Who is John Martin?

John Martin - these days probably a common name in New Zealand but this man has a tale to tell. He is buried in Mangungu Mission Cemetery in Horeke and was born in 1796 in Leinster, Ireland. 

He travelled to Sydney and became a Chief Offier on the ship "Mermaid" which first came to the Hokianga in 1826 then in 1827 as First Mate on the ship Governor MacQuarie  which originated from Port Jackson trading around New Zealand and the Pacific Islands. 

"Relations between the Maori and Europeans were still progressing at this time there was an incident involving the ship where it had been anchored for quite a while off Omapere and on one particular occasion, a group of Maori had crowded onto the deck. However the Captain John Kent and Martin were were wise enough to set up 2 cannons on the poop deck loaded with grapeshot. When their intentions to take the ship was made clear by the Maori performing a Haka, a daughter of Te Waenga named KiriOra (or Kate) who had formed a relationship with Martin shouted that all would be killed if they did not stop. Luckily they heeded her warning and bloodshed was averted." Information by Jaden Harris which details information on John Martin's house and property.

Te Waenga - The High Priest of the Hokianga River

He married KiriOra Waenga the daughter of well known Hokianga Tohunga Te Waenga and they had 3 children; Mary, Maria and George. He was for many years the Hokianga pilot and signalmaster. Some interesting information I've read about her is this:

"She was born in Tanui, Raglan then was kidnapped as a child by a Ngapuhi raiding party where she was raised as a slave." How accurate this report is I don't know, perhaps it is true.

I found some very interesting and important information from the Department of Conservation which says:

Araiteuru is on the South Head of the Hokianga Harbour and is rich in history and tradition dating back to the arrival of Kupe, an early Polynesian explorer. The headland from the 1830s to the 1850s also operated as a signal station for ships entering the harbour. The signal station is an important part of Hokianga's early pioneering history and the reserve which is now there has high scenic values.

"Stand by, take the bar" unknown photographer 1910 to 1919 - Auckland Museum PH-NEG-C29222 

The station was originally established by John Martin, a harbour pilot who purchased land at Araiteuru and a flagstaff was used to hoist signals to ships in order to direct them in taking the bar. In 1951 it was closed due to a decline in shipping and trading in the Hokianga. 

The only remains of the signal station flagpole and yard arm seen today - photo by M. Goddard 2010

He was a member of the Masonic Grand Lodge of Ireland No 266 and in 1826 was transferred to the Leinster Marine Lodge of Australia. He passed away due to Rhematism and Apolplexy in 1863.

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