Historic Places

It is important that we recount our historical places of importance, as it is an integral part of connecting to our past.

In māoridom it is called Tūrangawaewae.

It is one of the most well-known and powerful Māori concepts. Literally, tūranga (standing place), waewae (feet), it is often translated as ‘a place to stand’. Tūrangawaewae are places where we feel especially empowered and connected. 

These places are our foundation, our place in the world, our home.

Any corrections, additional information or pictures relevant to this page are welcome and can be submitted to myself, or through the website contacts in the sidebar. Accreditation is given, where applicable. Many thanks to all those who have contributed. 

Merv Priestley email

Hokianga, Northland, New Zealand

The Hokianga is an area surrounding the Hokianga Harbour, also known as the Hokianga River, a long estuarine drowned valley on the west coast in the north of the North Island of New Zealand.

Our Beazley roots are deeply entrenched in the Hokianga due to our rich maori maternal ancestry in the area.

A Short History of Hokianga

HOKIANGA was first discovered by the polynesian navigator, Kupe, who after landing at the North Cape, is believed to have circumnavigated both islands, returned to the Hokianga, then took his final departure to his home in the south sea islands. Kupe's visit to the Hokianga is evidenced by his ovens in the rocks at Piriparia, his anchor in the Narrows, and his dog turned into stone at Opara.

This visit appears to have occurred about the year 940 A.D. Hokianga's proper name was Hokianga-a-nui-Kupe, and could signify "the returning place of Kupe".

The great migration of islanders from polynesia to New Zealand took place about the year 1350 A.D., with one of the great canoes, Toki-mata-whao-rua, headed by Nukutawhiti, making landfall at Whanui, Hokianga.

Nukutawhiti was reputed to have lived for some time at Pouaki.

It is believed the first Europeans arrived in the Hokianga about the year 1800, these consisting mainly of sailors and sawyers.

Samuel Marsden, accompanied by William Puckey and Thomas Kendall, three Maori Chiefs (one of whom was a son of Hongi) and six Maoris as bearers, travelled to Taheke by waterway from the Hokianga harbour in September 1819.

The main Wesleyan Mission was established at Mangungu, where the first church was built in 1826. A branch of this mission was also established at Waima, near the site of the famed Mission Oak, planted in 1839 by Missionary William Warren.

A Roman Catholic Mission was founded at Purakau, assuming responsibility for the western portion of the Hokianga.

The first school in the area was established by the Methodist Mission, and was situated on property behind the Taheke Hotel.

The earliest traders were the masters of vessels who purchased kauri spars from the Maoris by barter. Their vessels lay in the Hokianga harbour for long periods during loading operations, and many were wrecked on the Hokianga bar.

Hokianga's earliest settlers began to arrive about 1835, travelling in the brig "Vision", which made many trips between the Hokianga and Sydney.

Up to 1876, there were no roads of any description in the Hokianga, all travel being by waterway.

The first Hokianga county election took place in 1876.

More Information - Wikipedia - Hokianga History

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Omanaia, Northland, New Zealand

Omanaia settlement is in the Hokianga area of Northland New Zealand.

It is on SH12, 18km east of Opononi and 34km west of Kaikohe

The Beazley whanau connection to Omanaia is through Alfred William Beazley (b.1881). He was born and raised here. And although he lived most of his adult life in Pakotai, when he passed away, he was buried back here.

How Omanaia was named

A Chief called Manaia sailed up the river Toukahawai. In the river stood an over-sized rock which is about 300 metres down from the present Marae. That rock is still there today. When Manaia got to this rock he decided to have lunch on it. In those days food meant to the Maoris an "Oa".

Since Manaia's visit, the district has been named Omanaia.

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Pakotai, Mangakahia, New Zealand

Pakotai is a locality in the Mangakahia River Valley of Northland, New Zealand.

Kaikohe is about 37 km to the north, and Maungatapere is about 34 km to the south east.

The Beazley whanau connection to Pakotai, Mangakahia is through Wana Kawhena (Ani) Pikari (b.1888) who married Alfred William Beazley. She was born in Maungakahia. Ani and Alfred built the family homestead (pictured above) and raised their children in Pakotai, and when she passed away, she was buried in Mangakahia.

A Short History of Mangakahia

The original settlers in Mangakahia were sub-tribes of Ngapuhi; Ngati Horohia, Ngati Toki and Kumutu. Settlements were established-above flood-lines along the Mangakahia and Opouteke Rivers.

The first European settlers in Pakotai were probably the wives of Te Hautakiri Kamariera Wharepapa and Wi Pou, two of Pakotai's chiefs. They were chosen to sail to England with a number of other chiefs from New Zealand in 1863 and were later presented to Queen Victoria.

Pou and Wharepapa met their brides there and returned home to the district with their families in 1864. Georgiana gave birth to a son in England and Elizabeth gave birth to a daughter at sea whilst the boat rounded Cape of Good Hope. Pou and Georgiana had one more child, .a daughter. Wharepapa and Elizabeth four more daughters. Consequently these would have been the first half caste children in the Mangakahia.

The first European settler to arrive from Waipu, about 1890, was Mr William Alison.