Maketū was the place where the Te Arawa canoe landed. It became one of the main Te Arawa tribal settlements, and there is evidence of widespread cultivation in the surrounding hills. Around 1830 the European trader Phillip Tapsell arrived at Maketū, and before long a lucrative trade in dressed flax developed. Te Arawa people wanted to exchange the flax for muskets, to protect themselves from other tribes who had already acquired arms.
Using this item
Te Ara - The Encyclopedia of New Zealand
Photograph by Jock Phillips
This item has been provided for private study purposes (such as school projects, family and local history research) and any published reproduction (print or electronic) may infringe copyright law. It is the responsibility of the user of any material to obtain clearance from the copyright holder.
Add new comment