History – Ship and boat building – Mangawhai Museum

Next week marks the anniversary of the launch of the Daring (1 September, 1863). Built in Mangawhai, this schooner now rests next to Mangawhai Museum awaiting its new home in a purpose-built Daring Discovery Centre extension. The Daring is not the only boat that was built in this area.

The Kaipara River, its inlets, and harbour, historically served as highways for shipping and transportation before the development of modern roads. Initially, these waterways allowed for the movement of tangata whenua|people of the land and kai|food. Over time, more and more goods moved, and timber milling operations entered the timeline. For years, early vessels were paddled or sailed into Kaipara, but eventually, they were also built here.

Around 1883, Tahere Tikitiki II, a waka taua|war canoe, was built on the Kaipara River by Ngāti Whātua carvers under the supervision of Paora Kawharu of Reweti pa, Waimauku, who felled a local kauri to make the vessel. It was 25.6 metres in length, with its widest beam measuring over 1.5 metres. For comparison, Te Waka Rangimārei o Kaiwaka at Kaiwaka School stands more than five metres tall and is 25 metres long.

Experienced shipbuilders Donald McInnes and Donald Hugh McKenzie, of the Nova Scotia settlement at Waipu, came to what European settlers were then referring to as Mangawai and set up shipbuilding yards from the 1850s. Attracted by the ready availability of labourers – including men from the 58th Regiment who settled in the area – they mainly designed and managed the building of cutters and schooners. Where were they building boats exactly? Mangawhai Museum historians refer to the area below Eveline Street as “Shipyard Bay,” one location where boat building occurred through to 1880, though accounts vary. Walter Lawrence also operated a chandlery and boat-building business from his large home on Main Road (now Moir Street), and managed a slipway near the Mangawai Hotel as early as the 1830s.

Mangawhai Museum and Kaipara District Council have collaborated to produce two signs marking the significance of Mangawhai’s ship and boat building past – one sign will be installed at the grass walkway and ramp on Eveline Street, another on one corner of the Robert Street walkway. Be sure to keep an eye out for these additions and enjoy reviewing how the bay once looked alongside the view you can see today.

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Coming up at Mangawhai Museum:

Mon 29 Sep | Author Storytime with Adrienne Joyce, 10.30am by the tram

Fri 24 Oct – Mon 27 Oct | Labour Weekend Book Fair, donations welcome

Fri 31 Oct | Spooky Night, a night of fun for the whole family

Fri 6 Nov | Port Albert+ Bus Tour, watch for tickets going on sale

Thu 27 Nov | Special Exhibition Opening: Storm Zone, step inside an experience.