Historic reserve designation for Takapūneke

An exhibition at the Akaroa Museum and a blessing at the reserve on 5 February will commemorate the establishment of the Takapūneke Historic Reserve in Akaroa.

Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker, who announced the Council’s intention to change the designation of Takapūneke to reserve land last Waitangi Day, will speak at the blessing ceremony. He will be joined by George Tikao, Chairman of Ōnuku Rūnanga.

Takapūneke, also known as Greens Point, is the site of deep cultural significance for local iwi. It was here in 1830 that chief Ngāi Tahu ariki Te Maiharanui was captured by a rival iwi and 150 of his people were killed in the ensuing massacre. Te Maiharanui and his wife were taken to Wellington where they were killed.

These events at Takapūneke was the catalyst that led to the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi. Ōnuku, near Takapūneke, was the first of the three locations in the South Island where Te Tiriti o Waitangi was signed. Ōnuku Marae was also the site where in 1998, the Crown Apology was presented to Ngāi Tahu in the final stage in the settlement of Te Kerēme (the Ngāi Tahu Claim).

Takapūneke also includes the Britomart Memorial which is located in one corner of the site. It commemorates the raising of the British flag and the time when a court of law in 1840 was held on the site to demonstrate British sovereignty.

"We have completed an important step of the process to preserve and protect this site for future generations,'' says Mr Parker. “The events at Takapūneke are central to the story of how this nation of ours has evolved.’’

The Council is working on completing a conservation plan for the Takapūneke Historic Reserve by October this year, and a management plan is expected to be in place by 2012, he says.
The blessing will take place at 10am on Beach Road on 5 February,

Ngā Roimata o Takapūneke – Tears of Takapūneke at the Akaroa Museum commemorates the new reserve by telling the story of the massacre through images, texts and audio interviews. Ngā Roimata is a dual reference to both Ngā Roimata, the daughter of Te Maiharanui and the tragedy of the massacre.

An Akaroa taonga associated with the tragic events will be the highlight of the exhibition. The Kataore mere - a short, flat weapon made of greenstone and said to be owned by a chief killed during the massacre - is on loan to Akaroa Museum from the Auckland Museum until after Waitangi Day.

The exhibition runs from 5 February through to 3 May.

The Ōnuku Rūnanga will also commemorate Waitangi Day at the Ōnuku Marae from 9am on 6 February.

Christchurch City Council website - http://www.ccc.govt.nz/