RANGIMOANA Taylor’s cousins used to get a whole orange for Christmas, which was a treat. Even though with his large extended family, the citrus would be shared.
And to get a whole box of chocolates was unheard of. The children instead got one or two and they’d need to make them last all day.
These are among the memories  that Taylor, Wellington storyteller, actor and teacher, will share at a Wellington City Mission fundraiser audience tonight.
The theme is My Christmas. It’s modelled on a storytelling format founded in New York in 1997 by novelist George Dawes Green in an effort to recreate porch storytelling sessions with his mates.
Six speakers, including Dame Kate Harcourt, Hilary Beaton and Gareth Farr, will each tell their Christmas tales.
“It’s about sharing and Christmas is about sharing. Hopefully the evening can become a regular occurrence on the Christmas calendar. I like the idea of giving and sometimes it’s not always money that’s needed. If each person gives of their talent then that’s your gift. It’s a gift that you’ve been given that you can share.”
He tells stories of when Christmas was magical and there were no adult responsibilities.
When it comes to talking, Taylor is world-renowned, having told stories of his Maori heritage internationally for more than 35 years. He especially remembers being guest of honour for the American Storytelling Conference, which he termed the biggest storytelling event in the world.
Taylor’s dad is Paheka and his mum’s Maori. He’s one of four children – his sister Riwia Brown wrote Once Were Warriors – who grew up in Mount Victoria for a time. While there wasn’t a huge amount of money around, he does not see himself as coming from a poor family because his was rich in experience.
And who wouldn’t want to have tales like these Taylor chuckles: the 50s were the heyday of the traditional homemade Christmas pud with the threepences thrown in to bring wealth to the person who found them..
“They’ll probably say you can’t do it now because you will poison the children.”
Taylor’s Christmas will probably be spent at Te Papa, his workplace – which he says hasn’t closed on that day in 14 years that it’s been open and gets about 2-3000 visitors through. He says they’ll put on a traditional Christmas spread and he’s very much looking forward to it.
My Christmas, Wellington Convention Centre, Ilott Theatre, December 8, 7.30pm.