Karaka Bay (Auckland)
 | This article, Karaka Bay (Auckland), has recently been created via the Articles for creation process. Please check to see if the reviewer has accidentally left this template after accepting the draft and take appropriate action as necessary.
Reviewer tools: Inform author |
Karaka Bay or Waiarohe ('the bay of shimmering waters') is the northernmost bay on the western shore of the Tāmaki River estuary in the suburb of Glendowie, Auckland. The bay is bordered to the north by West Tamaki Head and looks out to the islands of the eastern Waitematā Harbour: Rangitoto, Motutapu, Browns Island (Motukorea), Motuihe and Waiheke as well as to Musick Point on the other side of the estuary. It is accessed by boat or by a steep path that winds down the hill from the end of Peacock Street; there is no road access to the bay itself.
History
According to an account given by chief Maihi Te Kampu Te Hinaki to George Graham, the Tainui canoe moored at Waiarohe and many crew members settled in the area. There was once a Māori Pā (fortified site) known as Taurere (also the name of nearby Taylors Hill) at the top of the bay, towards its south end, and many historical artefacts and evidence of habitation have been discovered. [1]
The bay was thought to be the site of the last battle fought in Auckland when, in 1827, the Ngapuhi tribe was defeated by Ngati Tipa of Waikato with help from Ngāti Pāoa and Ngāti Maru refugees using the manu-kawhaki ambuscade. [2]
The Treaty of Waitangi was signed at Karaka Bay on March 4th, 1840[3] by 17 chiefs, mostly from Ngāti Pāoa and Ngāti Maru. Captain David Rough, Auckland's first harbour master, described the event: "The Union Jack was hoisted and the Treaty of Waitangi spread out for signatures on a table at which stood His Excellency, and behind him mounted police in their showy uniform. The sun shone brightly and the gathering of natives (Māori) clad in their mats, the canoes drawn up on the white sandy, the cutter at anchor, and the small group of Europeans beside the flag, in front of the pine trees trees on the slope of the hills behind, formed a very picturesque and striking scene"[1]
In 1925 a 1.9-metre (6 ft 2 in) leopard that had escaped from the Auckland Zoo three weeks earlier was found dead in the Tamaki river by a fishing party in Karaka Bay.[4]
In 1953 a drinking fountain and seat was erected by the City Council just off the path to commemorate the signing of the Treaty.
References
- ^ a b Elizabeth T. Jackson (1976). Delving Into The Past of Auckland’s Eastern Suburbs: Section 7 Glendowie. Auckland, N.Z.
- ^ Elizabeth T. Jackson (1976). Delving Into The Past of Auckland’s Eastern Suburbs: Section 1 From Ancient Times to 1842. Auckland, N.Z.
- ^ 'Karaka Bay signing, 4 March 1840', URL: https://nzhistory.govt.nz/politics/treaty/location/karaka-bay/4-march-1840, (Ministry for Culture and Heritage), updated 30-Jun-2016
- ^ "An Inglorious End". Auckland Star. Vol. LVI, issue 241, 12 Oct 1925, p 10. (Papers Past)