Introduction

In this book we hope to bring you an up to date document of our family tree. We urge each family to make a conscious effort to carry on this genealogical information for the benefit of future generations.

We have tried to make the presentation of this book as simple as possible, to encourage even the youngest of our children to read and enjoy it, as we hope they will.

This information could have been lost to us, but due to the dedication and devotion of a select few, we have succeeded in presenting to you all, a book of history and knowledge that can be shared with the whole

family for years to come. Our sincerest thanks to all who have contributed information, photographs and interesting anecdotes. Without your help our task would have been impossible.

Everyone, we presume, is aware of the large families which have stemmed down from Alfred and Ani Beazley and for this reason, it would be impossible to produce a book of this kind without errors and omissions

occurring. It is at this point in time that we apologise for any mistakes. Please note, however, with regard to information forwarded to us by individual families, what is written is what we were given.

Not what we give, but what we share, For the gift without the giver is bare.

SHORT HISTORY OF EARLY 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, traveled to Taheke by waterway from the Hokianga harbour in September 1819.

The early missionary groups established themselves in the Hokianga in the 1920's.

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 vesselsr 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.

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.

SHORT HISTORY OF EARLY UPPER MANGAKAHIA

The original settlers 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 HautakiriKamariera 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. Georgina 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 Georgina 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.

Much of Upper Mangakahia history surrounds the church. On their return -

from England in 1864, Reihana Te Tau Kawau and Te Hau Takiri Kamariera Wharepapa were responsible for converting their people to christianity,

under a promise to a generous Lady who financed their return passages home. -

With part of the finance given by Miss Dorothea Weale and by digging for

gum to raise the balance of finance, "Te Hepara Pai" was erected. Noted to be the first inland church in New Zealand, it was dedicated by Bishop Cowie shortly after his arrival in the country. between 1868-1869.

The building was razed to the ground by fire in the summer of 1920.

The next church built for the people, "All Saints" situated at Nukutawhiti, was completed and dedicated by the late Bishop of Aotearoa, Y.A. Bennett

on 13 May 1934.

The first known Post Office in the area was established on 1 June 1879. It closed on 31 December 1888 and later re-opened at Te Oruoru on 1 February 1893. On 15 March 1898 its doors closed once again and it was not until

1 January 1907 that it re-opened for a further six months before finally closing on 1 June 1907.

The first resident store was owned by King and Wharepapa at the Te Oruoru village.