When Marist priests arrived in Hawke's Bay in 1851, they settled at the Pakowhai Pa (and planted the first grapes in Hawke's Bay), and were under the protection of Chief Puhara. Early sketches of the pa appear to show a small chapel. Chief Puhara's brother-in-law, Chief Te Hapuku, apparently made use of the Marists to write letters in English which he could not write.
When hostilities broke out between Chief Te Hapuku and his rival Chief Te Moananui in 1857 after Te Hapuku took forbidden wood to build a pa at Whakatu the ensuing battles left the Pakowhai and Whakatu Pas in ruins, and deserted. The Marist Priests moved to Meeanee in 1858 after their chief ally and supporter, Puhara was killed in a battle in December, 1857. Father Reigner had purchased land in Meeanee in 1857 likely after sensing hostilities between Puhara, Hapuku and Te Moananui would mean a move from the area.
The Marist priests transferred their wine growing activities to their new site in Meeanee.
A major event in the life of the Mission Estate was in 1871, when Brother Cyprian arrived at Meeanee. He took their wine activities to a commercial footing.
The land at Meeanee was less than ideal however, and before the Tutaekuri River diversion, meant frequent flooding.
