Wiremu - The History of Kirikiriroa
Stories about our place: Turangawaewae
How to impart these stories to our children, giving our Hapu a
real sense of place. This is Wiremu's passion. He is a researcher
at Waikato University.
One of the main reasons people first settled in Kirikiriroa was because of the fertile land.
"I cross the smooth belly of Kirikiriroa. It's gardens bursting with the fullness of good things" - it is thought, this is where 'Garden place' gets its name from as this site was on the riverside near Garden Place.
Near Grey street, there was a burial site.
Kirikiriroa means a gravel patch, the soil is good which is where Kirikiriroa gets its name from.
Kirikiriroa pa site is on the river on the shop side where the land wars happened, Governor Grey declared war on Māori on 13th July 1863. Kirikiriroa lost the most land in Aotearoa. The lands by the Pa were confiscated in 1863, Māori took their Pa to Hukanui where it still stands to this day.
Five Cross Roads - used to be a large Kahikatea forest. It was a primary source of food.
Toki taputapu - Greenstone
This is the largest greenstone measuring over 68.8 cm in length, it was discovered near the Fairfield Bridge in 1924 which now resides in the Auckland Museum.
Most Pa are built on headlands because of the steepness of the sight, also springs flow.
There were thermal springs near Kirikiriroa Pa. They are still underground and active today.
Traditional food gathered around our surroundings: Koroi - Kahikatea berries, Tawa and Hinau, these were soaked in baskets in fresh flowing streams in order to remove toxins.
Harakeke (flaxes) - nectar gathered from flax, it is also an invaluable source of fibre material vital for everyday domestic uses. Tikouka, Mauku and Tipore - The roots of these trees were baked in large Umu for up to three days. The Tipore was grown in order to provide a sweetener Its fibre was pounded and juice extracted. Pikopiko - could be likened to asparagus.
One of the main reasons people first settled in Kirikiriroa was because of the fertile land.
"I cross the smooth belly of Kirikiriroa. It's gardens bursting with the fullness of good things" - it is thought, this is where 'Garden place' gets its name from as this site was on the riverside near Garden Place.
Near Grey street, there was a burial site.
Kirikiriroa means a gravel patch, the soil is good which is where Kirikiriroa gets its name from.
Kirikiriroa pa site is on the river on the shop side where the land wars happened, Governor Grey declared war on Māori on 13th July 1863. Kirikiriroa lost the most land in Aotearoa. The lands by the Pa were confiscated in 1863, Māori took their Pa to Hukanui where it still stands to this day.
Five Cross Roads - used to be a large Kahikatea forest. It was a primary source of food.
Toki taputapu - Greenstone
This is the largest greenstone measuring over 68.8 cm in length, it was discovered near the Fairfield Bridge in 1924 which now resides in the Auckland Museum.
Most Pa are built on headlands because of the steepness of the sight, also springs flow.
There were thermal springs near Kirikiriroa Pa. They are still underground and active today.
Traditional food gathered around our surroundings: Koroi - Kahikatea berries, Tawa and Hinau, these were soaked in baskets in fresh flowing streams in order to remove toxins.
Harakeke (flaxes) - nectar gathered from flax, it is also an invaluable source of fibre material vital for everyday domestic uses. Tikouka, Mauku and Tipore - The roots of these trees were baked in large Umu for up to three days. The Tipore was grown in order to provide a sweetener Its fibre was pounded and juice extracted. Pikopiko - could be likened to asparagus.
The term 'Hangi' wasn't traditionally used,' Umu' was used, the
word Hangi is a new term which means 'cooked'. There are different types
of umu as well, there are connections between our Pacifika neighbours.
Maeroa gets its name from its freshwater springs.
Maeroa gets its name from its freshwater springs.
