Page 57 - 2020-ETEC-eBook

Major engagements were fought on the sandhills at the entrance to Ōpōtiki harbour; on the
western side of the Waioeka Straight where one of the few cavalry charges of the New Zealand wars
occurred at the mouth of the Waioeka Gorge; and at Maraetai in the gorge itself. This latter place
is now known as Oponae and across the river is the site of Te Kooti’s base which was captured by
the Government forces with severe casualties being inflicted on the defenders. A large church, just
completed by Te Kooti, was razed, a number of prisoners were shot on the side of the riverbed and
Te Kooti made one of his numerous escapes to fight again.
The decline of Whakatōhea as a tribe of influence could be said to have started when they
were decimated by the Ngāpuhi and Ngāti-Maru muskets in the 1820s. The confiscation of OPOTIKI - A BRIEF HISTORY
their land 40 years later was a bitter blow.
While all this military activity was going on, a township was beginning to grow adjacent
to the wharf, then near the present monument. A military garrison inevitably led to the
establishmnt of commercial activity and thus Ōpōtiki had its business origins.
Following the end of hostilities, the original inhabitants had their coastal lands confiscated
as punishment for their support for the rebellion.
However, after years of negotiation and a successful petition and compensation for the
confiscation of their lands the Whakatōhea Māori Trust Board was established. Today
Whakatōhea Māori Trust Board administration offices and board room are situated on St John
St at the junction with Elliott Street.
The Whakatōhea Māori Trust Board has a new vision. "Ko te kai hoki i Waiaua" - “To
be the food bowl that feed’s the world” This vision describes what the organisation will look
like in the future. It serves as a guiding beacon for the future of the organisation and which it
aspires to be.
Our Purpose is “Kia rangatira i ngā uri o te Whakatōhea” “To lift our nation, and to grow
and invest in the well-being of our people” The Whakatōhea Māori Trust Board exists to
improve the lives of its people through the six "50-year Strategic Goals". Culture, Health,
Education,Economics, social and Enviroment. The Board currently manages assets in shing,
dairyfarming, kiwifruit, forestry, property, aquaculture and social and health services.

GROWTH OF A COMMUNITY
When fighting ceased Ōpōtiki became a military settlement by Government policy. From
a strategic point of view it was necessary to establish a military presence in this isolated
area, but preferably without the expense of sustaining a standing force. So the soldiers
were given discharge and the land at the same time. Most of the settlers were from the 1st
Waikato Regiment. They received 50 acres as privates, 60 acres as corporals, and so on.
Development took place rapidly. The Ōpōtiki flats proved rich and productive and
in the 1870s maize, potatoes, wheat and cattle were being shipped to Auckland. The
Ōpōtiki Public School was opened in 1873, and in the same year a store was opened at
Te Kaha. In the town, a cordial factory commenced operations as did a bakehouse and a
brewery. Bricks for such buildings were made locally.
In 1882 the Armed Constabulary who had arrived in 1868, were transferred. Some of
these men too, remained in the district. One of them was the father of Dickson Savage, better
known as Dick Travis, V.C., New Zealand’s most highly decorated soldier of World War 1, and
an honoured son of Ōpōtiki. Farm development of Paerata and Waiotahi commenced in this
decade. In 1889 whiskey was selling here at six shillings a bottle, butter at five pence a pound
and eggs at 8 pence a dozen. Since then whiskey has increased exorbitantly in price!!
And so the community grew, with the good earth providing sustenance
for a swelling population which in 1998 stood at about 9600 in the County
which includes the township. Postal services started in 1901, the Hukutaia
soldier settlement was opened up in 1919, the district boasted a racecourse
which became an airfield. So in these and many other ways progress was seen.
Ōpōtiki’s history would fill volumes. Perhaps the foregoing will encourage visitors to look
around them with the realisation that stirring events have touched these placid surroundings in
years not so far distant, and visit our very interesting Museum in Church Street. 57