Who was Cannibal Jack?

I've nearly finished this book, if you haven't read it and you are a New Zealand history nerd like me you'll love it. John Marmon aka Jacky Marmon was an Australian sailor who became one of the first Europeans to live as a Pakeha (Caucasian) Maori. He was born in Sydney around 1799-1800, the son of a convict stonemason or Irish descent and first went to sea on a whaling ship at 5 years of age visiting New Zealand's Bay of Islands in 1805 before returning to Sydney. He went to sea again at the age of 11 and sailed in merchant vessels throughout the Pacific and between the Australian colonies.

In 1823 he was convicted of theft and sentenced to serve 2 years on government ships but escaped while the ship he was on was berthed in Russell.  In Hokianga Marmon lived under the protection of the local chief Muriwai and married the daughter of another. He became fluent in Māori and travelled on the Ngāpuhi raids on the Hokianga under the leadership of Hongi Hika.

He attempted unsuccessfully to convince Hokianga Maori not to sign the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, but later during the period now known as the Flagstaff War he and the Hokianga Māori supported the British troops and Tāmati Wāka Nene; with Marmon himself recovering the bodies of the Europeans slain during the Battle of Ohaeawai.

His relationships with the European population were always tainted by the suggestion that he had taken part in cannibal feasts in his early raids with the Māori.

He died at Rawhia on 3 September 1880 and the next year many newspapers serialised his autobiography as "The life and adventures of John Marmon, the Hokianga Pakeha Maori, or, seventy-five years in New Zealand" Marmon's final resting place is unknown, but believed to be on Rawhia Point. Now lined with pine trees, now considered somewhat of a sacred area and locals have refused to log the area.

If you can see the black circle in the above satellite image of the area, apparently there is a section of pine trees that looks out of place with the rest of the trees, this is roughly where he is rumoured to be buried. I'm not sure how to get to this place, there is a walking track from the top of the road but not sure if it leads to the beach below or whether it is on private land. We are going to try and have a look next time we are out there.

Join us on Facebook at the Northland Heritage Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/1109709272401824/