Ngapuhi Minds

 One of local shops in Moerewa has this mural on the front. I was unable to find out who painted it but the words "Ngati Hine Health Trust" are painted within it so maybe they have something to do with it. The trust was formed in 1987 to help address the health needs of local Maori to the area. The Ngapuhi tribe is associated with the Northland region of New Zealand centred mainly in Whangarei, Hokianga and the Bay of Islands.

So as Covid makes it's way continually around the world, the so called travel bubble we had going on with certain states in Australia seems to have blown up. One traveller, who apparently started feeling unwell on the plane over here from Sydney (I think) visited more than several places in Wellington (who is now in level 2) and now we are waiting to see if any cases come up. Somehow I don't think this so called travel bubble is a wise idea...

Linking up with Mural Monday.

Monument to Hone Heke

Last week we drove out to Kaikohe on one of those very blustery cold winter days and boy was it cold, we basically dodged the hail.  Anyway we decided to stop off at the Monument to Hone Heke (not the Hone Heke who was involved in the treaty of Waitangi - that was his great uncle) who was born in Kaikohe in 1869 and a direct descendant of Rahiri. He was closely affiliated with Ngapuhi and 5 other tribes.

The family and tribal home was also in Kaikohe and he attended Oromahoe and Kawakawa native schools.  After showing early promise his family sent him to St Stephen's in Parnell, Auckland. After leaving school he worked for a while driving a bullock team operating between Kaikohe and Haruru possibly for his father who owned a team of 12 bullocks.

In his youth Hone Heke became aware of the aspirations of Maori for unity and independance, initially expressed by the 1835 Confederation of the United Tribes of New Zealand. These ideas were expanded during the 1880s into the Kotahitanga movement, whose aims included control by Maori over Maori lands and a degree of influence in local government.

At the 2nd session of the Maori parliament in 1893 Hone Heke may have asked permission to speak with the assembly but because of his age he was refused.  Apparently he then addressed the people outside and when 2 of the Maori elders heard him they were impressed by his knowledge so he was asked to address the whole assembly and the whole evening was given to him.

The impact he made lead to his gaining and influential position in the movement. He worked tirelessly, travelling the country to gain support. Te Kotahitanga became the strongest unifying force between Maori and in his early 20s he was elected to the House of Representatives then further elected chairman of the Council of Paramount Chiefs.

He proved himself as a gifted speaker with an ability to state a case clearly and in an orderly fashion. In 1894 he introduced the Native Rights Bill into the house which asked for a constitution for Maori  with protection of their rights under the Treaty of Waitangi.

Throughout his parliamentary career Heke remained an advocate of legislative reform to improve conditions for Maori people and his impact in the house was huge. In 1909 around the age of 40 sadly he passed away from tuberculosis and 2 years later this memorial stone was unveiled on Kaikohe Hill. More information here.

Linking up with Our World Tuesday and My Corner of the World.

Autumn at The Stone Store

We were out and about this morning enjoying the fresh Autumn air, not too hot not too cold and I felt this shot expressed what an awesome view this is of the Kerikeri Stone Store, St James Church and the Kemp Mission House.

This is the location where missionaries James Kemp, Francis Hall and John Butler lived, taught and preached as well as farmed and gardened. According to Maori historians, Ngati Miru, the people who first lived in this area were attacked and driven away by a war party of Ngapuhi.

I hope you enjoy your weekend :-)

Historical Kororipo Pa

Near Kerikeri's Stone Store is this historic gem - the Kororipo pa site was once occupied by some of the Hongi Hika and Rewa's people (Ngapuhi) in the 1820s. This was once a stockaded fortress and used as a port to collect shellfish, seafood and a place to store  their canoes.

This area was previously occupied by another tribe called Ngati Miru until they were attacked by the Ngapuhi.

Kororipo - meaning Waha-o-teriri (mouth of war) is now under the protection of NZ's Department of Conservation and it is a popular tourist spot.

Hongi Hika and his people left Kerikeri for Whangaroa at the end of 1826 and after being hurt in battle in 1827 died in 1828. In 1830 Rewa and his people left Kerikeri to live at Russell then Kororipo became deserted. Rewa sold 7 acres to James Kemp in 1831 to become part of his farm and mission station and in 1838 the remaining 6 acres were also sold to James Kemp by Hongi's sons Hongi and and Puru. This 6 acres was gifted to the nation by E.S. Little in the 1950s.

Rangitahi Marae

This was another one of those places I got the other half to stop the car outside so I could take a better look. There was something about the field full of flowers in front of it with the Rangitahi Marae behind them that caught my attention.

Rangitahi Marae is located in Maraeroa on the Western Side of Horeke Road in the upper part of the Hokianga Harbour. It's main hapu are Te Ngahengahe, Ngati Toro and Te Popoto of the Ngapuhi confederation.

Linking up with Skywatch Friday.