Call to move Auckland holiday to ‘true founding day’
Auckland Anniversary Day recalls a ship dropping anchor in Russell, but the real founding story is one of prophecies, rivalries and alliances, writes Jonathan Killick – and should be celebrated today.
Central Auckland tangata whenua Ngā ti Whā tua O¯ rā kei is calling for the city to recognise the true founding story of Tā maki Makaurau that has been seemingly forgotten over the past 200 years.
The iwi wants Auckland Anniversary Day public holiday to be shifted to September 18 to mark the partnership entered into between LieutenantGovernor William Hobson and chief Ahipai Te Kawau.
The current anniversary in January marks the day Hobson dropped anchor in KororarekaRussell, holding little significance for the city, trust chair Marama Royal said.
‘‘Most people have no idea of the real founding of Auckland, instead linking it back to land speculators like Logan
Campbell,’’ Royal said.
‘‘The origins actually come from an enduring partnership between Ngā ti Whā tua and the Crown, underpinned by obligations and responsibilities to each other.’’
According to cultural advisor Joe Pihema, the historical backdrop to the founding of the city was one of bloodshed and upheaval.
He said the introduction of guns to New Zealand in the hands of rivals Ngā Puhi had destabilised the entire North Island.
Te Kawau and his people and been forced to flee their homeland, taking refuge in
Waitā kere and Mahurangi, only returning a decade later once the balance of power had been restored.
In 1840 Apihai Te Kawau was among the chiefs that signed Te
Tiriti o Waitangi on the banks of the Manukau Harbour. That same year he sought to cement his people’s future, taking a calculated risk.
A major hui was called between all the chiefs of Ngā ti Whā tua.
‘‘There, a tohunga fell into a trance and uttered a prophecy which spoke of an authoritative wind from the north, a nautilus shell washing on the shores and an ornately carved pou,’’ Pihema said.
The foretold authority was the Crown, then based in the Bay of
Islands, which would come ashore on ships. Te Kawau sent an envoy to Governor Hobson inviting him to create a settlement on the Waitematā .
It was hoped that Pā kehā would bring trading opportunities and an alliance which would ward off rival iwi.
There was much discussion on the siting of the new settlement. Surveyor-General Felton Matthew initially inspected Hobsonville, which was
Governor Hobson’s first choice, and then the Panmure Basin.
Ultimately the Crown was
‘It’s mainly the yachties that want to get out on the water. But for most people it’s just about kicking back with a cold drink, and they thank the Government for the day off. What if we could add an authentic conversation about how this partnership can move forward for the benefit of all Aucklanders?’ JOE PIHEMA
granted a 3000-acre triangleshaped land block, spanning from Parnell to Mt Eden and over to Cox’s Creek.
At 12.30pm on September 18, 1840, a flag ascended at Point Britomart and the firing of cannons signalled the founding of a new settlement.
That day there was no way that Te Kawau could have predicted the sprawling metropolis that would emerge from Tā maki Makaurau, Pihema said.
But, Pihema said the landed was not ‘‘gifted’’, it was lent under the principles of ‘‘tuku whenua’’, for the purpose of ‘‘an enduring relationship to be mutually beneficial for both parties’’.
‘‘Te Kawau was a leader willing to undertake an innovative strategy for the survival of his people. In that sense, it worked. Ngā ti Whā tua is still here, but that security came at a cost.
‘‘I don’t think he was fully cognisant of the capitalist ideology that was about to sweep through the whenua. He couldn’t have foretold that within 50 years, the Pā kehā population would outgrow Maori and that we would be a minority in our own home.’’
By 1900 there had been a complete cultural change with more than 100,000 non-Maori living in Auckland, and Ngā ti Whā tua would see its asset base eroded. Pihema said this founding story seemed to have been forgotten, and it was time that Aucklanders remembered so that they could strengthen their identity and connection with the city.
‘‘The tuku whenua offers an opportunity to remember that relationship and the principles of manaakitanga and to work together for the benefit of the people of Auckland.’’
Ngā ti Whā tua O¯ rā kei commemorated this year with ceremonies at Mt Eden, Parnell Cox’s Creek and Point Britomart.
Pihema encouraged Aucklanders to reflect by visiting the grave of Hobson on the corner of Karangahape Rd and Symonds St and to take a walk through the original block from Parnell to Cox’s Bay.
Ngā ti Whā tua has challenged Auckland Council to change Auckland Anniversary Day to September 18.
Mayor Phil Goff acknowledged the role Te Kawau had, but said it would be up to Auckland’s next mayor to usher change.
The council’s manager of governance services Rose
Leonard said ‘‘given that Anniversary Day is observed by other upper North Island regions, we would also expect to consult with other councils, and seek advice on whether legislative change is required’’.
Leonard said the council had not received any formal request from Ngā ti Whā tua.
Joe Pihema said the iwi was trying to have a ‘‘gentle conversation’’.
He acknowledged that having the public holiday in summer was nice, but said there was also an argument for spreading holidays out through the year.
‘‘It’s mainly the yachties that want to get out on the water. But for most people it’s just about kicking back with a cold drink, and they thank the Government for the day off.
‘‘What if we could add an authentic conversation about how this partnership can move forward for the benefit of all Aucklanders?’’