Key Takeaways:
- The Kororipo Pā Vesting Bill is set to be passed by Parliament, returning the historic site to Māori iwi Ngāpuhi after a 20-year quest.
- The site, located at Kerikeri Basin, is significant in New Zealand’s history as the place where modern New Zealand began and where Māori and Europeans first lived together.
- The return of the site is a major step towards Ngāpuhi’s long-stalled Treaty settlement and offers a glimmer of hope for the iwi’s future.
- The site will be managed by local hapū Ngāti Rēhia on behalf of Ngāpuhi, with the Department of Conservation continuing to work in partnership to achieve the iwi’s aspirations for the site.
- The return of the site is seen as a significant moment for Ngāpuhi and a chance to remember those who first called for its return.
Introduction to Kororipo Pā
Kororipo Pā, located at Kerikeri Basin, is one of New Zealand’s most historic sites. To the untrained eye, it may appear as a modest headland, but it holds great significance in the country’s history. The site is currently managed by the Department of Conservation, but the Kororipo Pā Vesting Bill, due for its third and final reading, will return it to Ngāpuhi. Local hapū Ngāti Rēhia will act as kaitiaki, or caretakers, on the iwi’s behalf. The return of the site is a major step towards Ngāpuhi’s long-stalled Treaty settlement and offers a glimmer of hope for the iwi’s future.
Historical Significance of Kororipo Pā
Kororipo Pā is associated with one ancestor in particular, Hongi Hika, and the Musket Wars of the 1820s. The site was a place of departure for Hongi Hika and later became a place of wānanga, or learning, where chiefs from across Ngāpuhi would gather to discuss important matters. The pā also provided protection to New Zealand’s first lasting European settlement, built at Hongi Hika’s invitation on the other side of Kerikeri Basin. The site is significant not only to Ngāpuhi but also to the country as a whole, as it marks the beginning of modern New Zealand. Heritage New Zealand Northland manager Bill Edwards notes that the first formal contact between Māori and the British Crown can be traced to Kororipo Pā, where a gathering of 13 rangatira penned a letter to King William IV in 1831.
The Journey to Return Kororipo Pā
The push to return Kororipo Pā to Ngāpuhi began 20 years ago with a hui at Whitiora Marae in Te Tii, north of Kerikeri. The hui resolved to seek the return of the pā to Ngāpuhi, with Ngāti Rēhia as the kaitiaki. Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Rēhia chairman Kipa Munro notes that it has been a long time coming, but the return of the site is a good start. Munro expects the formal handover, due to take place early next year, to be charged with emotion, as it will be a chance to remember those who first called for the pā’s return. The return of the site is also seen as a significant moment for Ngāpuhi, as it marks a major step towards the iwi’s long-stalled Treaty settlement.
Reaction to the Return of Kororipo Pā
The reaction to the return of Kororipo Pā has been overwhelmingly positive. Bill Edwards describes it as "utterly fantastic" and notes that it is about time. Treaty Negotiations Minister Paul Goldsmith has stated that the return of the site demonstrates the government’s commitment to a settlement with Ngāpuhi. The Department of Conservation has also welcomed the return of the site, with operations manager Bronwyn Bauer-Hunt noting that the department has been "incredibly privileged" to administer such an important cultural site. The department is leading a series of "muck-ins" to remove weeds and upgrade paths before the site is handed back to Ngāpuhi.
Future Plans for Kororipo Pā
The return of Kororipo Pā is seen as a significant moment for Ngāpuhi, and the iwi has big plans for the site. Ngāti Rēhia will work in partnership with the Department of Conservation to achieve the iwi’s aspirations for the site. The site will retain its historic reserve status, and public access will not be affected. The return of the site is also seen as a chance to remember those who first called for its return, and to honor their memory. As Kipa Munro notes, the return of the site is a good start, and it is hoped that it will set a precedent for other Ngāpuhi cultural sites. The future of Kororipo Pā looks bright, and it is expected to play an important role in the preservation of Ngāpuhi’s history and culture.