(From left) Hōne Heke Pōkai and his wife Hariata, Te Ruki Kapiti and his son, Maihi Paraone Kapiti. 58th Foot Soldiers, Northern War.
|
|
I wanted to take a moment to reflect on this weekend’s commemoration at Kawiti Marae in Waiōmio, within the rohe of Ngāti Hine - often described as the “cradle” of Ngāti Hine - marking the battle of Te Ruapekapeka (10-11 January 1846). This gathering held great cultural significance for me. My ancestor, Edmund Woodward of the 58th (Rutlandshire) Regiment of Foot, served in this campaign. Crown forces - about 1,300-1,400 British Army soldiers and Royal Navy/Marine personnel fought alongside roughly 300-400 allied Māori under Tāmati Wāka Nene against the rangatira Te Ruki Kawiti of Ngāti Hine and Hōne Heke Pōkai in the final engagement of the Northern War. Te Ruapekapeka “the bat’s nest” was renowned for its innovative, bunker-like defences that reshaped pā warfare. As a Pākehā, I felt a warm welcome, tempered by an understandable but undeniable caution - a reminder of the complex histories we inherit. My sincere thanks to Kawiti Marae for their gracious manaakitanga, and to Pita Tipene and the Trust for the immense mahi behind such a meaningful occasion. I parked my old green motor caravan where I was told to, down there in the paddock on the left, through the gate, by the creek, where generations of tamariki have swum. From that lone vantage point, somewhat fitting for a descendant of a British soldier, I looked in toward the marae and out to the ancient limestone formations of Waiōmio. According to Ngāti Hine tradition, the ancestress Hineāmaru rests within this landscape among her descendants. This place is both deeply historical and profoundly living. For my whānau, Waiōmio is where our waka first made landfall - the first footfall of our ancestor in Aotearoa New Zealand, 180 years ago. E whakaae ana au, me te ngākau whakaiti me te whakaute, ki te hōhonutanga me te pūmau o te taonga tuku iho Māori. I hope to return for the next commemoration in five years’ time - If you’ll indulge me, please “keep the gate open” and let me park in the same spot. Ngā mihi nui for a memorable experience. Russell Carter - 12 January 2026. |
|
| Back to the top |
| Home | Timeline | Ancestors | Passenger Lists | Onehunga | Copleys of England | Links |
