New footpath a milestone for Taumatamakuku

If you’ve driven between Moerewa and Kawakawa you may have noticed the small settlement of approximately 50 houses ‘in between’ those two towns and just east of the freezing works. That’s Taumatamakuku. It’s a separate community with a distinct history and identity, which is why when a new footpath started construction there, the community reaction surprised council contractors.  

Ventia’s Contract Manager – FNDC South Maintenance Jamie Kitzen says this job was unlike any other because of how welcoming the locals were.

“On the Fridays we were on site, the residents would come together (bringing a plate each) to provide some kai and invite us to join in with the community lunches they hold for their whanaungatanga (relatives) to show us how much the work meant to them.”

Taumatamakuku borders State Highway 1 and is made up of three roads; Taumatamakuku Crescent, and two short cul-de-sacs that sprout out from the crescent. The new 460-metre-long footpath runs along Taumatamakuku Crescent, a loop road beginning and ending at the highway. The new footpath effectively encircles the whole community and took up to nine council contractors 35 days to complete.

Roddy Pihema, who was born and raised in Taumatamakuku, says the enthusiastic community reaction was not just about how the footpath will improve daily life in the community. Roddy, who is now a member of the Bay of Islands-Whangaroa Community Board representing Kawakawa-Moerewa Subdivision, says being located between Moerewa and Kawakawa has meant their settlement was viewed by past councils as an appendage of these towns, not as a community in its own right. “We sit alone” he says.

From 1947 until the late 1980s the area was under the jurisdiction of the Bay of Islands County Council. Roddy says during that time the community’s infrastructure and social needs were overlooked.

Roddy, who is 51, says the community has lobbied for a footpath since he was five years old. “This footpath [project] is huge for the community. It’s more than just a footpath, it runs deeper than that because of the time it’s taken to get it. It’s a big step for the community.”

Those living in Taumatamakuku have a special pride in being kaitiaki (guardians) of this place, because of the way it was formed. According to Roddy, when World War II ended, returned servicemen and people from across the district came for employment at the freezing works at the edge of Moerewa. With housing in short supply in Moerewa, workers lived in disused American army barracks and transit huts nearby. He says that in the 1950s, the Māori Affairs Department purchased some of the land and the ‘unofficial’ community grew.

The moko (grandchildren) of those who first settled what has now become Taumatamakuku are fiercely proud of their history. Roddy is one of those moko. He is also the chairperson of Taumatamakuku Hapori, a community group lobbying for further ‘placemaking’ improvements for the settlement.

The footpath is the first step in several placemaking projects on the table. With 93 cubic metres of concrete poured into it, this long path has begun a journey of recognition for the community.

“Our community is grateful to all those who have been a part of this journey.”

Taumatamakuku Community would like to thank:

• Ken Ross who helped developed the community plan.
• Barkers and Associates for their support.
• Taumatamakuku kaumatuatanga.
• Community representatives including Te Awe Koni, Rycharleen Barber, Joey Rapana, Papa Kak, the Harris whānau.
• Kōwhai (Deputy Mayor) Kelly Stratford.
• The Bay of Islands-Whangaroa Community Board.
• Special thanks to the late Hirini Manihera, who passed during the footpath project. A native tree will be planted as a living memorial to his aroha and support for the Taumatamakuku community. Other community members who have passed will be recognised during the tree planting ceremony.

Photo below - footpath construction crew with some of the Taumatamakuku community.

The 460-metre-long footpath runs along Taumatamakuku Crescent, effectively encircling the community.