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Reproduced from the Archaeological Assoc Newsletter 30(4) 1987. Tony Walton : NZ Historic Places Trust : Wellington
Maraekowhai is located at the confluence of the Wanganui and Ohura Rivers. The New Zealand Historic Places Trust became interested in the two niu poles (click to see photo)at Maraekowhai in the late 1960's. The land (Part Maraekowhai A3A5 Block, Block XI, Heao Survey District) is currently "protected private land for historic purposes" under the reserves act 1977, owned by Mr Owen Bunn and administered by the Dept of Conservation. This paper documents the history of Maraekowhai, and associated events on the upper Wanganui River, in the middle and late nineteenth century.
History
The history of Maraekowhai, in so far as it is recorded, goes back to the late 1850's when plans to build a flour mill on the site lead to fighting between two of the hapu resident in the vicinity. In about 1861 one of these hapu, Ngati Haua, settled at Maraekowhai and a flour mill was built soon after. This was either not used at all or had only a short working life as soon after it was built war came to the river. Many of the inhabitants of Maraekowhai became adherents of Pai Marire and niu poles were erected: one at the outbreak of the war in about 1864 and one when the fighting ended, probably between 1870-1873. In this period, from the early 1860's to the early 1880's, Maraekowhai was one of the more important settlements on the upper Wanganui River.
Maraekowhai was an important settlement in these decades because it was the usual residence of a noted chief : Mamaku, leader of Ngati Haua. Mamaku's career up to the early 1850's is described by Taylor (Journals 1833-73. Alexander Turnbull Library).
His death is recorded in the Wanganui Herald of 11th July 1887
To be continued...... Return to History Timeline or read more about Maraekowhai