Community Contributed

Karewarewa

Kete Horowhenua2020-03-23T16:57:19+00:00
Karewarewa. Wi Parata referred to this is a place which belonged to his ancestors, Rawiri Toko and Te Pono.

Parata also claimed that this was one of two places where Te Haukaione resided shortly after the gift of land in the Waikanae district by Te Pehi and Rangihiroa.

The exact location of Karewarewa is not known but according to Mere Pomare it was on the northern side of the Waikanae River.

She explained at the 1890 Land Court hearing that she had at one time worked part of Karewarewa.

She also described the place as a burial ground, and mentioned that Ihaia Paihia, his son and his wife were buried there as well as Mere's own mother, the famous chieftainess Te Rauoterangi, and a man named Rangihaeata (not the Ngati Toa chief who was buried at Paeroa Hill, Poroutawhao in 1855).

Some of Wi Parata's ancestors were buried at Karewarewa, and the Rev. Octavius Hadfield was said to have had a stable close to this place.

Mere Pomare emphasised that the place was very tapu and that therefore there were restrictions on the taking of flax and plants from the area.