Augustus Earle, 1793–1838
In 1827 and 1828 English artist Augustus Earle spent eight months in Hokianga and the Bay of Islands. He painted and sketched Māori people, making a sensitive record of their domestic and customary activities.
Ara anō he whānuitanga kei Ngā Tāngata Taumata Rau
(Ka tuwhera anc mai te pae tukutuku nei ki te matapihi hōu)
Rehutai Maihi, 1895–1967
In 1932 Rehutai Maihi of Ngāpuhi launched a Māori-language newspaper, Aotearoa, and edited and printed it herself at various places around Northland during the 1930s and 1940s. Although the paper was not a commercial success, it was a remarkable achievement, especially as, unlike other Māori-language newspapers at the time, it was not supported by a church.
Ara anō he whānuitanga kei Ngā Tāngata Taumata Rau
(Ka tuwhera anc mai te pae tukutuku nei ki te matapihi hōu)
Mary Jane Mander, 1877–1949
Journalist and novelist Jane Mander spent much of her childhood in the north. Although she was eager to escape the stultifying atmosphere of New Zealand in the early 20th century, she drew heavily on her youthful experiences for her most famous novel, The story of a New Zealand river (1920). Later novels, including The passionate puritan (1922), The strange attraction (1923) and Allen Adair (1925) were also set in Northland.
Ara anō he whānuitanga kei Ngā Tāngata Taumata Rau
(Ka tuwhera anc mai te pae tukutuku nei ki te matapihi hōu)
Frederick Edward Maning, 1811/1812?–1883
F. E. Maning arrived at the Hokianga Harbour in search of profit and adventure in 1832. He soon took on the role of Pākehā–Māori, enjoying a rough, simple life and entering relationships with Māori women. His recollections formed the basis for Old New Zealand: a tale of the good old times, which became a classic after its publication in 1863.
Ara anō he whānuitanga kei Ngā Tāngata Taumata Rau
(Ka tuwhera anc mai te pae tukutuku nei ki te matapihi hōu)
Ruth Miriam Ross, 1920–1982
Historian Ruth Ross moved with her husband and family from Wellington to Northland in 1955. There she furthered her interest in the history of the Treaty of Waitangi, and developed an encyclopedic knowledge of Northland history.
Ara anō he whānuitanga kei Ngā Tāngata Taumata Rau
(Ka tuwhera anc mai te pae tukutuku nei ki te matapihi hōu)
William Arthur Satchell, 1861–1942
Novelist William Satchell lived for a time at Hokianga, and his experiences there informed two of his novels, The land of the lost and The toll of the bush. In these works the Northland landscape of pioneering days in the 19th century is vividly rendered.
Ara anō he whānuitanga kei Ngā Tāngata Taumata Rau
(Ka tuwhera anc mai te pae tukutuku nei ki te matapihi hōu)
James Wright, 1819–1887
In the mid-1870s James Wright established a pottery at the Albertland settlement of Paparoa, on Kaipara Harbour. His work was highly praised, but difficulties in selling his wares led him to shift south and change the focus of his craft.
Ara anō he whānuitanga kei Ngā Tāngata Taumata Rau
(Ka tuwhera anc mai te pae tukutuku nei ki te matapihi hōu)
