Kawatiri Coastal Trail ON TRACK:
MAHUIKA OF THE KAWATIRI
By Stu Henley
Not many local people have heard of Hoani Mahuika, but this Māori chief lived at the Kawatiri for 75
years and played an important role in Westport’s early development.
Hoani Mahuika – courtesy Ngāti Apa ki te Rā Tō
He was born in 1835 at the Ngāti Apa pa on the north bank of the Mawhera (Grey) river at a time
when Ngāti Apa lived close to the dominant Poutini Ngāi Tahu. He was the son of Mahuika of
Rangitane descent while his mother Mata Nohinohi was a kaumatua of high standing within both
Poutini Ngāi Tahu and Ngāti Apa and his uncle was the Ngāti Apa chief Puaha te Rangi.
In 1845 the Mahuika whanau established potato gardens at the Kawatiri in the hope of establishing
ownership over the area in future negotiations with the government. A year later a small, but
permanent pa was built on the west bank of the Kawatiri River near the mouth and the whanau
moved there.
As a young man Hoani Mahuika developed a detailed understanding of the Kawatiri River and its
surrounds. He was expert in the canoe and knew the best places for fishing and bird hunting. The
whanau often made trips to Omau and Tauranga (bay) for fishing and shellfish gathering.
The discovery of gold near Collingwood in 1857 and subsequent gold rush saw Mahuika move north
and here he learnt gold mining methods. At Collingwood he was given the nickname “Flash Jack”
because of his liking for European suits and hats.
Mahuika returned to the Kawatiri in early 1861 as news spread of significant gold finds at the Lyell
and he is attributed with discovering gold in the Waimangaroa River.
On the north spit at Westport Mahuika and other Māori assisted pakeha to set up their stores and a
pa was built as the number of Māori had increased substantially. Mahuika’s superb knowledge of the
Kawatiri river meant he was in demand as a cargo boat captain taking equipment and supplies up to
the Lyell goldfield and later to the Inangahua Landing.
The 1866 Charleston gold rush saw Westport expand greatly and sections of the Native Reserve at
the north spit were rented to storekeepers and publicans. In 1870 after a huge sea demolished much
of the pa, most of the residents moved upriver and established a new pa (near Reedy’s farm). Hoani
Mahuika was now an important member of Ngāti Apa and he had high mana. At its peak in the late
1870’s the pa had over 50 residents and a large vegetable garden and orchard were established.
Hoani and his wife Heni regularly took a cartload of produce into Westport.
Hoani Mahuika’s skill on the river was confirmed in 1886 when at the age of 51, he won the Rob Roy
canoe race at the Westport regatta. The Westport Times reported: “The winner got away with the
lead and kept it to the finish”. His prize was ₤3.
In the 1890’s the number living at the pa declined markedly and Hoani and Heni moved into a house
in Roebuck Street. Hoani established a fishing spot under the Buller bridge on the west bank where
he made many large whitebait catches.
During the visit of the Prince of Wales to Westport in 1921, the Westport Times reported: “Hoani
Mahuika, the local chief of natives, presented the Prince with handsome wooden walking stick that
contained a greenstone insert”.
He died in 1923 after suffering a heart attack when at his spot on the river. Appropriately he is
buried on the terrace near Punt road above his treasured Kawatiri river. Hoani and Heni Mahuika
had eight children and there are now over 1,000 descendants including locals great granddaughter
Alice Gilsenan and great great grandson John McLaren.
It is time for the Buller District to recognise and celebrate the life of Hoani Mahuika, the last Māori
chief of the Kawatiri, and to ensure he is accorded a rightful place in our district’s history.