The Kohukohu Cannons

In Kohukohu just opposite the main general store are these 2 cannons on the gentle slope of a hill which have a history associated with George Frederick Russell who was born 1809 and died in 1855.

George sailed from Sydney to Horeke in 1831 and purchased properties in Kohukohu in 1839 (later owned by the Yarborough family) before setting up business as a timber trade, shipping Kauri spars and squared timber to London and other markets.

His business quickly expanded and being small in size along with quick in movement he was known to the Maori people as "Piwakawaka" (fantail). He married a close relative of paramount chief Tamati Waka Nene.

One of Russell’s sons, Frederick Nene Russell, was elected unopposed as the first member of the New Zealand House of Representatives for Northern Maori.

After George Frederick Russell’s death in 1855 age 46 his Kohukohu business was carried on by John Webster who married Russell’s eldest daughter.

For many years these cannons stood overlooking the Town of Kohukohu in the garden of the Yarborough property.

After the death of Mr G. C. Yarborough J.P. on the 6th July 1969 the cannons were re-sited on their present position by the Hokianga County Council in recognition of the services given to the people of Hokianga by this family and in particular by the late Mr A. C. Yarborough who was the first chairman of the county from 1876 onwards and the late Mr A. G. C. Yarborough who was chairman from 1927 to 1952. (from the inscription on the bronze plaque at rear).

Information taken from Kohukohu History.

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