archaeology and history of human occupation - Auckland Regional ...

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Sometime during 1870's to 1880's or perhaps earlier, the Crown granted her 300
acres including a bay originally known as Otarawao Bay which means 'haven 1 or
'last refuge of shelter' - now also known as Sullivan Bay.
Julia Sullivan married William Benjamin Jackson of Dublin and they toad 12
children. William, variously a gum merchant, timber merchant and shipwright who
lost a lot of money in the Waihi Goldmines, took possession of the land and the
family lived there permanently from the 1880's. The land was cleared by William
and his sons for farming, not an easy task and as a result two of the boys died of
pneumonia and consumption.
A two storeyed kauri house was built but unfortunately it burnt down in 1890.
Another was built, also to be used as a guest house around the turn of the century.
The bottom half of this house remains in place (now the rangers residence), the top
half was taken two bays north to Opahi for another family member to live in (it
now belongs to the Baptist Church).
Around the turn of the century Otarawao Bay was known as Jacksons Bay.
However, in the early 1900's Captain William Sullivan returned to the area with a
young wife and family. Finding it hard to settle, his sister Julia had a house built
for them on the hill (the present Senior Ranger's house).
In 1914 Julia (nee Sullivan) died followed by her husband William Jackson in
1917. Since WW I the Sullivan side of the family has looked after most of the
property - Otarawao Bay by then also known as Sullivan Bay.
Julia Jackson died leaving no will and as is the custom the land passed to her eldest
son, Captain John Jackson. He had little interest in the land and sold it to his
uncle, William Sullivan, for a small sum on a gentlemen's agreement. It is William
Sullivan's second wife Ngarewa from which Ngarewa Drive takes its name.
The Sullivans kept one end of the beach and sold the rest to the Schischkas, part of
which was then sold to a Mr Olsen (Perfection Textiles) and the land passed to the
„ ... ...:, Auckland RegionalAuthority in 1968 at a time when applications were being made
by the owner to have it zoned for urban development. Up until 1972 the land was
I leased to Mr Olsen and the Schischka. The Authority then appointed a resident
1 staff member to maintain and gradually develop the land. The last land bought was
the 15ha Tungutu block completed by 1984.
Otarawao/Sullivan Bay is the site of the annual Mahurangi Regatta. The regatta
was first held in 1858 and sporadically thereafter. It was revived in 1977 by The
Friends of The Mahurangi Inc. and (weather permitting) it has been held each year
since on the Saturday of the Auckland Anniversary holiday weekend.
Te Muri Area
In 1973, the ARA acquired 120 acres at Te Muri from Mr V Schischka under the
i| Public Works Act. The land included a small cemetery which was part of Chief Te
1 Hemara Tauhia's kaainga, about 120 years ago when burials began hi the late
1860's. There are more than a hundred people buried in the 0.2ha graveyard
|f however most of the graves are unnamed although some records of burial are
available. The two pohutukawa trees are Tapu (sacred).
By decree of Chief Te Hemara, European settlers could also be buried as several
had married into the Maori community.
;f A small wooden Anglican Church was established at Te Muri around 1872 with its
i^v.,^ minister the Rev William Pomare, thought to be the first Maori ordained Minister
^ 5f in New Zealand.