Our History

Compiled By Liz Amoore
Pre European –  Pukete (the hill) was a small pa in the wider Horotiu (means swiftly flowing) area. The Pa site is located at the northern end of Braithwaite Park. The Pa was used up until the arrival of military settlers in 1863.

Most areas by the sea e.g. Raglan, and Kawhia was settled earlier than Hamilton. This was because trading vessels and boats were able to get into these places. Travelling into the interior of the North Island was more difficult. In the Waikato, the only highways were the rivers and streams.

One early traveller noted that they travelled at least 15 miles towards the east along the Waikato River and the only small settlement they saw was Pukete Pa.

Some of the very early settlers in the area had Maori wives. One of these was William Searancke who married Hariata and had 4 children. Their second son married Tiahuia, a daughter of King Tawhaio.  Te Puea Herangi was their second child. Herangi is Maori for Serancke.

Another was a Frenchman named Louis Hetet who liking what he saw in New Zealand returned to France and bought back with him farm implements, stock, seeds and tools. The principal occupation of these early traders was salting pork and selling it to bigger settlements such as Auckland.

Next to arrive in the Waikato were mission stations. Two big stations were at Tuakau and Taupiri. The missionaries taught the Maori cultivation of crops such as wheat and potatoes.

Find out more click the timelines below…

KO WAIRERE (Top Figure)

The main top figure depicts Wairere who was an important ancestor who was directly linked to the origins of the name Waikato following his birth during the 1600s. He was a famous chief and had many numerous descendants. His tribe,Ngati Wairere are the local iwi upon the lands that Hamilton City is built upon.

Wairere means flowing water in reference to the river waters flowing around his Grand father named Kokako,in mid thigh deep water while performing a baptismal sacred ritual by sprinkling sprigs of karamu leaves over Wairere and at the conclusion of the ceremony, plucked the water to release droplets of water upon the child freeing it from the Tapu (Sacredness) of childbirth. From there onwards the old name of the river was changed from Te Awanui O Taikehu to Waikato

Wai means (water) Kato means (pluck) referring to the plucking motion of his hand upon the surface of the water where Kokako sprinkled the child’s head with droplets of water, then released the sprigs of Karamu into the river currents. For local Maori identity and connection to land is akin to describing a bond between a child and its biological parent.
Hence the history behind the origins of the name Waikato now used to identify the people of this region and the connection of the river to the residents of Pukete

NGA HAU E WHA

The four individual faces located on the main body of the Pou represent the four ancient winds (Nga hau e wha) which depict the journeys and travels of people from throughout the nation and across the world who associate with Pukete School. The names are.
Hurunuku atea – The northern wind . Top right
Tahu Makakanui – The Western wind. Bottom right.
Tahu mawakenui – Eastern wind. Top Left
Paraweranui- Southern Wind. Bottom left

KO KOURA ( Central Figure)

The central figure depicts Koura, a famed 17th century female paramount chief who challenged men to hand to hand combat in times of battle. She was an outstanding leader and is depicted as an ancient talisman that was found in 1942 at Pukete Pa,an ancient Ngati Koura fortification. The figure has been chosen as a diety for developing a strong leader.

KOWHAIWHAI- “ E TIPU E REA”

The painted pattern in this mid portion of the Pou –ihi depicts the concepts of growing life-force within our children and the need to nurture them and provide them knowledge ,values and virtues through life ahead encapsulating the theme and motto of Pukete School “ Success begins with me “

The right side of the Pou represents the Ira Tangata (male essence), the left side depicts the (female essence)liken to growing flax plants that represent the parents and the child a place where children grow by learning.

LOWER CARVINGS

The five carvings at the bottom of the Pou are the Tui, Kakapo,Kea,Kiwi and Ruru birds which depict the school houses which make up Pukete School. Positioned on the Pou so they feel close to the children and the children can take strength from them.