Community Contributed

Kenakena Pa, Waikanae

Although this is the name of a trig station near the old mouth of the Waikanae River and a nearby cultivation ground it was also the name of the whole projecting foreland extending seaward and formed by the lower course of the river crossing the flat land to the sea.

Commenting on the origin of this name, Adkin has the following to say: "Kenakena. in the language of Williams' dictionary, is the name for 'Pomum Adamii, the prominence at the front of the neck'. At first glance, and to one unfamiliar with the contours and topography of the locality, this word would probably convey nothing relevant. On the spot, however, it is at once seen to be entirely applicable. Viewed from a suitable vantage-point such as the summit of Paekakariki Hill, the resemblance of this coastal foreland in its relation to the general grand sweep of the coast to that particular part of the human anatomy (when it occurs) is amusingly exact -so obvious indeed that it is perhaps hardly surprising that the simile presented itself to the naturalistic mind of bygone maoridom."

At the time of the Ngati Toa arrival in this district Kenakena was used by that tribe as a temporary settlement and at times a place of refuge. For a short time it was occupied by the Ngati Whakatere of Ngati Raukawa. according to land court evidence it was part of a tract of land said to have been given to Te Haukaione of Ngati Kaitangata by Te Pehi and Te Rangihiroa of Ngati Toa Tamihana , Te Karu of Ngati Kaitangata claimed that his parents once cultivated there not long after their arrival from Taranaki. (Ngarara 1887.) Kenakena was also the site, until 1848. of the main Waikanae pa and was mentioned several times in land court evidence as an important boundary of Ati Awa tribal lands.

Rapakapatohea. When Hira te Aratangata of Ngati Toa was asked at the 1890 hearing of Ngarara if he knew the name of the pa at Kenakena he replied, "Rapakatohea, because they were on a rise and when they saw the enemy coming they all rushed down." This was a reference to the attack on Kenakena pa during the Haowhenua fighting, when a section of Ngati Toa under Te Hiko and others defended the pa against Ngati Raukawa's allies.

Carkeek, W.C The Kapiti Coast: Maori tribal history and place names of the Paekakariki - Otaki district. Wellington: A.H & A.W Reed, 1966

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