Pakipaki

Pakipaki is a pā kāinga village and rural community in the Hastings District and Hawke's Bay Region of New Zealand's North Island. The village is home to many Ngāti Whatuiāpiti hapū tribes represented by their three marae of Houngarea, Mihiroa, and Taraia. The village is also the home of the Hawke's Bay Catholic Māori Mission and displays the Foundation Stone for the Catholic Church in Hawke's Bay. Pakipaki is a Sacred Space in the Footsteps of Venerable Suzanne Aubert.
It is located at the intersection of State Highway 2 and State Highway 50A, south-west of Hastings and Havelock North.

Geology

Pakipaki is located on the southern margin of the Heretaunga Plains, a tectonically active region shaped by millions of years of geological processes. The landscape and subsurface geology of Pakipaki reflect the interplay of tectonic subsidence, sedimentation from ancient rivers, and repeated sea-level changes associated with glacial and interglacial cycles.

Geological Setting and Stratigraphy

The Heretaunga Plains, including Pakipaki, are underlain by a thick sequence of Quaternary sediments that have accumulated over the last 2 million years as the region subsided along fault lines. This subsidence created a broad, low-lying basin that has been repeatedly filled and reworked by marine and riverine processes. Beneath Pakipaki, the stratigraphic sequence includes alternating layers of gravel, sand, silt, and clay, deposited during cooler glacial periods when rivers carried large amounts of coarse material, and finer sediments deposited during warmer interglacial periods when sea levels were higher and river gradients lower.
At depth, the plains are underlain by older Tertiary rocks, including Pliocene limestones and sandstones, which form the hilly country to the west and south of Pakipaki. These rocks dip gently northeast and are often capped by younger Quaternary marine or non-marine sediments. Petroleum well data and boreholes in the region have encountered Miocene-aged sandstone, mudstone, and limestone at depths of up to 1000 meters, with Pliocene rocks at around 300–500 meters below the surface.

Surface Geology and Soils

The surface geology of Pakipaki is dominated by alluvial deposits-gravel, sand, and silt-laid down by the ancestral Ngaruroro and Tukituki rivers as they meandered across the plains. These deposits are relatively young, dating from the Holocene epoch, and are characterized by their fertility and versatility for agriculture. However, the area is also subject to periodic flooding and waterlogging, reflecting its low elevation and the presence of poorly drained soils.
Pakipaki is particularly known for its silt loam soils, commonly referred to as "Pakipaki silt loam." This soil type is recognized for its fine texture, moderate drainage, and high natural fertility, making it valuable for cropping and pastoral farming. However, the flat terrain and fine-grained nature of these soils also make them susceptible to compaction, erosion, and flooding, especially during periods of heavy rainfall or high groundwater levels.

Hydrogeology

Underlying Pakipaki and the wider Heretaunga Plains is a significant artesian aquifer system, which supplies water to Hastings, Pakipaki, and surrounding districts. The aquifer is recharged by rainfall and river infiltration in the western hills, with groundwater moving through the permeable gravel and sand layers beneath the plains. Artesian wells in the Pakipaki area tap into this aquifer, providing a reliable source of high-quality water for domestic, agricultural, and industrial use.

Tectonics and Ongoing Change

The geology of Pakipaki continues to evolve due to ongoing tectonic activity along the Hikurangi subduction zone, which underlies the east coast of the North Island. This tectonic setting causes periodic uplift, subsidence, and faulting, influencing river courses, groundwater flow, and sedimentation patterns across the Heretaunga Plains. As a result, the geology beneath Pakipaki is a dynamic record of both ancient and modern earth processes, shaping the land and its resources.

History

The modern pā kāinga village of Pakipaki was founded in the 1860s by the rangatira chief Urupene Pūhara with the first town plan laid out in 1862. The village was established on the banks of the Awanui River in the area known to be the settlement of the 16th century ancestress Hinetemoa. The full name of the village is the proverb Te Pakipakitanga-o-Hinetemoa.
The village initially had one whare house named Ngarengare, a hall named Houngarea, and a wooden church dedicated to Saint Luke, with a scattering of European style homes. The establishment of Pakipaki was the permanent settlement of Ngāti Whatuiāpiti, Ngāti Ngarengare, Ngāti Papatuamārō, Ngāti Te Rehunga, and Ngāti Tamaterā to their ancestral land following 40 years of displacement during the Musket Wars, exile to Te Māhia, and repatriation to Heretaunga from 1840.
Through the 1860s, land surrounding Pakipaki was purchased by the Crown Land Agent, which saw the alienation of Hapū from the surrounding hills to settle in Pakipaki. The first hapū were Ngāti Hōtoa and their whare house Taraia. They were followed by Ngāti Mihiroa who built the whare house Mihiroa.
Pakipaki achieved growth in the 1860s and 1870s with the building of the Main Road, and then the railway in 1875. With the establishment of the railway and the building of a hotel nearby, Pakipaki became a centre for Māori politics, religious debate and significant gatherings.

Pakipaki Māori Brass Band

In the late 1800s the brass band movement had become popular among Māori and by the late 1880s funds were raised for the establishment of a Māori brass band. The band was known by the names of Heretaunga Māori Brass Band, Pakipaki Native Band, and Pakipaki Māori Brass Band. The band was a full complement of 26 players with their own instruments and uniforms ordered from England, along with a bandmaster as their tutor.
The band was a regular feature of Te Kotahitanga the Māori Parliaments and would accompany the Heretaunga contingents to the sittings of the Māori Parliament around the country through the 1890s.
Most notably the Ngāti Kahungunu contingent for the Māori Parliament left Napier in March 1898 for Rotorua via Auckland. On 3 March the band gave a promenade concert in the Albert Park under Mr Fred Clemens, bandmaster. The band arrived from Napier in the S.S. Tasmania and continued to Rotorua by train.
While on the Tasmania the band from Pakipaki enlivened the trip with frequent performances.Just as the Tasmania berthed at the Wharf, the band assembled on the top of the after-hole, and gave a musical selection in very good time.
At the Rotorua sitting of the Māori Parliament the band marched to meet and escort all visiting parties to the open space in the pā in front of the great carved house, Tama Te Kapua. Frequently the band discoursed select pieces, to the delight of all the residents and visitors; and also gave entertainments instrumental, song, dance, and haka to large and appreciative audiences.
On return to Auckland from Rotorua, the band gave a concert at Onehunga.

Māori Women's Christian Temperance Union

In April 1911, the first National Māori Women's Convention was held at Pakipaki under the auspices of the Women's Christian Temperance Union New Zealand to bring the many different temperance leaders together from all over the country. The WCTU NZ's journal The White Ribbon dedicated a bilingual issue to the proceedings at this convention. Sixty-five delegates representing seven Māori Unions and over four hundred visitors attended the dinner on the first of the convention's four days. Archdeacon David Ruddock of the Anglican Diocese of Waiapu presided over the opening church service in the Pakipaki Hall.
At this first convention the delegates decided to create a Māori District Union within the WCTU NZ rather than a separate national union. The delegates then elected Hera Stirling as president and Matehaere Arapata Tiria "Ripeka" Brown Halbert of Manutuke as vice president. At a public meeting on 19 April eleven men formed a Men's Committee to support the Hastings No-License League, one of these men was Mohi Te Ātahīkoia, who was the husband of Pukepuke Tangiora, president of the Pakipaki Branch of the Māori District Union.
Pukepuke Tangiora was known to discuss temperance outside Saint Luke's Church at the height of the temperance movement. Both Pukepuke Tangiora and Mohi Te Ātahīkoia laid the Foundation Stone for the WCTU in Napier on 30 August 1911 alongside Mrs Oldham and G W George William Venables, a local businessman who established the printing firm Venables & Co. in Tennyson Street, Napier.

Pakipaki Marae

Pakipaki pā kāinga village has five historical marae sites, three of which are active Ngāti Kahungunu marae. In October 2020, the Government committed $6,020,910 from the Provincial Growth Fund to upgrade a group of 18 Heretaunga marae, including Houngarea, Taraia, and Mihiroa. Each marae represent their respective whānau families and hapū tribes at the governance table for Te Taiwhenua Heretaunga the Iwi Authority for Heretaunga Māori.

Houngarea Pā

Houngarea is the principal marae for Pakipaki, and Whare Rūnanga Tribal Council House for Ngāti Whatuiāpiti, Ngāti Ngarengare, Ngāti Papatuamāro, Ngāti Tamaterā and Ngāti Te Rehunga. Houngarea replaced the aging Ngarengare whare that once stood nearby, and is carved in the Te Arawa style by Te Ngaru Ranapia and Wharetutaki Rukingi of Ngāti Pikiao.
Houngarea was opened on 16 March 1916 and is a World War One memorial, and is gazetted as a National Marae. From the time Houngarea was opened, it became the marae to host the official farewell, and welcome home for the East Coast Contingents of the Māori Pioneer Battalion in World War One, and the 28th Māori Battalion in World War Two.
On one occasion in March 1917 Houngarea hosted the official welcome for Sir James Carroll, who had returned from England. After some days events 37 soldier recruits from the East Coast were farewelled as they marched to the Pakipaki Railway Station to travel to camp.
The internal back ridge post is painted with the flags of British Malta, Belgium and France. The wall is emblazoned with the flags of Britain, France and the Australian Merchant Navy above the date 1 June 1915, commemorating the building of Houngarea. The crossed swords of the New Zealand Army and the crossed taiaha and tewhatewha of the Māori Pioneer Battalion are also painted. The stylised figures of the poupou represent Māori soldiers.
The internal front ridge post is painted with the flags of New Zealand and the Russian Imperial Navy. The wall is emblazoned with the flags of Britain, France and the Australian Merchant Navy above the date 16 March 1916, commemorating the dedication and opening of Houngarea. The crossed swords of the New Zealand Army and the crossed taiaha and tewhatewha of the Māori Pioneer Battalion are also painted. The stylised figures of the poupou represent Māori soldiers.
‘Houngarea’, Hastings Standard, 15 March 1916:
A Tribune reporter paid a visit to Pakipaki today, where elaborate preparations are being made in connection with the ceremony of the opening of the new meeting house, Houngarea.
There will be a big reception tomorrow, when Natives from all parts of the Dominion will be present, it is expected that from 500 to 600 Maori will assemble. A large contingent will arrive tomorrow morning from Gisborne and Wairoa.
The chief ceremony will take place when the new meeting house will be formally opened. Large marquees have been erected for the accommodation of visitors, a special tent being set aside for notabilities. Fruit, refreshment and sweet stalls are on the grounds, and a marquee has been erected for entertainments. In the evenings the whole place will be illuminated by electricity. Special care has been devoted to sanitary arrangements, and a posse of police will have control of affairs generally.
The general management is in the hands of Rapihana Hawaiikirangi, Taranaki Te Ua, Ratima, and a strong committee of ladies. A luncheon room for Europeans has been provided, at which a charge will be made for meals. The takings will be devoted to the Wounded Soldiers' Fund.
Each evening there will be military, war canoe, aerial defence and Allied poi dances. The meeting house itself is a handsome and commodious structure, and beautifully carved —the work of Mr. Rukingi and son, of Rotorua. A pleasing feature of the internal decorations are the flags of the Allies painted on panels. This work was done solely by the ladies of the local tribe, and reflects great credit on their skill.
Despite its association with war, Houngarea aptly translates to 'resounding peace', in association with the whakatauāki proverbial saying of the 17th century Ngāti Ngarengare chief Ikahoungata:

'Ko Te Ihu, Ko Te Rae, Tikina Houhia Te Rongo'
'With our nose and our forehead brought together, peace shall prevail.'