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Story: East Coast places

Kamizono’s Star Billiard Saloon, Te Araroa

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Kamizono’s Star Billiard Saloon, Te Araroa

Morinosuke Kamizono from Japan first came to New Zealand in 1915. He married Hine Wanoa of Ngāti Porou and ran this billiard saloon at Te Araroa until 1938. With the slightly altered spelling of Kamizona, descendants of his still lived in Te Araroa in 2019. Kamizono was preceded on the coast by two other Japanese: Joe Chino, who came in 1900 and settled in Tokomaru Bay, and Hakuichi (Harold) Kunioka, who arrived in 1907 and settled in Ruatōria, returning to Japan in 1952.

Using this item

Alexander Turnbull Library, George Garland Newell Collection (PAColl-4821)

Reference: 1/2-177539; G

Permission of the Alexander Turnbull Library, National Library of New Zealand, Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa, must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

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How to cite this page

Monty Soutar, East Coast places – East Cape, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/33480/kamizonos-star-billiard-saloon-te-araroa (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Monty Soutar, published 23 August 2011, updated 1 March 2015.