The wee chap was only a couple of months old when the Undiegate scandal erupted. Tuku Morgan became a regular feature on television news and Jacqui noticed that...

        ".. every time he came on the monkey
           would go spare. He would talk to Tuku
           on screen and try to get to the TV.
           So I named him Tuko."

WHAT PRICE FAME?
Tuko (the monkey) loved to ride on Jacquie's dog, Rufus. This provided a photo opportunity for the local newspaper and a cute story for TV3 news. All was well in the zoo until one day a Herald photographer turned up. Jacquie recalls that as soon as the paper published a photograph of Tuko and Rufus...

          "All hell broke loose."

Tuku Morgan claims that his is a fourth-generation ancestral name. Under the headline "Tuku goes ape over name" the Herald reports Morgan's comments.

          "I am appalled someone would be so petty-minded
          they would denigrate an important ancestor of mine
          by giving his name to a monkey."

Apparently Tuku's name is derived from that of a revered tribal leader.

          "I am appalled by the callous disregard for
          this tribe's mana."

          "It is the height of cultural ignorance. People
          have to understand there is significance to
          Maori names. Once they understand that, this
          country will be a much better place to live in."

To be continued ...

YOU CAN SUPPORT TUKO
Jacqui Grant is selling "I SUPPORT TUKO" t-shirts for $30 each (incl p&p). Profits go towards upgrading Tuko's enclosure. If you'd like to support a good cause you can email Jacquie by clicking on the banner below, or send a cheque for $30 payable to:

ANOTHER TUKU?

The Wairarapa Times-Age (25 Jan) reports another monkey called Tuku. This one's made of solid stuff and doesn't appear to have attracted Mr Morgan's attention (yet).

Click on photo to open
story in a new window

© Pete Colvin, Wairarapa Times-Age