Waharoa

The Kororareka Russell Waharoa offers a proud welcome to all our visitors, celebrating our dual heritage, our rich maritime history, and our commitment to the future.

The carvings skillfully reflect both Māori and Pākehā interests, relating to the past, the present, and the future. They acknowledge tūpuna, whakapapa, kaitiakitanga, whānau, and wairua. The Wheku or face on the top of the Waharoa invites you to remember the many important chiefs and their people who lived in Kororareka over the centuries and those who came and went from this remarkable meeting place. These warriors, leaders, and traders were deeply involved in the Maori economy and society across Northland and beyond before Pakeha arrived. They would meet here to listen to each other, to observe the change and to speak of important matters.

After the Pakeha arrived but long before Te Tiriti of Waitangi was signed in 1840, these Kororareka chiefs and their people were actively engaged economically and socially with the settlers, sometimes offering protection, trading goods and services, socializing and sharing stories. At this time Kororareka was the leading economic and social hub of Aotearoa and those shared activities are reflected in the carvings.

As you walk through the gateway, we invite you to remember how central Kororareka was to New Zealand’s early history and the long-held commitment of the original people of Kororareka, to Kotahitanga/unity and Hohouterongo/peace – living and working together side by side. This remains an important aspiration for the people of Kororareka and of New Zealand today and into the future.

Taki

The Taki looks out to sea to greet you as you approach Kororareka, Russell.

Offering a challenge to our manuhiri or visitors as they arrive in our historic town, asking: ‘Do you come with good intentions?’ Welcoming you to our whenua but challenging you to please respect our land, our ocean, and the people of the North. It reminds us of the proud Māori history of this meeting place that thrived for hundreds of years and long before the Treaty of Waitangi was signed in 1840. It continues to thrive today. Raising its taiaha to offer the greeting and challenge, while behind his back its patu or club ready to defend what is important, if required. The Taki has beautiful detail carved into the spear of its taiaha including the wings and feathers of the Kororā, the little Blue Penguin after which our town is named. Looking down to the Marae to acknowledge and remember the tupuna of Kororareka. We hope it will give those who see it a chance to reflect on the challenges we all face in our own personal daily lives as we look back to our history and look forward to building a shared and inclusive future together.