Nine To Noon Book review: Rangatiratanga and Gentlemanship by Grant Hodgson
Nov 11, 2025
In this engaging discussion, Lynn Freeman, a seasoned radio reviewer and broadcaster, dives into Grant Hodgson's Rangatiratanga and Gentlemanship. She reveals her family connection to Hodgson, sparking her interest in genealogy and micro-histories. Freeman highlights the pivotal 1825 Kere Kere meeting aimed at avoiding war, exploring the challenges of translation and interpreting nuance in historical records. She discusses the missionaries' knowledge of te reo and mutual respect between cultures, concluding with a thoughtful appraisal of the book.
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Personal Connection To The Book
- Lynn Freeman reveals she is distantly related to Grant Hodgson and to people in the book, including her five-times-great-grandfather Reverend Richard Davis.
- She connects personal genealogy to interest in missionary writings and micro-histories that illuminate complex history.
Recorded 1825 Dialogue And Its Roles
- The book records an 1825 conversation aiming to dissuade a war between Ngāpuhi rangatira and others at Kere Kere in the Bay of Islands.
- William Gilbert Paki acted as the young translator while Reverend Richard Davis rapidly recorded the dialogue, creating the surviving account.
Limits And Strengths Of The Translation
- Translation inevitably strips nuance like facial expression and tone, so some meanings remain speculative.
- However, missionaries had some te reo and Hongi Hika had overseas experience, which likely improved mutual understanding.
