Moke Arapeta George Couch

Ngāi Tahu, Waitaha, Ngāti Mutunga, Ngāti Tama, Ngāti Toa, Ngāti Raukawa

1927 -



Moke Couch was born in Lyttelton and educated at Rapaki Māori School, Lyttelton West and Christchurch Technical College. He continued his education at Canterbury University, Auckland University and Massey University and graduated with a B.A. in Sociology. He is a theological graduate from Trinity Theological College in Auckland; his studies included pastoral psychology and counselling. He has studied public service administration including penal institutions, criminal justice acts and penal psychology. He is a retired minister of religion and is currently a Director of Community Services, a tutor, a counsellor and a consultant in social, cultural, spiritual and environmental impact under Te Aana Mission Trust in Taranaki. He has an unpublished collection of articles and prose on various topics written over 40 years including cultural, social, historical and traditional events and practices such as cannibalism, mythology, traditional cultural and spiritual theology, healing and therapies, local indigenous history, and current issues.

Biographical sources

  • Correspondence from Couch, 18 Jan. 1998.

    Non-fiction

  • "Guest House for Māori Youths in Christchurch" Te Ao Hou 37 (1961): 30.
  • Couch describes the Te Ao Hou Guest House which Herbert and Huia Rennie established in Lincoln Road, Christchurch in 1960, to accommodate young Māori men taking up apprenticeships in Christchurch.