Paraone “was the son of a wealthy Mohoaonui chief, who in turn was related to Toetoe. Paraone... [was] the product of a missionary school, could read and write Māori, had a smattering of school-learning and was a competent sower, flour-grinder and baker.” When the the Austrian frigate Novara sailed to New Zealand, Wiremu Toetoe Tumohe and Paraone were signed on as crew on its departure from New Zealand on 8 January 1859. They arrived in Austria in September 1859 and worked at the State Printing House in Vienna where they learnt English, German, and printing. On their departure from Austria nine months later, they were given a printing press which was later used for printing Te Hokioi - the Kingite newspaper. They returned to New Zealand via England where they were presented to Queen Victoria. Both men kept a journal of their trip to Austria. Tumohe’s journal is printed in Te Ao Hou 24 and Paraone’s journal is printed in Te Ao Hou 25. The men returned to New Zealand in October 1860.
Biographical sources
- Fletcher, John. "From the Waikato to Vienna and Back: How Two Māori Learned to Print." Bibliographical Society of Australia and New Zealand. Rpt. Tu Tangata 29 (1986): 44-47.
- Brookes, Walter. "Austria and the Māori People." Te Ao Hou 24 (1958): 38-39.
Biography
- "A Vienna Journal." Te Ao Hou 25 (1958): 20-27. In Māori and English.
- In Paraone’s journal describing his visit to Vienna in 1859 with Wiremu Tumohe, he begins with an account of their voyage from Auckland to Tahiti by sailing ship and following their subsequent arrival in Vienna, he writes of a procession in November 1859 celebrating the Emperor’s birthday. He describes the European houses, the fountains and visits to factories and the zoological gardens. He concludes with a message printed in Māori and German, which greets the people of Vienna and commends them on the beauty of their city.
Other
- Brookes, Walter. "Austria and the Māori People." Te Ao Hou 24 (1958): 38-39.
- Fletcher, John. "From The Waikato To Vienna And Back: How Two Māori Learned To Print." Bibliographical Society of Australia and New Zealand 8.3 (1984): 147-155. Rpt. Tu Tangata 29 (1986): 44-47.
- A very detailed study of Tumohe and Rerehau’s visit to Austria in 1859-1860.