Madam Butterfly

Family Fishing Tournament for boats under 8 metres!  $65.00 / $10 Juniors    Briefing 23.2. – Tournament over two days 24/25.2.

On this day in 1835 a declaration was signed by 34 chiefs at Waitangi, and later by 18 others, declaring the sovereignty and independence of the United Tribes of NZ.

In 1850 the famous Ngapuhi chief, Hone Heke, who had never formally made peace after the War in the North, died in Kaikohe.

On 1 July 1845, and after nearly a week of bombardment, the palisades of the strongly fortified pa at Ohaeawai were only partially breached. Colonel Despard, commander of the troops, was impatient for success and despatched 100 troops to storm the pa. The charge was a disaster; the British were defeated.

On this day in 1845 a detachment of British troops, supported by their Maori allies, sailed up the Waikare inlet to the pa of the Kapotai who had fought with Kawiti at Kororareka. While the British looted and burned the pa, their Maori allies fought a fierce battle with the Kapotai people who had retreated into the forest.

On this day in 1845 Hone Heke and Kawiti successfully resisted the attack by British troops on their strongly fortified pa at Puketutu, near Lake Omapere. THe British attempted the assault without the support of heavy guns.

Te Ruki Kawiti, the famous chief of the Ngati Hine hapu (sub-tribe) of the Ngapuhi tribe, died on this day in 1854.

25 Maori chiefs representing tribes of North Auckland, and their followers assembled at Waitangi to choose NZ’s first flag on this day in 1834. The flag flown on Te Maiki is the same as the one chosen in 1834.

Hone Heke felled the flagstaff on Maiki Hill for the fourth time while Kawiti and his warriors attacked the settlement of Kororareka. Most of the inhabitants were evacuated to Auckland and the town was sacked and burned. So began the War in the North.

Cycle race, four days starts Thursday, 15 March Whangarei via Dargaville, Opononi, Paihia, Russell to Whangarei. Leaves Russell early Sunday morning. Phone 09 470 3200.