Story: Cook Islanders

Alistair Te Ariki Campbell

Alistair Te Ariki Campbell

Born in Rarotonga, Alistair Te Ariki Campbell arrived in New Zealand in 1933. He and his brother William were sent to a Dunedin orphanage when their parents died. Alistair, who became a poet, novelist and playwright, recalls trying to rub off his dark skin in the bath: ‘To survive I felt that I had to make myself invisible.’ He is shown here as a young man.

Using this item

Alexander Turnbull Library, Landfall Collection (PAColl-7276)
Reference: 1/2-003021; F

Permission of the Alexander Turnbull Library, National Library of New Zealand, Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa, must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

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How to cite this page:

Carl Walrond, 'Cook Islanders - Migration', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/852/alistair-te-ariki-campbell (accessed 30 March 2024)

Story by Carl Walrond, published 8 Feb 2005, updated 1 Mar 2015