Life in von Tempsky’s shadow
A house affectionately named after a long dead artist has found new life as a home for artists.
Hãana Pratt-Rink has called number 1 von Tempsky Street home for the past three years.
‘‘We all call this house the VT, it’s a nickname that comes from the street’s name,’’ the 21-year-old said.
‘‘All our friends know it as the VT. They just say ‘there’s a party at the VT’, or ‘an art show at the VT’. In the underground art scene this is known as the VT.’’
Von Tempsky Street is named after Prussian-born Gustavus Ferdinand von Tempsky, a man with a fondness for water colours – and a scrap.
Details of von Tempsky’s life are detailed in a newly released report by historian Vincent O’Malley, revealing some of the more confronting aspects of the solider and adventurer’s life.
O’Malley’s report was commissioned by Waikato-Tainui and Hamilton City Council to inform debate around the appropriateness of some street and city names.
Pratt-Rink has done her own research into von Tempsky, curious as to why her street carries the Prussian’s name.
‘‘There are a lot of rumours about him, probably because finding information on him is so difficult. From what I’ve found out, he was a pretty mean guy,’’ she said.
Hamilton Mayor Paula Southgate said O’Malley’s 47-page report deserves to be widely read.
‘‘Von Tempsky in particular was a pretty nasty kind of gentleman and I hadn’t understood quite how much he had done,’’ Southgate said.
‘‘We have to acknowledge that bad things happened. We must ... not hide the history away in some dark place because these conversations won’t go away. They will continue to be raised until we have found some way to move forward and heal.’’
O’Malley’s report details von Tempsky’s involvement in the attack on Rangiaowhia, an open village, on
February 21, 1864. Most of the residents of Rangiaowhia were women, children and elderly men. British records say 12 Mãori were killed but unconfirmed estimates put the death toll at more than 100. Seven people died in a burning whare.
Pratt-Rink said it can only be a good thing for people to learn and discuss history and past figures.
‘‘I think if my street name offends somebody, then change it. We’ll probably still call our house the VT but I’m not worried at all if they change the street name.’’
The house sits on the site of a British fort – the Moule’s Redoubt – built by the 4th Waikato Militia Regiment in 1864.
‘‘What I get from our house is an amazing creative vibe,’’ Pratt-Rink said.
‘‘All these really talented artists have lived in this house over the years. By living here I hope I can tap into some of that legacy. If they ever decided to get rid of this house, I want everyone who’s ever lived here to come and have a class photo, just to celebrate what this house represents.’’
‘‘I think if my street name offends somebody, then change it’’ Hãana Pratt-Rink