Queen's Service Medal to local LDS History Enthusiast
The recognition, which came 2 June 2008 in the Queen's Birthday Honours list. The award marked more than 20 years she has spent tirelessly recording the early history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in New Zealand, particularly as it related to Maori members. As is the custom, she was recommended for the award by the Member of Parliament for her area – in this case Hamilton MP Martin Gallagher - who praised her efforts highly. The nomination was supported by Tainui Stephens of Pito One Productions who had been enthralled by the richness of the material Rangi Parker had gathered. But probably the biggest seal of approval came from visiting Apostle Elder Dallin H. Oakes (pictured on right next to Rangi Parker). Elder Oakes said that for most of his 24 years of service in the Quorum of the 12 he had been closely associated with the Church History Department and therefore had an appreciation for and occasional need to use such histories. He said he had a vital interest in encouraging this work. It thrilled him to see what Rangi Parker had done and he described her efforts as a role model for honouring pioneers around the world. Describing the data collection as a mammoth task, he said, “Thankfully the Lord does work through people like Rangi Parker who is anxiously engaged in this work of her own free will. This is His work, I testify of that.” Mr Gallagher said, “I think Rangi's work is a wonderful gift or ‘taonga' to not just the LDS community, but also a huge treasure for the Tainui people as well. “It's a wonderful documentation of a very important part of Waikato's and in fact New Zealand 's history. I think it is very fitting that one of the Apostles should be here today. “I think that is a great honour for us as a community, but I think it does also underscore the importance of this particular and wonderful treasure. It is extremely important in my view that the city as a whole recognises this treasure and I certainly acknowledge Rangi and those who work with her.” Mr Stephens said he first met Rangi Parker when she became involved in a television production with him, but later he realised there were hidden depths to her when she introduced him to her researches. “Her collection and annotation of the work of early Mormon missionaries to record the lives of the Maori they had met was tremendously impressive. I shall never forget one night at her home when she showed me portions of the vast work she had then just undertaken. “It was a moving experience to see photographs and amateur movie footage of Maori of previous eras. It was clear that the Mormons had access to the latest technology of the times: cameras and tape recorders. They captured images and sound at a period when others could not. It was also clear that they moved amongst the ordinary folk of Maoridom – not amongst the leaders or the famous. The resulting work then, is hugely important for its honest historicity. There is no other comparable archive.” Mr Stephens said the history of the country could not be told by official sources alone. “We need the unsolicited efforts of the private citizen who is inspired only by the love of recording the way we were. Their vital endeavours point (as always) to the way we could be.” * Members and non-members alike can see some of Rangi Parker's records on display at the Hamilton , New Zealand Temple Visitors' Centre.
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Historian Rangi Parker has been awarded the Queen's Service Medal for her historical research in New Zealand . 