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"Refuge Island" from the Maori Pa, Lake Brunner.
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Description"Refuge Island" from the Maori Pa, Lake Brunner.
Mahana Coulston:
According to our korero or stories Tuhuru made these islands his base when he conquered the tribe Ngati Wairangi who were here at that time.on another note the Ngati kuri of Kaikoura sacked the Mawhera pa when everyone was out on other duties,when it was discovered what had happened there they were pursued to the Ahaura area and slain and the remaining spoils (ie humans)from the altercation were marched to Takataka and consumed there.PhotographerJames RingMap[1] ContributorHeather Newby
Mahana Coulston:
According to our korero or stories Tuhuru made these islands his base when he conquered the tribe Ngati Wairangi who were here at that time.on another note the Ngati kuri of Kaikoura sacked the Mawhera pa when everyone was out on other duties,when it was discovered what had happened there they were pursued to the Ahaura area and slain and the remaining spoils (ie humans)from the altercation were marched to Takataka and consumed there.PhotographerJames RingMap[1] ContributorHeather Newby
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Location (city or town)Lake BrunnerLandmark (Place)Refuge IslandEvent"Refuge Island" from the Maori Pa, Lake Brunner.
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Date Created11th April 2021CommentsMahana Coulston
Was used by our people before the pakeha came to the coast. Takataka is the true name of the island
Mahana Coulston what was it used for ..... it should be referred to as that
Mahana Coulston
Runanga Miners’ Hall Project - ‘Restoring the Hall, Restoring the Community well it wasn’t used to house refugees if that’s what you’re referring to was used as a seasonal camp
Andrew Oliver
I was told about the islands past the other day.
Andrew Oliver
Have they done any archeological surveys on the island?
Mahana Coulston
Andrew Oliver not that I no of in recent times
Colin Waterman
Andrew Oliver might find bones, old story of maori breaking people's legs and putting them on that island to come back later and eat them.
John Rosanowski
Have an idea that Arthur Dudley Dobson recounts a visit to that island in the 1860s with Poutini Ngai Tahu chief, Tahuru. See his autobiog, "Reminiscences."
Shantytown
John Rosanowski Not sure about Dobson but certainly visited by Thomas Brunner, or atleast the Pah was. It may have been Dobson who gave Brunner's pakeha name to the lake later on.
Dale Felmingham
The Refuge Islands (there are two of them next to each other with a very very small channel between) are on the Eastern side of Lake Brunner between Iveagh Bay and Moana but closer to Iveagh Bay.
The story I was always told as a kid (and I am fully open to be being nicely corrected if this wrong) was that back in 1800s the Maori people fled to the refuge islands to try and escape Te Rauparaha, who was trying to conquer the South Island and was on the rampage.
Was also told, that back then, that there used to be a Maori Pa somewhere on the mainland near the islands.
As I said, Am more than happy to be corrected (nicely) if this information is incorrect.
Mahana Coulston
Dale Felmingham you’re right in part there is a Pa on the mainland close to the islands.
Andrew Oliver
Dale Felmingham, I heard a different story. Story I've heard that in the late 1700s a raiding party from Kaikoura was defeated with some of the prisoners kept for a time on the island. Maybe Mahana Coulston could help with more information
Mahana Coulston
Andrew Oliver that’s correct
Andrew Oliver
Dale Felmingham I thought Te Rauparaha personally went down the east coast, but yes allies of his came down the west coast.
Lyn Armstrong
There was a story that divers from 5he Canterbury museum went down to recover a waka and were attacked by eels .
Dad wasn't comfortable near the islands
Joe Abbott
Lyn Armstrong yes Lynn, my grandparents used to tell that same story: apparently looking for a Maori canoe
And I always felt that there was an eerie spooky aura around that place
Mahana Coulston
According to our korero or stories Tuhuru made these islands his base when he conquered the tribe Ngati Wairangi who were here at that time.on another note the Ngati kuri of Kaikoura sacked the Mawhera pa when everyone was out on other duties,when it was discovered what had happened there they were pursued to the Ahaura area and slain and the remaining spoils (ie humans)from the altercation were marched to Takataka and consumed there.
Iri Sinclair
Mahana Coulston Tautoko. Pono.
Andrew Oliver
Mahana Coulston thanks for keeping the history alive, it's so important to maintain the oral history with nothing written from that time period. The back story makes two islands in a lake far more interesting.
Miri Squires
?Were Ngati Waitangi living at Ohikanui prior to 1700 Mahana Coulston
Graham Ngatuere
Heather what and where was the Marae in WESTPORT....
Heather Newby
Author
Admin
Graham Ngatuere dont know.. Someone will.
Ursula Tauwhare Tainui
There was never a Marae in the true sense in Kawatiri (Westport)
Steph JF
My brother Greg Fairhall use to kayak on the lake regularly. He got such a fright one day, either spirits or alien life he never went out on it again. He would not talk about it EVER. Sadly we don't know what he experienced
Colin Waterman
The Orangipuku River flows into lake Moana not so far from those islands? I tried to research but didn't find out, what is the definition of the maori word Orangipuku?
Sheri Lee
Friendly folk, living in peace & harmony...
Bob Jamieson
Sheri Lee And on the East coasts Te Rauparaha and his mates did the same thing to the locals at Kaiapoi and Onawe peminsula, Yep, cultured, peace loving, NOT.
Paul Mcewen
This will get shut down not PC from the Maori perspective. Hide their history.
Lindsay Truscott
Peace loving folks were they not
Craig Norman
Lindsay Truscott and when the white man's muskets arrived and they got hold of them, they nearly wiped each other out.
Lindsay Truscott
Craig Norman they had already started before that as history and stories they tell say so.
Craig Norman
Lindsay Truscott warring was a sort of ritual game. although it was for real, and there wear deaths, injuries were not that serious, but when firearms arrived it was "bang you're dead. "
Trish Rennie
Craig Norman if that’s the case then how come we have so many laying claim to the Treaty settlements????
John Paget
They were all one people the Maori. They lived in peace and harmony. All these stories of cannabilism and stealing territory is a load of falsehoods spread by my ancestors.
Marilyn Hopkins
John Paget not at all , yes the maoris did cannibalism, yes slaughtered rival tribes and white people, u need to read history books ,
John Paget
Marilyn Hopkins You can reinvent history according to what ever you want to believe.
Marilyn Hopkins
It happened u can believe it didnt
Barry Ward
John Paget You mean like the Treaty,
Marilyn Hopkins
John Paget peace and harmony, sure thing, the wairau massacre, is one, t
Barry Ward
John Paget Ive heard ducks farting in the long grass before
Robert Mathewson
Murder island .
Chris Kirby
Modern day version is now the ram raid , hit at night when no one is around!
Mason Cooksley
Camped on the larger of the two islands for a night when I was a young chap. Not much room for a wee tent but was a pretty cool place to stop on a kayak circumnavigation of the lake.
Garethferal Evans
Growing up at Moana we were always told as kids it's tapu and there was earth ovens etc on there and it's guarded by a giant eel. Great fishing in that area of the lake thou.
Cole Jones
Garethferal Evans Did you ever go there to see the earth ovens etc?
Garethferal Evans
Cole Jones I've been on there but couldn't find much it's so over grown eerie place thou
Bruce Whitfield
In these times when just some Maori like to push the premise that they are the ultimate chosen race of indigenous peoples on the planet....I still like studying early Maori....and there is plenty to learn. However no matter what is said to the contrary...Maori were a fierce warlike people..as even Abel Tasman found out in the 1600's. It is easy to find horrific stories about Maori raiding parties who took slaves with them on their journeys as food to be slaughtered. Hence it's difficult to understand why just some Maori are making so much noise about how bad the influence of colonialism has been on their race. At least the various tribes can cohabitate in NZ without setting out to kill each other.
Greg Mait
Maori in those times made their way own way , Just as we do in our time. From reading many historical books written in the early 1800's I have the impression that their culture and etiquette was far different from todays Maori in many respects. They may not have lived to our present day expectations ,but it was their choice . who are we to judge. We certainly aren't perfect ( Maori & non Maori)
Was used by our people before the pakeha came to the coast. Takataka is the true name of the island
Mahana Coulston what was it used for ..... it should be referred to as that
Mahana Coulston
Runanga Miners’ Hall Project - ‘Restoring the Hall, Restoring the Community well it wasn’t used to house refugees if that’s what you’re referring to was used as a seasonal camp
Andrew Oliver
I was told about the islands past the other day.
Andrew Oliver
Have they done any archeological surveys on the island?
Mahana Coulston
Andrew Oliver not that I no of in recent times
Colin Waterman
Andrew Oliver might find bones, old story of maori breaking people's legs and putting them on that island to come back later and eat them.
John Rosanowski
Have an idea that Arthur Dudley Dobson recounts a visit to that island in the 1860s with Poutini Ngai Tahu chief, Tahuru. See his autobiog, "Reminiscences."
Shantytown
John Rosanowski Not sure about Dobson but certainly visited by Thomas Brunner, or atleast the Pah was. It may have been Dobson who gave Brunner's pakeha name to the lake later on.
Dale Felmingham
The Refuge Islands (there are two of them next to each other with a very very small channel between) are on the Eastern side of Lake Brunner between Iveagh Bay and Moana but closer to Iveagh Bay.
The story I was always told as a kid (and I am fully open to be being nicely corrected if this wrong) was that back in 1800s the Maori people fled to the refuge islands to try and escape Te Rauparaha, who was trying to conquer the South Island and was on the rampage.
Was also told, that back then, that there used to be a Maori Pa somewhere on the mainland near the islands.
As I said, Am more than happy to be corrected (nicely) if this information is incorrect.
Mahana Coulston
Dale Felmingham you’re right in part there is a Pa on the mainland close to the islands.
Andrew Oliver
Dale Felmingham, I heard a different story. Story I've heard that in the late 1700s a raiding party from Kaikoura was defeated with some of the prisoners kept for a time on the island. Maybe Mahana Coulston could help with more information
Mahana Coulston
Andrew Oliver that’s correct
Andrew Oliver
Dale Felmingham I thought Te Rauparaha personally went down the east coast, but yes allies of his came down the west coast.
Lyn Armstrong
There was a story that divers from 5he Canterbury museum went down to recover a waka and were attacked by eels .
Dad wasn't comfortable near the islands
Joe Abbott
Lyn Armstrong yes Lynn, my grandparents used to tell that same story: apparently looking for a Maori canoe
And I always felt that there was an eerie spooky aura around that place
Mahana Coulston
According to our korero or stories Tuhuru made these islands his base when he conquered the tribe Ngati Wairangi who were here at that time.on another note the Ngati kuri of Kaikoura sacked the Mawhera pa when everyone was out on other duties,when it was discovered what had happened there they were pursued to the Ahaura area and slain and the remaining spoils (ie humans)from the altercation were marched to Takataka and consumed there.
Iri Sinclair
Mahana Coulston Tautoko. Pono.
Andrew Oliver
Mahana Coulston thanks for keeping the history alive, it's so important to maintain the oral history with nothing written from that time period. The back story makes two islands in a lake far more interesting.
Miri Squires
?Were Ngati Waitangi living at Ohikanui prior to 1700 Mahana Coulston
Graham Ngatuere
Heather what and where was the Marae in WESTPORT....
Heather Newby
Author
Admin
Graham Ngatuere dont know.. Someone will.
Ursula Tauwhare Tainui
There was never a Marae in the true sense in Kawatiri (Westport)
Steph JF
My brother Greg Fairhall use to kayak on the lake regularly. He got such a fright one day, either spirits or alien life he never went out on it again. He would not talk about it EVER. Sadly we don't know what he experienced
Colin Waterman
The Orangipuku River flows into lake Moana not so far from those islands? I tried to research but didn't find out, what is the definition of the maori word Orangipuku?
Sheri Lee
Friendly folk, living in peace & harmony...
Bob Jamieson
Sheri Lee And on the East coasts Te Rauparaha and his mates did the same thing to the locals at Kaiapoi and Onawe peminsula, Yep, cultured, peace loving, NOT.
Paul Mcewen
This will get shut down not PC from the Maori perspective. Hide their history.
Lindsay Truscott
Peace loving folks were they not
Craig Norman
Lindsay Truscott and when the white man's muskets arrived and they got hold of them, they nearly wiped each other out.
Lindsay Truscott
Craig Norman they had already started before that as history and stories they tell say so.
Craig Norman
Lindsay Truscott warring was a sort of ritual game. although it was for real, and there wear deaths, injuries were not that serious, but when firearms arrived it was "bang you're dead. "
Trish Rennie
Craig Norman if that’s the case then how come we have so many laying claim to the Treaty settlements????
John Paget
They were all one people the Maori. They lived in peace and harmony. All these stories of cannabilism and stealing territory is a load of falsehoods spread by my ancestors.
Marilyn Hopkins
John Paget not at all , yes the maoris did cannibalism, yes slaughtered rival tribes and white people, u need to read history books ,
John Paget
Marilyn Hopkins You can reinvent history according to what ever you want to believe.
Marilyn Hopkins
It happened u can believe it didnt
Barry Ward
John Paget You mean like the Treaty,
Marilyn Hopkins
John Paget peace and harmony, sure thing, the wairau massacre, is one, t
Barry Ward
John Paget Ive heard ducks farting in the long grass before
Robert Mathewson
Murder island .
Chris Kirby
Modern day version is now the ram raid , hit at night when no one is around!
Mason Cooksley
Camped on the larger of the two islands for a night when I was a young chap. Not much room for a wee tent but was a pretty cool place to stop on a kayak circumnavigation of the lake.
Garethferal Evans
Growing up at Moana we were always told as kids it's tapu and there was earth ovens etc on there and it's guarded by a giant eel. Great fishing in that area of the lake thou.
Cole Jones
Garethferal Evans Did you ever go there to see the earth ovens etc?
Garethferal Evans
Cole Jones I've been on there but couldn't find much it's so over grown eerie place thou
Bruce Whitfield
In these times when just some Maori like to push the premise that they are the ultimate chosen race of indigenous peoples on the planet....I still like studying early Maori....and there is plenty to learn. However no matter what is said to the contrary...Maori were a fierce warlike people..as even Abel Tasman found out in the 1600's. It is easy to find horrific stories about Maori raiding parties who took slaves with them on their journeys as food to be slaughtered. Hence it's difficult to understand why just some Maori are making so much noise about how bad the influence of colonialism has been on their race. At least the various tribes can cohabitate in NZ without setting out to kill each other.
Greg Mait
Maori in those times made their way own way , Just as we do in our time. From reading many historical books written in the early 1800's I have the impression that their culture and etiquette was far different from todays Maori in many respects. They may not have lived to our present day expectations ,but it was their choice . who are we to judge. We certainly aren't perfect ( Maori & non Maori)
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West Coast New Zealand History (18th May 2023). "Refuge Island" from the Maori Pa, Lake Brunner.. In Website West Coast New Zealand History. Retrieved 19th Mar 2026 07:23, from https://westcoast.recollect.co.nz/nodes/view/29235