HISTORY OF THE AREA

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Maori History: There were many Pahs and Forts in the Marokopa district and there is still evidence of these sites. One of the bigger Pahs to be found was called Puketoa and this can be found on the property of Willisons farm. Other fortications can be found at the Marokopa Heads and at the old pahs of Tauhua and Heipipi, (Kawhia South, 1996). At different times of the seasons the Maori would come down to the Heads to catch shoals of Kahawai and these would be dried and taken back up the valley to their villages and pahs.

Story of the Ancient Shipwreck: A regular passenger and cargo service was maintained between Waitara and Marokopa for a number of years. This gave settlers a reasonable service, but rough seas often made the service unpredictable as most "bar" entrances are inaccessible in adverse weather. The boats used for this service were changed several times due to different Captains and sea conditions. A seasman by the name of Captain Williamson made this trip for many years in a vessel called "Dawn". However as time progressed the need for a bigger vessel became evident and this was when the "Albatross" took over from "Dawn". The Albatross was too big for Marokopa and the Captain realised this, but it was too late. In August 1916 he headed into Marokopa for the last time with a full load of freight, but it was to be a ill-fated trip as he was grounded on the bar and the Albatross became totally wrecked. The Anchor of the Albatross was found and it is now set at the entrance to the Marokopa river as a reminder to all of the unpredictability of the treacherous seas. Local families recovered the anchor of the Albatross and had it restored and it was set where it still is today.

European Settlers: The early Pioneers in the valley had to cut and burn many acres of bush, sow grass seed, build homes and fences and put stock on their land. To maintain a stock of stores and equipment they made use of the coastal shipping service and also they used pack horses when needed as communication was very difficult. The Marokopa peninsula was a thriving township, where the men would gather to meet the boats when they came in. The first Mission station was opened in Te Waitere in November 1934 by Rev. William Woon. Rev. Richard Taylor CMS also frequently visited the area on his travels throughout the North Island. Early Maori Settlers: The early Maori Settlers who were here before the Europeans came, lived very peacefully and only occasionally became involved in wars. They lived in many of the Pahs or Forts that were in the Marokopa area. The Maori who inhabited these Pahs and Forts supplemented their diet with the many seafoods and fish available from the sea. Flax was an abundant commodity and the Maori were able to use this for clothing, fishing lines and nets whenever the need was warranted. The Local Maori are members of the Ngati Te Kanawa tribe or Ngati Maniapoto Tribe. Industry: In 1905 the first shop appeared and it was when Jonathan Ltd of Kawhia opened a branch of his business at Marokopa. In 1907 Mr & Mrs J Williamson built a boardinghouse and shop and they sold it in 1910. In 1930 this shop was replaced in a different location and the first petrol pump was installed. This shop eventually closed in 1981 and had been run by the third generation of the Reeve (John and Ailsa Mitchell) family. Also in 1907 the first Post Office was opened in Marokopa and a Postmistress was assigned. This was moved in 1930 and was run in conjunction with the business operated by the Reeve family. A flaxmill was operated from 1900-1903 until this was destroyed by fire and the venture was moved up the coast to Hari Hari Station. The fibre was loaded onto waiting steamers and operated from their until its demise in 1908. In 1911 the Dairy Factory was opened and it operated until its closure in 1937. In the early days the Marokopa cream was brought up the river by launch from the township. Many businesses and industries were taken over by next generation in families until they were closed.