used the names Kotiro, Aunt Kay, Hinera, and Bobbin. She wrote series for radio called "Wahine" and "Māori Legends" which were broadcast on the National Programme. She also wrote programmes for a local Rotorua radio station on Māori Legends. In Palmerston North, she wrote three programmes on Māori lore for 2ZA; these were broadcast on December 1951.

She wrote poems, plays, stories for children and non-fiction articles and wanted to compile another book called Ordinary People. Two of her children’s stories “The Adventures of Itchy and Scratchy” and “The Bike Ride” were ready for publication in the 1990s.

In August 1992, she received a Rotorua community award for “outstanding service to the district and its community”. As a keen sportswoman, Shaw has been involved in hockey teams and hockey administration, gymnastics, rowing, tramping, and golf. She was Patron and Life member of the Rotorua Golf Club and an honorary member of the Rotorua and District Women’s Veteran Golf Society. She was an active member of Girl Guides, was a District Commissioner, and was an honorary member of the Waiariki Province of the Girl Guide Association. She was a member of the New Zealand Women Writers’ Society, the Polynesian Society and was vice president of the Rotorua and District Historical Society. She wrote many more articles and stories published in magazines. She published Hongi’s Track in her 102nd year. She was awarded the Queen’s Service Medal for community service in 1997.



Biographical sources

  • Interview with Kate Shaw at her home in Rotorua, 30 Aug. 1992.
  • Correspondence from Shaw 10 Feb. 1998.
  • Shaw, Kate. "Te Ngakauiti Kate Shaw (1897)." Haeata Herstory 1985. Haeata Herstory Collective. Auckland, N.Z.: New Women’s Press, 1984. 40.
  • Earle, Simon. "Retirement Not on Kate’s Mind." Daily Post 12 Sept. 1991.

    Children's literature

  • "The Talking Shell." Te Ao Hou 17 (1956): 22-23, 48.
  • In this story, Matiu, a young boy on holiday, climbs Ngongotaha mountain and finds a talking toheroa shell. The shell tells Matiu about the great Arawa explorer Ihenga who befriended patupaiarehe [fairy folk] on the summit of Ngongotaha and in repayment for their protection he seeks out the one thing the patupaiarehe chief desires - sweet toheroa from Whakatane.
  • "Tu and the Taniwha." Te Ao Hou 25 (1958): 47-48.
  • In this children’s story, Shaw writes of the adventures of Tu Tuatara and his meeting with Timi Tuna and the taniwha.
  • "The Concert." Te Ao Hou 26 (1959): 47-49.
  • Another tale of Tu Tuatara and his excursion into the bush where he meets the tui and kiwi and together they give a concert for all the birds in the forest.
  • "Wini Weka’s Joke: A Story For Children." Te Ao Hou 33 (1960): 11-12.
  • The pukeko, duck, bittern, shining cuckoo and robin play a trick on their inquisitive friend Wini Weka only to have it backfire on them when Wini discovers their plan.
  • "The Story of the Stilts." Re-told by Kate Shaw. School Journal 3.2 (1974): 2-9.
  • When Tama and Tu discover that Toi has eaten their pet dog Potaka they take revenge by stealing nuts from Toi’s nut tree. In their attempted escape on stilts Tu is captured but makes a bid for freedom after outperforming Toi’s performers.
  • "The Two Brothers and the Beautiful Wife." School Journal 4 .1 (1979): 44-46.
  • A story of two brothers, Tu-te-amoamo and Waihuka, and a beautiful woman, Hine-te-kakara, who were the only survivors of a sickness which killed many in the Kawhia area. When Hine-te-kakara chose Waihuka as her husband Tu-te-amoamo unsuccessfully devises a plot to kill his brother and to claim Hine-te-kakara as his wife. Shaw states that she was told this story in her childhood and that Waihuka and Hine-te-kakara are the ancestors of many in the Waikato.

    • Fiction

  • "O Little Maid." Woman’s Viewpoint: Official Journal of the National Council of Women of New Zealand. 2.4 (1963): 22-23, 29.
  • Shaw tells the story of a slave woman chased away from the tribe by her husband’s two other wives and forced to give birth and nurture her baby in the wilds of the bush. Shaw writes ‘[t]he song "O Little Maid" was once sung to me by an Arawa elder. Why did he sing it to me? Perhaps because my great-grandmother was carried away by the Ngapuhis after the raid on Mokoia in 1823. Perhaps the ‘little maid’ was her daughter - I have not been able to find out.’
  • Hongi’s Track. Perth, Western Austral.: Jeanette and John McCowan. Auckland, N.Z.: Carol and Rob Davis, 1997.
  • In this historical novel Shaw describes the events surrounding Hongi Hika’s raid on Mokoia Island from the viewpoint of twelve different characters who are the narrators of different chapters. Alongside tribal legend and history Shaw weaves a story of romance, intertribal relationships, strong female protagonists, and the impact of introduced weapons and values on Māori traditions and warfare.

    • Non-fiction

  • "Should The Churches Amalgamate?" Counter. New Zealand Dairy Exporter 20.9 (1945): 106.
  • Shaw provides one of many responses entered and published in the Dairy Exporter’s monthly essay competition. Shaw argues against amalgamation of the churches and supports instead the individual expression of many forms of worship.
  • "Māori Divorce Proceedings." Hinera. NZ Woman’s Weekly 1 Apr. 1945.
  • "We Say ‘Hullo’ To Men From Britain." Counter. NZ Dairy Exporter 1 June 1945.
  • "Of New Zealand Mountains: On Tarawera." New Zealand Woman’s Weekly 2 Aug. 1945: 12+.
  • Shaw writes of the philosophising of a mountain climber toiling up to the top of Mount Tarawera and reflecting on the old Māori legends concerning the area.
  • "Over the Teacups." Hinera. New Zealand Woman’s Weekly 14 Oct 1948.
  • Shaw recounts an example of polygamy in traditional Māori society in response to an article published in New Zealand Woman’s Weekly by Marie Alderson entitled "One Man...Several Wives" (2 Sept. 1948).
  • "Ways Of Cooking Corned Beef." In ‘Here’s a Hint...’ Hinera. New Zealand Woman’s Weekly 18 Nov. 1948: 26.
  • The writer provides various ways of serving corned beef.
  • "Is Competition The Life of Trade?" Counter. New Zealand Dairy Exporter 15.8 (1 Feb 1950): 90
  • Shaw argues, in this paragraph, that competition is a vital component of trade in the Dairy Exporter’s ‘February Forum’.
  • "Loveliest Things I Know." Counter. The New Zealand Dairy Exporter 25.9 (1 Mar. 1950): 100.
  • Shaw present a paragraph in the Dairy Exporter "March Forum...Loveliest Things I Know" and describes her love of water, nature and standing on top of a mountain.
  • "Winter Journey." New Zealand Dairy Exporter 25.11 (1 May 1950): 103.
  • Shaw, employing a narrative account, describes a journey through the Desert Road in winter.
  • "The ‘Cuppa’ That Doesn’t Cheer Everybody..." In ‘Readers Declare.’ Aunt Kay. New Zealand Woman’s Weekly 16 Nov. 1950. No further details.
  • An impassioned plea for restaurateurs and hotel proprietors to serve coffee alongside the ‘eternal cuppa tea’.
  • "Entertaining People." Counter. New Zealand Dairy Exporter 25.12 (1 June 1950): 115-116.
  • Shaw contributes to the Dairy Exporter’s "June Forum" on entertaining by writing her tips for successful entertaining with games and supper.
  • "Did He Love You For Your Beauty? How And Why He Proposed." Kotiro. New Zealand Woman’s Weekly 6 Sept. 1951: 44-45.
  • A collection of anecdotal accounts of how various women met their husbands.
  • "Rotorua From The Tramper’s Angle: Glimpses Of Places Off The Beaten Track." Kotiro. New Zealand Woman’s Weekly 19 Apr. 1951: 10+.
  • Shaw reminisces about an invigorating tramp around the shore of Lake Okareka and on to Lake Tarawera, and recalls the beauty of the lakes and bush, and the history of the area.
  • "Why Not Take A Job?" Bobbin. New Zealand Woman’s Weekly 7 May 1951.
  • "The Year We Won The Cup." Te Ao Hou 21 (1957): 61.
  • Shaw recounts the triumph of the Rotorua Women’s Hockey Team which won the Auckland Provincial Cup in 1925 after two years of unsuccessful attempts.
  • "My Town." Counter. New Zealand Dairy Exporter June 1959. No further details.
  • "Maybe..." Counter. New Zealand Dairy Exporter 35.1 (10 July 1959): 112.
  • Responding to the Dairy Exporter’s "July Forum : If I Wasn’t Me...I’d Rather Be", Shaw states that she would be Danny Kaye because of the joy he brings to ‘a sorry world.’
  • "Freedom." Counter. New Zealand Dairy Exporter 35.3 (10 Sept. 1959):82.
  • Shaw contributes an essay on the theme of freedom from the monthly competition, stating that freedom must be distinguished from licence and that self-discipline and self-control are necessary components of freedom. She stresses the importance of exercising one’s right to vote and guarding the freedoms of press, speech and election.
  • "Do We Want" Counter. New Zealand Dairy Exporter 25.4 (Oct. 1959): 75.
  • An article submitted for the Dairy Exporter’s monthly theme ‘Do we want television in NZ" in which Shaw advocates the introduction of television into New Zealand on the grounds that ‘from the point of view of science, education, sports and entertainment, we cannot afford to be without it." This article was published amongst the ‘most interesting reading’ submissions.
  • "Between Ourselves." Counter. New Zealand Dairy Exporter 25.7 (10 Jan. 1960): 68.
  • Shaw disputes comments made by Jan H in a previous edition of New Zealand Dairy Exporter concerning what Jan H asserts is Pakeha influence in some aspect of Māori architecture in the track and steps leading up to a cave at Rotorua Powerhouse.
  • "Equal Pay For Equal Work?" Counter. New Zealand Dairy Exporter 25.9 (10 Mar. 1960): 117.
  • Shaw argues against equal pay for women stating ‘Man with guile and cunning hopes to wean woman workers away from the easier jobs into the field of manual labour.’ She maintains that the flaws of an egalitarian system are that women would lose interest in marriage and child bearing which would then lead to ‘the total extinction of the human race.’
  • "The Story of Marara Tuawhaki – Peacemaker." Journal of the New Zealand Federation of Historical Societies 1.9 (July 1979): 38-39.
  • "Hongi Hika’s Raid On Mokoia Island." Journal of the New Zealand Federation of Historical Societies 1.10 (July 1980): 32-35.
  • "Sport." Rotorua 1880-1980. Ed. Don Stafford, Roger Steele and Joan Boyd. Rotorua, N.Z.: H. A. Holmes & Coy; Rotorua and District Historical Society, 1980. 237-244.
  • A detailed account of the sporting activities and personalities of Rotorua from the 1880s to the present, and an account of Shaw’s experiences in the local hockey teams.
  • "This Storied Land." Journal of the New Zealand Federation of Historical Societies 1.11 (July 1981): 58-59.
  • "Golf History - And The Ladies" In ‘Arikikapakapa: Rotorua’s Golf Course Has More Than Its Share of Hazards.’ Aorangi 1.6 (1981): 34-35.
  • "Te Ngakauiti Kate Shaw (1897)." Haeata Herstory 1985. Haeata Herstory Collective. Auckland, N.Z.: New Women’s Press, 1984. 40.
  • In this oral account Shaw speaks of growing up on the banks of the Utuhina river and working in the general store in Rotorua’s Fenton Street from the age of fourteen. She discusses the importance of sport in her life and her long history of writing and briefly speaks of her Māori identity.
  • "Te Waharoa." Journal of the New Zealand Federation of Historical Societies 2.2 (Aug. 1984): 26-28.
  • "Pukeroa Hill And The Hospital." Historical Review: Bay of Plenty Journal of History 34.1 (May 1986): 21-23.
  • Shaw provides a history of King George V Hospital which was built in 1916 on Pukeroa Hill in Rotorua and recounts anecdotal accounts of activities associated with the hospital and surrounding area.
  • "Still Sits The Schoolhouse." Journal of the New Zealand Federation of Historical Studies 2.4 (Sept. 1986): 13-15.
  • "We Played the Game." Historical Review: Bay of Plenty Journal of History 34.2 (Nov. 1986): 91-94.
  • Shaw recounts her early hockey-playing experiences in Rotorua and writes of her team’s successful bid to win the Auckland, N.Z. Provincial Cup in 1925.
  • Just Ordinary People. Rotorua, N.Z.: Rotorua Historical Society, 1990. Rpt. as "Excerpts from Just Ordinary People." Rimu: N.Z. Art, Culture & History 1.6 [1986?]: 11.
  • A sixteen chapter publication which Shaw describes as ‘a few jottings of people, places and events from [her] own recollections of a Rotorua that was a small town in 1896, the year [she] was born, and still a small town for some time after that.’ She adds ‘Some of the people I knew well and some only slightly, so I write of them as I knew them and not from a strictly biographical angle.’
  • "By Train And Boat To Gisborne From Rotorua in 1904." New Zealand Legacy 5.2 (1994): 10.

  • Other

  • "A Good Neighbour." Counter. New Zealand Dairy Exporter nd.
  • "Uncle Jim." Counter. New Zealand Dairy Exporter nd.
  • "Peace Has Come." Counter. New Zealand Dairy Exporter nd.
  • "The Man Who Cuts My Hair." Counter. New Zealand Dairy Exporter n.d.
  • "Dad Came To Stay." Counter. New Zealand Dairy Exporter n.d.
  • "What Irritates Me Most." Bill Counter. New Zealand Dairy Exporter n.d.
  • "Reading I Enjoy." Counter. New Zealand Dairy Exporter n.d.
  • The Housewife’s Plant.
  • Gardener’s Pride.
  • I Heard A Tui Sing.
  • Violets On The Garden Wall.
  • On A Summer’s Day.
  • "Recipe For Well Being." Counter. New Zealand Dairy Exporter n.d.
  • "Jonquils, Gold And Creamy Cool." Mirror. n.d.
  • "By The Still Lagoon."c. post-1950.
  • Te Ao Hou 45 (1963): 18.
  • Shaw comments on the story of Ponga and Puhihuia which Te Ao Hou reprinted in issues 44 and 45 (1963).

    • Poetry

  • "Tramping & Camping." New Zealand Dairy Exporter c. 1940s.
  • First published work but publication details unknown.
  • "The Village Postmaster." Counter. New Zealand Dairy Exporter 1 Apr. 1941: 62.
  • A wartime poem in which the speaker urges others to follow the example of the village postmaster and to ‘[w]rite lots of letters to the boys/They’ll all be home next year.’
  • "Charm Care Away." Counter. New Zealand Dairy Exporter 16.9 (1 May 1941): 60.
  • The poet suggests a walk in the hills enjoying the birds and wildflowers as a therapeutic cure for those laden with ‘worldly ills’.
  • "Honourable Old Age." Counter. New Zealand Dairy Exporter 17.1 (1 Sept. 1941): 69.
  • The poet writes of an old farm car and its myriad uses on the farm.
  • "New Friends." Counter. New Zealand Dairy Exporter 17.3 (1 Nov. 1941): 43.
  • The poet writes of the merits of new friends.
  • "I Know A House." Counter. New Zealand Dairy Exporter 17.4 (1 Dec. 1941): 58.
  • The poet describes the noblest qualities exhibited in the ideal home.
  • "W.W.S.A. Atten-shun." Counter. New Zealand Dairy Exporter 17.9 (1 May 1942): 65.
  • The poet writes of the benefits of army drill.
  • "The Hoarders." Counter. New Zealand Dairy Exporter 18.3 (2 Nov 1942): 51.
  • The poet berates those who hoard surplus food items during wartime despite being wealthy and induce rationing while the poor subsist on substitutes.
  • "We Went Cherry Picking." Counter. New Zealand Dairy Exporter 18.7 (1 Mar. 1943): 47.
  • An unsuccessful journey to gather cherries in the wild is redeemed by the beauty of the natural elements.
  • "My Pen Picture." Counter. New Zealand Dairy Exporter (1 Aug. 1944): 64.
  • In this poem submitted in a section entitled "What I think of my husband’, the speaker presents a six verse portrayal of her husband and notes the fairies that attended her husband’s birth and imbued him with their characteristics.
  • "Our Boss." Counter. New Zealand Dairy Exporter 20.2 (2 Oct. 1944): 51.
  • A portrait of a well-travelled boss with an eye for ‘any lady fair’.
  • "John." Counter. New Zealand Dairy Exporter 20.4 (1 Dec 1944): 74.
  • A description of three year old John who brings comfort to his family who are grieving their father’s death during the war.
  • "The Friend I can Admire." Counter. New Zealand Dairy Exporter 21.1 (1 Sept. 1945): 107.
  • A humorous poem on the qualities of her friends that impress the poet.
  • "Gracie Visits Our Town." Counter. New Zealand Dairy Exporter 21.2 (1 Oct. 1945): 82
  • A short poem on the widespread adulation bestowed on Gracie [Fields] during her visit to New Zealand.
  • "My Bucket." Counter. New Zealand Dairy Exporter 20.7 (1 Mar. 1945): 86.
  • The poet humorously assesses which of her wedding presents has proved most useful.
  • "I’d Like To Meet..." Counter. New Zealand Dairy Exporter 20.10 (1 June 1945): 96.
  • In this poem, written in response to the Dairy Exporter’s essay competition ‘The Personality I Would Most Like To Meet’, Shaw writes of her desire to meet Winston Churchill and congratulate him for his work in the Second World War.
  • "Grannie’s Porch." Counter. New Zealand Dairy Exporter 20.11 (2 July 1945): 100.
  • Shaw pays tribute to her aging Grannie.
  • "Let Our Memorials Have Beauty." Counter. New Zealand Dairy Exporter 20.12 (1 Aug. 1945): 96.
  • Shaw writes this poem in response to the Dairy Exporter’s essay competition "Our War Memorials: What Shall Be Their Form?" Shaw suggests that war memorials should have beauty, should inspire, have friendship, and be triumphant because that was the nature of those the memorials commemorate.
  • "We’ll Plant The Farm." Counter. New Zealand Dairy Exporter 21.8 (Apr. 1946): 92.
  • The speaker plans to emulate her uncle’s tree-planting programme which she recalls from her childhood.
  • "Yes - They Do!" Counter. New Zealand Dairy Exporter 1 Mar. 1947.
  • A poem written in response to an essay competition "Do Professional Women Make Good Farmers’ Wives?"
  • "New Settlers." New Zealand Dairy Exporter 25.9 (1 Mar. 1950): 88.
  • Shaw comments on the integration of new settlers into New Zealand.
  • "Qualifications." Counter. New Zealand Dairy Exporter 11 May 1959: 85.
  • This poem focuses on the "Qualifications for the Perfect Hostess".
  • "They Did Not Bring Her Any Travel Fears." [First line] Counter. New Zealand Dairy Exporter 25.5 (Nov. 1959): 83.
  • This poem was submitted as part of the November Forum "The Perfect Guest" in which Shaw describes the visit of octogenarian Auntie Flo and the qualities which made her the perfect guest.
  • Occasional Poems. Rotorua, N.Z.: Kate Shaw, 1984.
  • This contains poems written over many years and some appeared in magazines that are now out of circulation.

    Non-fiction

  • 1985 Haeata Herstory. Haeata Herstory Collective. Auckland, N.Z.: New Women’s Press, 1985. 40.
  • "100 Not Out And A Medal." Daily Post 31 Dec. 1996: 3.
  • "Another Milestone." Daily Post 10 Sept. 1999: 1.
  • Bradley, Lisa. "Lives Less Ordinary." Daily Post 2 Oct. 1999: 10.
  • Earle, Simon. "Retirement Not On Kate’s Mind." Daily Post 12 Sept. 1991. 12.
  • Johnson, Ann-Marie. "Big Day For Kate Shaw." Daily Post 23 May 1997: 1.
  • "Kate Books Up Another." Daily Post 13 Dec. 1997: 2.
  • "Kate Shaw Feels Like 39, Not 99." Daily Post 9 Sept. 1995: 1.
  • Nicholas, Jill. "Memoreis Of Rotorua A ‘Dusty Village’." Daily Post 11 Sept. 1993: 1.
  • Nicholas, Jill. "Kate Has Sights Set On Century." Daily Post 10 Sept. 1994: 1.
  • "One Hundred Active Years For Kate." Daily Post 90 Sept. 1996: 1.

  • Other

  • "‘First Lady’ of Rotorua Dies." Daily Post 28 Sept. 1999: 1.
  • "He Maimai Aroha." Mana: The Māori News Magazine For All New Zealanders 31 (Dec. 1999/Jan. 2000): 6-9.
  • "Lives of Note." Evening Post 7 Oct. 1999.