In this warm and lively conversation, Te One Wesley shares vivid memories of childhood days living at Vallance Cottage in Alexandra, and beyond to his adventures on the high seas.
Te One shares stories of family life, music, storytelling and hard work centred around the tiny sun-dried brick cottage. He recalls the colourful characters – grandparents, cousins, and school friends – and the traditions that shaped daily life, from picking and preserving fruit and baking legendary shortbread to inventive rabbit trapping and the camaraderie of local sports.
Te One reflects on schooling, early jobs like the milk run, and explores the practicalities of rural living: the availability of health care, the importance of cultivating vegetable gardens, and the routines of wash days and baking. He goes on to recount his journey from Alexandra to Auckland at age fifteen to join the Navy and discusses his experiences as a sailor.
Throughout, themes of resilience, humour, and gratitude shine through, painting a picture of a close-knit family and a childhood rich in experience.
Interviewer: Raylene Fastier
Interview Dates: February 2023
Te One Wesley, 2023
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