About Rangihoua

Rore Kahu, the wing-roofed and rammed earth building a short walk from the carpark

Rore Kāhu at Rangihoua Heritage Park

Rangihoua – a place of accord

Take a walk through history, along pathways trodden by Māori hapū (clans) for centuries, and then by the first Pākehā missionary settlers, who landed in 1814.

This was a unique time – a time when Māori and Pākehā forged partnerships in a spirit of cooperation and hope. Each saw, in the other, new opportunities to be explored and seized.

However, history rarely writes itself in the way people expect, and both groups soon had to deal with events that dashed their first hopes, and created ripples far beyond this region.

The Development of Rangihoua Heritage Park

Rangihoua Heritage Park was opened on 21 December 2014 by His Excellency Lieutenant General the Right Honourable Sir Jerry Mateparae, Governor-General of New Zealand. This was followed by the Christmas Day bicentennial of the Rev Samuel Marsden’s first Christian service.

The Park was established by the Marsden Cross Trust Board together with its partners Ngāti Torehina, the Rangihoua Native Reserve Board and the Department of Conservation. The prime objective is to inform and educate the people of New Zealand and visitors from abroad of the significance of Rangihoua and the events of 1814 and the years that followed.

Marsden Cross Trust Board

The Board is an ecumenical body, supported by the Anglican Diocese of Auckland, formed to acquire this historic land and develop the Park.

At the time of the opening its Trustees were:

  • Mr John King - Chairman
  • The Right Rev Richard Randerson
  • The Right Rev Te Kitohi Pikaahu
  • The Hon Robert Smellie
  • The Rev Dr Allan Davidson
  • Mr Richard Blundell
  • Mr John Street
  • Mr John Whitehead
What we do

Marsden Cross Trust Board Partners

Ngāti Torehina and the Rangihoua Native Reserve Board supported the project led by Hugh Rihari, the Kaumatua of Ngāti Torehina.

The Department of Conservation, the owner of the Marsden Cross reserve, also supported the project and included the reserve in the Park.

Consultants and Advisers

The principal consultants and advisers who contributed
to the establishment of the Park were:

  • Pip Cheshire – Architect
  • Ken Gorbey – Museum Consultant
  • Steve Bramley – Project Manager
  • Chris Hay – Creative Director, Locales
  • Patricia Bawden – Historian
  • Lesley Anderson – Secretary/Treasurer MCTB

Friends of the Park

Would you like to become a Friend of Rangihoua Heritage Park, and support its growth and development?

Become a friend