Hidden history of Pakuranga

Sense Of History: Pita Turei of Owairoa Marae in Howick on Ohuiarangi (Pigeon Mountain) in Pakuranga. Picture / Richard Robinson

The well-heeled Manukau City suburb of Pakuranga is about to be offered a glimpse of its past in the form of a Hikoi Pakuranga, or Pakuranga Walk.

It is a reminder that in centuries past it was also richly peopled. Or in the words of local kaumatua Pita Turei of the Owairoa Marae in Howick: "The Tamaki River has been our State Highway 1 for a thousand years."

The extensive modern housing now running inland from the Tamaki River is largely occupied by arrivals, from elsewhere in the country and many diverse countries from Europe to Asia.

It is said the number of Maori now living in the wealthy Howick-Pakuranga area could be counted on the fingers of the hands.

Only 50 or 60 years ago most of Pakuranga was farmland. A few houses along the river and nothing between Panmure and Howick and the little settlements of Buckland and Eastern Beaches.

The idea behind the walks each Monday is to promote understanding of local iwi and earlier history.

It follows an arson attack at the Howick marae a year ago. There was also opposition in that area a few years ago to even using the word marae, which caused an investigation by the Race Relations Office.

On the arson, Pita Turei observes simply that "some people have difficulty confronting their shame".

But during an inaugural hikoi yesterday, arranged by the "te tuhi - the mark" community centre in Pakuranga, and Pita Turei of the Ngai Tai local sub-tribe, a group visited Pigeon Mountain near Half Moon Bay.

He touched on Maori customs and the Maori still buried on the hill, once called Ohuiarangi. And those whose bones were uncovered when quarrying greatly reduced the volcanic cone's bulk.

He described the river's use and the significance of areas on both sides of the river - and especially the vital Otahuhu canoe portage to the Manukau Harbour.

Pita Turei employs his knowledge with a light touch, inclined to drop in phrases like "About the time Francis Drake was finishing his game of bowls ... "

He says the three-hour hikoi (not all walking) is for anyone interested in local heritage.

* Hikoi Pakuranga has a koha of $40 that includes lunch (children and grandparents $10 each). Book at te tuhi - the mark. Phone 577 0138.