Remembering Royalty - when the Queen visited Rotorua

Tuesday, 18 September 2018

The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh with Rangi in 1954. Behind them are the Prime Minister, Mr Holland, and Mrs. Holland.

Motioning to the group of dignitaries around Queen Elizabeth II, Rangitiaria Dennan - better known as Guide Rangi - suggested to the Monarch she 'get rid of some of them'.

It was January 3, 1954, and Queen Elizabeth and husband Prince Philip were visiting Rotorua's famed Whakarewarewa Māori Village, and Guide Rangi had just invited them in for tea.

That incident is just one of the many anecdotes that Christina Gardiner, a sprightly 77 years old, remembers from 64 years ago when, as a 12-year-old, she was among the villagers to welcome the Queen.

Gardiner is talking to Stuff ahead of another Royal visit to Rotorua next month, this time the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Harry and Meghan.

Christina Gardiner, standing where the Queen stood back in 1954, remembers her as a dignified woman with 'an air of grace.'

* Royal tour of New Zealand - where Prince Harry and Meghan Markle should head**

Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex, are visiting New Zealand next month. They will be in Rotorua on October 31.

Back in 1954 however, it wasn't originally meant to be the Queen visiting.

'We were told at school that Princess Elizabeth and Philip Mountbatten were coming, and then we were told she was not coming when we expected because her dad had passed away and by the time she gets to us, she'll be Queen Elizabeth II.'

She said news of the visit prompted much excitement among the younger residents, but some of the older ones were concerned.

'We were over the moon, except for the older generation. There's a thing in the Māori world. She's the ruling Monarch, if she'd come as a Princess it'd be fine but coming as the Queen and the ruling Monarch they didn't want her to put her foot on the soil first,' she said.

Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip, pictured watching the penny divers at Whakarewarewa, Rotorua, on January 3, 1954.

'They wanted Prince Philip too. It's a male world in the Māori world. . . there was a lot of disagreement with the old people that it would cause a disaster.'

While Royal, rather than Māori protocol, won the day, it seems the incident didn't dampen Gardiner's appreciation of the Monarch, and the welcome she received at the village and a later reception at Arawa Park.

Rotorua's children were keen to show off in front their diving moves in front of royalty.

Gardiner laughs when talking about why the Queen arrived late for that reception.

'Rangi said to her you must be tired, all that travelling. Can you get rid of some of them [dignitaries] and we'll go to my place. She took the Queen home to have a rest, take your shoes off, you're at home, so she was a bit late coming to Arawa Park,' she said.

'She enjoyed her rest at Rangi's place and she enjoyed her cup of tea. The press wasn't supposed to get hold of that, but it's how it is when you have visitors. She [Rangi] just wanted her to relax. She may be the Queen but Guide Rangi just said take a step back, she's coming back with me. Just the Duke and the Queen. That's hospitality at it's best.'

Gardiner's eyes light up when she remembers the Arawa Park reception.

'I can still picture the dress she wore, a white one with green flowers. . . it was the most wonderful welcome I've ever seen,' she said.

'Like watching ballet dancers, all the different tribes of Te Arawa and she took it all in her stride. As a kid I'm watching her and thinking gosh, this heat. As time went on I understood she was Queen and couldn't afford to let her guard down. She took it all in her stride with dignity. I've admired her ever since.'

Gardiner laughs again when asked whether she'd be happy to see Prince Harry follow in the footsteps on his grandmother.

'I think he's the bomb. He's so down to earth. I think his grandmother is too, but it's when the cameras are there, she has to play that part.'

She even had an offer for the Prince.

'I'd boil an egg for him in the hot pool if he wanted it.'

Talk turns to Harry's grandfather and his famed gaffes, more laughter.

'He speaks his mind,' she said.

Did he 'speak his mind' on the visit?

'Not at all. He was the ultimate gentleman. He was up against Guide Rangi.'