Hone Heke’s bones removed this morning

At dawn this morning, David Rankin – leader of Ngapuhi’s Matarahurahu’s hapu – uplifted the bones of his ancestor, Hone Heke, from a cave on the outskirts of Pakaraka.

Wrapped in a traditional flax shroud, and accompanied by Heke’s taonga held by Mr Rankin, the bones were carried to the church at Pakaraka, which was built by Heke’s friend, the missionary Henry Williams.

A blessing of the remains of the famous nineteenth century Ngapuhi warrior and chief was then given at the church by the Anglican Bishop of Te Tai Tokerau, the Right Reverend Te Kitohi Pikaahu.

The bones were removed because they are adjacent to two areas where land development potentially threatens them. Mr Rankin has deposited the bones in a temporary location near Kaikohe in preparation for their reburial on Kaikohe Hill at a later date.

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

Among the taonga at this morning’s ceremony was the godstick used by Heke’s personal tohunga – Te Atua Wera – which has been present on every occasion in the last 160 years that Heke’s bones have been moved.

Mr Rankin also brought Heke’s personal axe, which is regarded as possessing the mana of the chief, and which has been passed down the whanau from Heke to the present generation.

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