Page 10 - Lifestyles in Palm Beach Gardenns - April '23

Page 10, Lifestyles in Palm Beach Gardens
Waitangi To Kerikeri: Where It All Began

Previously submitted by the By 1805, the Bay of
late Don Kiselewski, MCC, Islands had become a major
D.S., Palm Beach Gardens port for both whaling and
Travel Leaders sealing. Traffic in the bay
Unless you’re a student averaged 150 ships per year
of New Zealand history, it – approximately one every
is doubtful if you have ever other day. Axes were the
heard of either Waitangi or original unit of trade with the
Kerikeri. These two dots Europeans, but these were
on the map are located in soon replaced with muskets.
the Bay of Islands on the Now armed, the Māori could
far northwestern tip of the stand on their own when
North Island of New Zealand. As insignificant as these two conflicts erupted between
settlements may be in today’s scheme of things, it wasn’t them and seamen, whalers
always that way. and missionaries. Kororāreka,
Long before the European settlers arrived, the Ngāpuhi tribe across the bay from Waitangi, Māori waka (war canoe) on the beach at Waitangi in the Bay of Islands
gradually achieved dominance of the area around Waitangi. became known as the “Hell Photo by Don Kiselewski
The Ngāpuhi traced their roots to Chief Rāhiri, who had driven Hole of the Pacific.”
the former inhabitants, the Ngāti Awa tribe, from the area, In October of 1831, the first step in the process that placed In the next few days,
thus establishing the Ngāpuhi ascendancy. The Ngāti Awa New Zealand under British rule occurred. The action was the “Treaty of Waitangi”
tribe traced their ancestry back to Nukutawhiti, who came to prompted when the heavily armed French ship, La Favorite, was drafted and after a
Aotearoa (New Zealand) on the canoe Mamati from Hawaiki sailed into the harbor. The Māori quickly recalled their long night of discussion
(Hawaii). These are thought to be the first inhabitants of New encounter with the French and sought protection from the between the chiefs,
Zealand. English. A compelling letter to King William IV, prepared by it was signed Feb. 6,
Like many places in New Zealand, Waitangi has a long Reverend William Yates and signed by 13 Māori chiefs, asked 1840. Governor William
oral record of history, created by the inhabiting tribes. The the king to extend his protection to New Zealand. Hobson signed on behalf
name “Waitangi” comes from folklore and means “weeping The king acted in 1832, but not in a very forceful manner. of Queen Victoria. There
water.” Perhaps it was named for Haruru, the waterfall in the Intending to bring a sense of order to the area, James Busby were 46 chiefs present at
Waitangi River. was appointed by the crown to serve as the “British Resident” the signing in Waitangi,
The first known European to record his visit to the Bay of for New Zealand. The intent of the position was to settle the however missionaries
Islands was Captain James Cook. He wrote about the great nerves of the Māori and keep relations between the British carried the document
cape from his ship, the Endeavor, on the 27th of November, and Māori on an even keel. However, absolutely no authority around the country
1769. At the tip of the cape was Motu Kōkako, the pierced came with the title. Busby found himself as a mediator in gaining more than 500
rock or rock with a hole in it. He renamed the island, calling most situations and was able to gain the respect of the Māori signatures from other
the rock “Piercy Island,” and also named the cape after Sir and their support on most items. However, he was a long Māori leaders. The treaty
Piercy Brett, calling it Cape Brett. When Cook sailed away, his way from a judge and executioner, so some things still were made New Zealand a
log contained nothing but praise for the bay, and encouraged handled in a lawless manor. Interestingly, Busby’s home was Crown Colony and part Māori statue.
further use for shipping. prefabricated in Sydney, shipped across the Tasmania Sea and of the British empire. Photo by Don Kiselewski
Two years later, two French ships stumbled upon the islands set up at Waitangi. Wa it angi Da y,
in their journey from Mauritius to Tahiti. At first, all went well Busby’s main goal was to keep the British in proper “Takoto Te Pal, Takoto Te Pai,” is celebrated annually,
with the French and Māori encounter, however after a short political position to continue to take advantage of the whaling marking the signing of the treaty. The Great Māori war canoe,
period of time, numerous conflicts broke out and bloodshed and sealing activities in the bay. He had grandiose ideas for Ngātokimatawhaorua, is launched from Hobson’s Beach
followed. When establishing a city at Waitangi, which included a name change to mark the occasion. Hand carved from the kauri tree, the
the Mascarin of the area. The new city was to be called Victoria, with streets current canoe is 115 feet long and is propelled by 80 warriors.
and Marquis de named for both English and Māori heroes. Everything seemed Although the day is supposed to reflect harmony between the
Castries, sailed bright until Dec. 9, 1835, when a letter arrived from French British and the Māori, the celebration has become somewhat
out of the Bay of Baron Charles de Thierry in which he declared himself the of a lopsided affair with very few Māori showing up to
Islands on July “Sovereign Chief of New Zealand.” The letter also said that participate. Current feelings appear to be quite strained, with
12, 1772, it was he was sailing to the Bay of Islands to claim them. He had the Māori people feeling that they have come up on the short
without their purchased some 40,000 acres through an intermediary the end of the deal. This sounds similar to some of the treaties that
leader and 26 year before, which he was using as the basis for his claim. As we have made with our Native Americans.
of their seamen. a side note, the intermediary purchased the land for 36 axes, What is most impressive about the area is its freedom from
Ne edle ss t o and pocketed the Ɫ800 he was to use for the purchase. artificiality. No overcrowding, garish signs or other urban
say, the Māori Again, a Frenchman caused a reaction by the Māori. Busby clutter hampers the simple life of the residents. Don’t be
suffered much prepared a Declaration of Independence, which after much surprised if the local residents stop you on the street and start
greater losses controversy and discussion was signed in Waitangi on Oct. up a conversation. They love to talk to outsiders and make
because they 28, 1835. This was the second major step in the progression them feel welcome.
fought muskets toward the Treaty of Waitangi, Busby’s efforts in uniting the Plan to visit and sit a spell.
with their Māori into the United Tribes of New Zealand paid off, and The late Don Kiselewski wrote from his personal
wooden spears. Ngāpuhi Kaumatua Kingi Tairua looks on Baron de Thierry was unable to carry out his scheme. In the experiences, having traveled in 122 countries and cruised the
These conflicts as New Zealand Prime Minister John Key end, the Baron came to the island with 60 immigrants, but no oceans, seas and rivers of the world. Palm Beach Gardens
formed the basis is welcomed onto Te Tii Marae on Feb. 5, army. Travel Leaders, his family owned and operated agency, is
for later actions 2009 in Waitangi, New Zealand. Waitangi On Jan. 29, 1840, the British sign of military might sailed located at Mirasol Town Square, 11360 North Jog Road,
that led to the Day is the national day of New Zealand into the Bay of Islands. The 20-gunned frigate H.M.S. Herald, Building A, Suite 102-6, Palm Beach Gardens. The agency
British taking and a public holiday held on Feb. 6 each commanded by Admiral Sir Joseph Nias, had arrived to bring has been serving the travel needs of the South Florida area for
control of New year to celebrate the signing of the Treaty stability to New Zealand. Although all the Māori chiefs did not over a quarter of a century. Contact them at (561) 694-9696
Zealand. of Waitangi. Photo by Sandra Mu agree, the majority felt that England was now protecting them. or Aussie@PBGTravel.com.

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