Whareroa Farm history starts talks
Whareroa Farm is the first topic for Kapiti Historical Society’s opening session of the year.
Ann Evans will be the speaker looking the history of the farm and how it has developed since the Department of Conservation (DoC) took it over in 2005.
“I will cover the history of the farm and the more recent restoration projects.
“I have quite a lot of background information from John Porter and the various archaeological studies that were done for DoC and NZ Transport Agency.”
Ann was involved in the formation of the Whareroa Guardians in 2003 to stop the area being sold to private developers.
Since then she has been a key figure in co-ordinating the work of more than 50 volunteers in planting sessions, track development and other activities within the reserve.
The talk is on Tuesday, February 25 from 7.30pm at the Kapiti Uniting Church in Raumati Beach.
The society meets monthly on a Tuesday evening and a number of speakers have been confirmed from March on.
Professor Mark Dickson will put the evolution of the Ka¯ piti coastline in a global and national context when he speaks on March 31.
Before Anzac Day in April, Roger Childs will address the issue of whether the disastrous 1915 Gallipoli campaign helped build the country’s national identity in a talk labelled ‘Gallipoli — Myth and Reality’.
Sir Kim Workman will address the group in May, and in his words, will talk about his connections with the
Ka¯ piti Coast.
“Through firstly, my Ngai Tara whakapapa, the earliest iwi to live in the Ka¯ piti area, and secondly through my great-great-grandfather, Scottish whaler John Stanton Workman, who first arrived in Aotearoa in 1834, and whaled at Tokoma¯ puna Island from 1840.
“I would then share the experience of growing up in a mixed descent wha¯ nau, with a Ma¯ ori father and a Pa¯ keha¯ mother, and the influence of my tipuna, on my life.”
Other speakers later in the year will include Bruce Taylor on the history of the Wellington-Manawatu¯ railway links, Hari Jackson, David Hadfield and John Robinson.
All are welcome for just a gold coin koha. A light supper will be served following the talk. For more information contact Roger Childs at pamandroger.childs@gmail. com.