ALBUM - Mawhera Maori Burial Cave,Greymouth.

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DescriptionThe ancient burial ground was a cave in the range of limestone hills through which the Grey River has cut its way to the sea.
The burial cave was on the south side, close to the river. When the harbour works were started rock from the hill was quarried and so began the blasting of the hillside. Great consternation was shown by the Maoris of the pa at Mawhera, now Greymouth. In order to appease them, and especially the old chief Werita Tainui, a Maori tohunga, held in great reverence, was sent, from the North Island to perform certain rites and make incantations by which the tapu might be removed. This done, the precious bones of the long departed Maori chiefs and family were deposited at the head of the lagoon. They now rest at Arahura. In 2019 a memorial to the Mawhera Maori was erected adjacent to the Greymouth town square on Mawhera Quay.Map^[1]ContributorTony Kokshoorn

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Location (city or town)Greymouth

Category Information

Category TagMaori

From Facebook

Date Created19th February 2024CommentsBen McCabe
So were any of the remains moved before quarrying began?

Joshua Kilkelly
Moe moe ra I te rangatira... one can only hope this post doesent get tarnished with prejudice ... one can only hope prejudice doesent get taught to further generations.

Deni Joan Anderson
What a sad story - when did this happen, does anyone know?

Deni Joan Anderson
O - I asked the question before I read the snip on the photo - still a very sad part of our history

Tony Kokshoorn
Author
Deni Joan Anderson 1881.

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