Rāhui Pōkeka is the original name of Huntly and it's based on the story of a rangatira who placed a rāhui on the rivers in order to replenish the tuna.
Welcome sign at Rāhui Pōkeka Huntly. Photo: Justine Murray
Postmaster James Henry missed his hometown of Huntly in Scotland so much that he named a small Northern Waikato town ‘Huntly’ and it’s been that since 1877.
The Māori name of the town is Rāhui Pōkeka and its origin lies in the foresight of Waikato chief Te Putu who saw a need to replenish a dwindling food source.
Sheryl Matenga is the Chair of the Huntly Community Board and shares the story behind the name.
Te Putu was the great-great-grandfather of the first Māori King Pōtatau Te Wherowhero. Te Putu noticed the fish and eels in their rivers were depleted so he placed a rāhui (a restriction) on the area which forbid gathering kai.
To represent the rāhui in the physical sense Te Putu plucked a feather from his pokeka (cape or cloak) and tied it around the pou and hammered it into the ground.
Clive Kosoof at the clothing store thats operated since 1906. Photo: Justine Murray
If this pou was above the ground the rāhui stayed in place. On occasion Te Putu would hammer this pou further into the ground, after a time once the pou was covered the rāhui was lifted.
As a celebration Te Putu allowed the fishermen to gather kai again and their catch was divided equally amongst the villagers. According to Matenga, this act was called wawahitanga and it’s where the name ‘Waahi’ pa originates.
The release of the rāhui was called ‘Whakanoa’ and is attributed to the name of Lake Hakanoa.
Justine Murray visits Rāhui Pōkeka and finds out more from the locals about their town, the negative media spotlight and yep, the DEKA sign is still there.
Eden Wawatai drove a campaign in Huntly to change the welcome signs to include Rāhui Pōkeka. Photo: Waikato District Council
Joann Hughes and her friend outside a popular spot in Huntly - Rāhui Pōkeka Photo: Justine Murray
