Call for consultation over Hone Heke's remains

The final resting place of Hone Heke has yet to be determined. File photo / NZ Herald

Northland Maori leaders are calling for all Ngapuhi to be involved in determining a final resting place for Hone Heke's bones.

The remains of the influential Ngapuhi leader were this morning removed from a cave on the outskirts of Pakaraka, near Paihia, this morning.

The bones of Heke, who famously cut down the flag pole in Kororareka four times as a protest against British colonialism, have had to be relocated due to developments encroaching on his burial plot.

David Rankin, the leader of Ngapuhi's Matarahurahu hapu, uplifted the bones of his ancestor at dawn. The bones, wrapped in flax and accompanied by Heke's taonga (treasured possessions), were carried to the church at Pakaraka, which was built by Heke's friend, missionary Henry Williams.

"Hone Heke is one of our most prominent ancestors and is a major personality in New Zealand history," Mr Rankin said. "We have an obligation to ensure his remains are protected".

A blessing of the remains of the Ngapuhi warrior was given at the church by the Anglican Bishop of Te Tai Tokerau, Te Kitohi Pikaahu, before they were taken to a temporary location in Kaikohe.

Te Runanga-a-Iwi o Ngapuhi chairman Raniera Tau is calling for all Ngapuhi to be involved in determining a final resting place for Heke's remains.

Mr Tau said he expected many Ngapuhi would welcome a hui on the matter and will work with kaumatua and kuia to bring that meeting to fruition.

"This is not the first time Heke's bones have been moved, but I want to ensure it's the last time they have to be relocated," said Mr Tau.

"Heke is a prominent chief of Ngapuhi and we need to treat his remains with that in mind.

"Ngapuhi has borne the brunt of some distasteful experiences through the removal of remains from Waimamaku, the Hokianga and Mataraua whereby our ancestors have ended up as trophies on someone's mantelpiece overseas or worse still, in the dungeon of the Auckland museum.

"While the practice may have ceased, the trade in human remains is still alive overseas."