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Mike King presents the story of Gustavus Von Tempsky: swashbuckling colonial soldier of fortune, "flamboyant folk hero" and "our first pin up boy". The Prussian-born artist, self-promoter, romantic and adventurer, led an elite unit - the Forest Rangers - in the 1860s New Zealand Wars, garbed in trademark Garibaldi shirt, kilt and calvary sabre. His bush-fighting skill attracted respect from Māori foes, who named him "manu rau" (many birds); but also controversy after an infamous raid. He met his demise fighting guerilla leader Titokowaru.
I came across Gustavus Ferdinand Von Tempsky in my reading about The New Zealand Wars and was struck by the way many history writers (or re-writers!) had so strongly condemned him. It was as if he had become the scapegoat of all the Pākehā guilt ...
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Bright Spark Television
Bright Spark Television
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Television, 2005 (Full Length)
A documentary on NZ vernacular also directed by John Milligan
Television, 1977 (Full Length Episode)
Landmark historical drama series about Governor Grey and colonial NZ
Television, 1998 (Excerpts)
Historian James Belich’s take on the New Zealand Wars
Television, 1998 (Excerpts)
Doco about the fighting in Taranaki
NZ ON SCREEN 2013
This website has been made with funding from NZ ON AIR ›
The synopsis and credits are included
Tony Robb
Posted at 11.03AM - 10.04.2013
Great Doco...Its about time Peter Jackson looked into this Incredible man,I hope to see some type of monument in Wellington one day...ALL Countries need Heroes,NZ has its First