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Latter-day Saint Grandmother Honoured at 2014 Waiata Māori Music Awards

Mrs Rangi Parker, a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from Temple View, Hamilton, received the prestigious “Music Industry Iconic Award” at this year’s Waiata Māori Music Awards held last Friday in Hastings, New Zealand.

Rangi Parker Receiving Music Award

The award recognized Mrs Parker for her contributions over many years as a performer.

Mrs Parker performed two songs at the awards event held at the Hastings Sports Centre on 12 September:  “Mihi Mai E Koro,” a song written by her aunt, Dovey Katene Horvath; and "Home," by Eddie Low.

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Starting out in the music industry as a young mother of six children, Mrs Parker was able to balance her singing career with raising a young family as well as participating in church and community activities, “Because my husband was very supportive of me,” she said.

“I don’t think I could have done it if I didn’t have a husband supporting me like he did.  He was wonderful.”

When her husband, Vic Parker, was asked how he felt about the award he said, “I was delighted!  I thought it was wonderful that she would receive this recognition years after she finished singing professionally.” 

Mrs Parker has memories of her mother’s love of music.  “My mother had a beautiful voice.  I remember her saying many times that music was very fulfilling, and that’s how it’s been with me.  Music has been very soothing for me.  Music soothes the soul.”

In addition to performing, Mrs Parker has also written several songs including “Stand for the Truth,” a song written for her children. It was recorded in English, Maori and Japanese.  “I wanted to leave something, that when it’s time for me to go, they will never forget,” she said. 

She engaged her children in music from an early age, teaching them how to sing and to harmonize.  “At night we would sing at open houses for the missionary programs and Church devotionals in Adelaide, Melbourne and Brisbane,” she said. “The whole family entertained because they played instruments. They would dance and sing.”  

“We never could have accomplished what we’ve accomplished without the gospel in our lives.”  She said, “The gospel has been something special in my life and has helped me through my career.” 

Today the Parkers are serving as volunteer missionaries for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saint in the New Zealand Church History Centre in Temple View, Hamilton. 

It gives her great pleasure, she says, to immerse herself in Church history with an emphasis on Māori culture.

When asked if there was a particular song that motivates her in her current work, without hesitation she replied, “Tell Me the Stories of Long Ago,” a song written over 25 years ago by her auntie, Dovey Katene Horvath. 

“Today it is always in the back of my mind – ‘Tell us the stories of long ago, tell us of tales of Māori,’” she says. “It’s all the gospel teachings. It’s all about teaching us how to love one another and teaching us how to be strong, going to the rescue of those needing rescuing and bringing them back to the fold.”

Mrs Parker says one quote she heard as a child has always stayed with her, and helped her in her family and community involvement: "He aha te me nui o te Ao ma ku e ki atu, He Tangata He Tangata, He Tangata."

"This means," she says, "What is the most important thing in this world? I say to you, It is People. It is People, It is People." 

 

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