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Walks | From RussellRussell Waterfront | Kororareka Reserve | Fladgate Reserve

Te Maiki Hill (Flagstaff) Reserve

Te Maiki Hill (Flagstaff) Reserve

The Flagstaff reserve is the ultimate viewing spot of the whole Bay of Islands, high on Te Maiki hill near the geographic centre of the Bay. This location was the important signalling point in the early days and after the British colonials raised their flag on it the Maori chief, Hone Heke, cut down the pole and sacked the town.

Now you can enjoy the magnificent views, read the history inscribed at the base of the restored flagpole and pick out the locations around the bay from the giant mosaic sundial on the southern high-point across the carpark.

Short tracks lead down through regenerating bush to Titore Way on the north and to Wellington Street on the south.

Location, Grade and Duration

Location, Grade and Duration

This reserve can be approached directly from Tapeka Road (walk or catch the Russell Mini Tours bus next to the wharf), or from the top of Wellington Street or via the Kororareka Reserve track and Titore Way.

The carpark and paths to the Flagstaff and the sundial are all tarsealed. The tracks down from the carpark to Titore Way are easy grades and shoe-friendly. These tracks and paths are short.

Warning - Flagstaff and Tapeka Roads have no footpath and carry a lot of traffic. All other options are safer.

Restrictions

Restrictions

Dogs are not permitted in the reserve which is a habitat for kiwi and weka.

No fires either.

There are no changing facilities or toilets.
Interests

Interests

Weka may be heard calling during the day and kiwi and the NZ owl (ruru or morepork) at night.

Little kingfishers are often seen sitting on the power lines near the intersection of Titore Way and Tapeka Road. Pheasants and Californian quail frequent the ground. Fantails and occasionally wood pigeons (kereru) can be seen in the bush.

The historic "Hone Heke" flagpole, the magnificent views and the mosaic sundial are tourist "must-see" attractions.

History

History

The sacking of Kororareka (Russell) in 1844 is detailed in 'A Most Noble Anchorage' by Marie King. A kauri flagstaff chosen from Maori chief Hone Heke's land originally stood at Waitangi but was moved to Te Maiki in 1834. Later Heke, previously an ally of the settlers, was insulted and determined to remove the symbol of British domination that he feared could rob Maori of their lands and reduce them to slavery. Missionary William Williams persuaded him not to chop the flagpole down but on 8 July 1844 one of his people, Haratua, chopped it down for him.

The British quickly re-erected the flagstaff and sent troops from Auckland. Hone Heke downed the flagstaff again in January 1845. Soldiers were again sent from Auckland and a reward offered for Heke's capture.

The third flagstaff was guarded night and day but Heke landed in Watering Bay and walked up the slope, alone, axe in hand, to do the deed once more.

On 15 February 1845 HMS Hazard brought more troops and a fortified building was erected on Te Maiki adjacent to the fourth flagstaff sheathed with iron to a height of three metres. They dug a wide, deep trench around the blockhouse and set up three cannon in another blockhouse nearby.

A large supply of gunpowder was landed from the Hazard and stored in the cellar of a building on the northern side of the township, which had been built to provide shelter each night for the township's women and children. By this time, Maori raiding parties were rampaging all over the Bay, and refugees were arriving in Russell to be housed and fed.

First shots were fired on 3 March. Three chiefs Heke, Kapotai and Kawiti joined forces against the settlers. On 11 March, 600 Maori warriors met up at Te Uruti, and divided into three. Under a blanket of fog they set out for Kororareka. Kawiti made his way through Matauwhi Bay to the corner of the churchyard, and made as much noise as possible - a distraction. The Kapotai party attacked from Long Beach (Oneroa). Heke attacked the flagstaff and its defenders, approaching from the Tapeka side.

Their plan worked! The settlers were distracted by the arrival of Kawiti's group, and Heke and his warriors reached the flagstaff, finding its sheath of steel a difficult challenge.

Down in the town there was confusion. Casualties, women, children and personal property were all packed together - with the gunpowder. Women, children and wounded were evacuated to the ships and soon after the gunpowder in the cellar blew up. The town was a mess; casks of rum were looted and broached. Ppeople died, some from violence, some in fires.

Next day the Hazard's guns opened up infuriating the Maori and by nightfall most of the town was burning.

On 27 April a force of 470 officers and soldiers with fifty settlers pursued the retreating Maori warriors who had fled to the Kapotai pa at Waikare. More troops arrived in Kororareka on 28 April and destroyed Pomare's pa at Otuihu. Fighting continued for most of that winter - battles won and lost. By December the Maori warriors had retreated to Ruapekapeka, in the southwestern Bay of Islands. This was an amazing fortified pa, a stronghold of Kawiti, and here at the turn of the new year, the last battles were fought.

Tamati Waka Nene, from the Hokianga, was appalled at what had happened at Kororareka. In October 1846 he invited Kawiti, Heke and other important chiefs to Kaikohe where an agreement of sorts was reached.

The current flagstaff was erected in 1857 as a token of peace and named Whakakotahitanga ('being of one with the Queen'). Maihi Paraone Kawiti, a descendant of the chief who fought in the Battle of Kororareka, led the felling of a kauri spar, its preparation and carrying up Maiki Hill via Wellington St.

Somehow, via regular restoration, Whakakotahitanga has survived fire, rot, lightning and intentional damage so that it is now 150 years old. Earlier this year, halyards were repaired and new floodlights make it a nighttime landmark above the town.

The other peak at Te Maiki is a trig station featuring a large sundial with a beautiful mosaic map of the Bay of Islands. This was built to celebrate the centenary of the NZ Institute of Surveyors, 1988.
Walks | From RussellRussell Waterfront | Kororareka Reserve | Fladgate Reserve