Mangawhare - Mangawhare makes its place in Northern Wairoa
Author: Blue Orb Publisher: Northlander Date: 19th Century
The oldest trading centre in the Northern Wairoa district is Mangawhare. The land upon which the township has been built was purchased from the chief, Parore Te Awha, about the year 1840, by Mr Adkins. Mr Adkins was a member of a firm in Ireland, and came to this country in the 1830s.
He was engaged in the timber trade in Hokianga before he came to the Kaipara. He didn’t reside in Mangawhare, but visited frequently. The first manager placed in charge at the Northern Wairoa was Mr Forsaith, who took up residence at Mangawhare. A very large amount of business was done at Mangawhare in the purchase of spars for the Navy, and later in the purchase and sale of kauri gum, and generally trading with the Maori. Several homes were built at Mangawhare, and bushmen and others made their homes there. About 1881, a bridge was built across the Kaihu river and the main road was then carried to Dargaville.
For many years Mangawhare was the centre of sport; there was a cricket ground, the football field, and a race course. All these drew crowds and helped to keep up the attractions of the place. The rivalry of the newer township of Dargaville was keenly maintained, however the public school, halls and the post office were placed some way from Mangawhare, and Dargaville soon began to take its place as the main centre in the Kaipara.
This information was found in:
Early Northern WairoaBy John Stallworthy
Dargaville Library
Ref: ZNF Z993.122 STA
He was engaged in the timber trade in Hokianga before he came to the Kaipara. He didn’t reside in Mangawhare, but visited frequently. The first manager placed in charge at the Northern Wairoa was Mr Forsaith, who took up residence at Mangawhare. A very large amount of business was done at Mangawhare in the purchase of spars for the Navy, and later in the purchase and sale of kauri gum, and generally trading with the Maori. Several homes were built at Mangawhare, and bushmen and others made their homes there. About 1881, a bridge was built across the Kaihu river and the main road was then carried to Dargaville.
For many years Mangawhare was the centre of sport; there was a cricket ground, the football field, and a race course. All these drew crowds and helped to keep up the attractions of the place. The rivalry of the newer township of Dargaville was keenly maintained, however the public school, halls and the post office were placed some way from Mangawhare, and Dargaville soon began to take its place as the main centre in the Kaipara.
This information was found in:
Early Northern WairoaBy John Stallworthy
Dargaville Library
Ref: ZNF Z993.122 STA
The mighty Northern Wairoa River - Credit: Blue Orb
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