History of the Paremata Area

 Early Māori Occupancy

It is believed that the legendary Polynesian explorer Kupe landed at Paremata Point in the tenth century AD when he sailed into the Porirua harbour in his canoe Matahorua.  Te Punga o Matahorua, Kupe’s anchor stone, was located nearby to the East of the Ngati Toa domain until recently when it was moved to the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa.

Archaeologists have established that there was a settlement at Paremata Point at least as early as 1450 AD and it has been almost continuously occupied since.  These early people made camps surrounded by untouched forests and harbours.  From studying these camps it is known that they lived on forest birds; including seven different species of moa, huia, kaka, kiwi, takahe, New Zealand hawk, and tui, as well as on the abundant fish available here.

Over the next 400 years there were settlements of various Māori tribes at this site.  These probably included Ngati Tara, Ngati Rangi, and Ngati Ira, all of whom lived in this region at various times.

Ngati Toa Settlement

Ngati Toa, led by the chiefs Te Rauparaha, Te Pehi Kupe, and Te Rangihaeata, arrived here from Kawhia in the early 1820s and soon became the dominant local tribe.  Te Rauparaha, the paramount chief of Ngati Toa, established a settlement at Taupo (now Plimmerton); and the tohunga of Ngati Toa, Nohorua, had a pa at Paremata Point.

 

The Paremata Barracks

The Paremata Barracks

The Paremata Story

The Paremata Story

If you’re interested in reading further about the contemporary history of our Village we recommend ‘The Paremata Story’ written by local residents Barbara Heath and Helen Balham.  The book, first published in 1994, covers the development of the Paremata area from the 1820’s until the last decade of the 20th century.

A few copies of the book may still be available from the Residents Association.  To confirm availability please email our Secretary at [email protected]. Payment is by Internet transfer to Paremata Residents Association Inc, account number 389012-0506915-00.  Please ensure you identify yourself by name in the reference box under ‘Details on their statement’.

   

 
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