The Preece Family

Ahikereru Mission, Te Whaiti.

WHEN IN 1847, THE PREECES OPENED A CMS MISSION STATION AT AHIKERERU IN THE UREWERA, NO ROADS EXISTED. THIS PHOTOGRAPH TAKEN IN 2003 SHOWS A GRAVEL ROAD WINDING DOWN STEEPLY INTO THE TE WHAITI VALLEY FROM THE DIRECTION OF LAKE WAIKAREMOANA

[Look at other parts of the PREECE STORY by following the links to the Index page.]

Following the arrival of Bishop Selwyn in 1842, there was considerable disquiet amongst the Old Brigade of the Church Missionary Society. The new bishop was "High Church". He had strong ideas about church governance. His plans for the New Zealand Church and Maori missions had been formulated before setting foot in New Zealand. Selwyn eventually invited a few catechists to attend College for training with a view to becoming deacons. The Bishop's plan was to place educated and gentlemanly churchmen of his own choosing, in places where there many European settlers. Lay missionaries on the other hand were to be located amongst Maori people.

The Bishop proposed relocating the Preeces to the remote mountainous Urewera country in the Eastern Bay of Plenty. They were to establish a mission amongst the Maori in the upland Te Whaiti Valley, at Ahikereru. The Reverend Dudley and his wife were to take over at Thames.

THIS PHOTOGRAPH TAKEN IN 2003, SHOWS SOME OF THE STAND OF COTTONWOOD TREES ON THE EDGE OF THE WHIRINAKI RIVER. THESE SEEM TO MARK THE SITE OF THE OLD MISSION HOUSE AND GROUNDS.

James Preece was delighted with the opportunity. At the time he believed that the Bishop had promised him ordination. After receiving his letter of instruction from the Bishop, in May 1846 he made an exploratory journey to the Urewera. He was full of religious zeal, enthusiasm and ideas. On the way he visited the Maori village of Ohinemutu, and stayed with the Chapmans at their station at Te Ngae on the shores of Lake Rotorua. Preece recorded that he was "well received" by the people at Te Whaiti. However, during this journey he became seriously ill. Upon reaching Auckland it was feared for some time that he would not recover. Back at the Hauraki station, he was briefly visited by the Bishop.

Plans for the new mission went ahead. A schooner was chartered to take the family and goods via Tauranga to Matata on the easten shores of the Bay of Plenty. Harriett and Eliza ("Lizzy") were to stay in Auckland and attend Mrs Tucker's school, while "a little boy" (who must have been Wathen) was left with the Reverend Maunsell and family. Maunsell was attending a translation committee, and had taken a house in Auckland.

The schooner Fortitude left at the end of October 1846. On the way to their new house, Mrs Preece and the younger children stayed for some time with the Chapmans possibly at Te Ngae, while James went on ahead. Harriett's grand-daughters believed that Harriett accompanied her mother at this time, and was one of the party which first arrived at Ahikereru. Being ill, Harriett had not been left behind at school in Auckland.

MURUMURURUNGA MARAE AT TE WHAITI PHOTOGRAPHED IN 2003, SHOWING ERIPITANA MEETING HOUSE TO THE LEFT.

Meanwhile arrangements were under way for the new mission station. At that time there were no roads at all to Ahikereru, and no transport, apart from canoes which could be taken as far as possible up the Rangitaiki River. Native bearers carried the loads on their backs for the last part of the journey.

At James's request, a "native house" had been built at Te Whaiti to receive his family. A small area for garden and fields was fenced. A chapel had been built prior to the Preece's arrival. According to the Rev Alfred Brown it was "a beautiful specimen of native workmanship".

James immediately set about establishing the mission. His goal was to expound Christian truths and also to teach the people useful skills.

The Ngati Whare people had provided about sixty acres on land running south from the Whirinaki River. Tutaengaro Stream formed an eastern boundary. The area was then called Te Rua. It was adjacent to Murumurunga papakainga, and across the Whirinaki river from Ahikereru pa.

ELSDON BEST'S SKETCH PLAN OF THE TE WHAITI AREA.

In Alfred Preece's words, "A piece of land was given him here. About sixty acres. Named Te Rua. Commencing at the mouth of Tutaengaro stream following up same to Te Pari thence westerly to the fence of the church yard, thence northerly into Whirinaki river, down same to starting point. This land was given by Te Whakaaru, Te Parata, Matiu, Kuratau, Hamiora Potakurua, and Iharaira Ohau and all Ngatiwhare, and also by a chief of Ngati Manawa." [Alfred Azariah Preece, evidence given at the 1907 Urewera Commission.]

I am a story-teller rather than a historian. I would welcome assistance in compiling these records. Can anyone draw me a plan with mission house, church, cemetery and boundaries included?]

THIS LARGE DECIDUOUS COTTONWOOD TREE STANDS IN A GROUP ON LAND WHICH ONCE FORMED THE MISSION GROUNDS. PHOTOGRAPHED IN 2003. NOTE THE DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE MARKER-TAG HIGH UP ON THE TRUNK.

The mission appears to have extended over both sides of the present Te Whaiti to Minginui Road, near its junction with Farm Road.

Accounts of the mission house place it near a river, while the mission chapel, of pit-sawn timber with a raupo roof, probably stood on the upper terrace to the south of the Minginui Road, that is, "on the hillock" above the mission house. While no record has yet come to light, the cemetery belonging to the mission seems to have been the one adjacent to the river, where infant Charles Thomas Preece is buried. Other graves are there. This area is immediately to the west of the mission site (cottonwood trees), and is at present covered by a pine plantation*.

*By August 2004 "the undergrowth under the pines next to the mission site has been cleared. In doing this they uncovered the site of young Charles' grave. The site is marked with a yellow post with a Historic Places Trust tag on it."

"...it used to have a minature picket fence around it (about a foot to eighteen inches high) consisting of hand-made, quite intricately designed pickets."

James Preece had been asked to establish single-handedly a new mission in one of the most isolated parts of the country. It was an impossible task for one man. Consider building a weather-board house of pit-sawn heart of totara for his family, and then building a fourteen roomed mission building (a boarding establishment) for his teachers' school. At the same time he was instructing his pupils in the practical skills of pit-sawing, building, carpentry etc. At one time there were forty pupils attending, many of them boarders. Preece was on his feet from 7am till 8pm.

When Preece arrived, Ahikereru was a palisaded pa, and most of the congregation were at some distance from the mission. Preece persuaded them come down from the hill-tops and cultivate their land. Many moved closer to the mission. Some could already read, but scriptural knowledge was scanty. Preece established a system of native teachers in local communities. He gave religious instruction at Ahikereru and at surrounding villages in his care. He prepared candidates for Baptism. He regularly travelled great distance over extremely rugged terrain. In 1850 he made six circuits on foot of the whole of the Ruatahuna and Waikaremoana region. As well, during the early 1850's he was instrumental in negotiating a peaceful outcome when the Hauraki chief Taraia led a war party to Whirinaki. James Preece did his best to fulfil his duties.

DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION ARCHAEOLOGICAL MARKER AT THE MISSION SITE. THE AREA WAS LATER THE SITE OF AN ARMED CONSTABULARY DEPOT.

Later records say of the mission: "The site said to be a mile south of the Te Whaiti village, with acacias, chestnut trees, barberry, hawthorn, honeysuckle, cherry and peach trees, said to be still marking the spot in 1934. The house was substantial, the walls built of rough hewn timber and the roof shingled. The stud was eight foot, the roof very steeply pitched. There were four or five rooms. The house faced north, and in front a grassed lawn ran down to the bank of the Whirinaki River. There was a strong fence to keep out marauderers and the numerous wild pigs."

James kept a good garden, and his daughter Harriett recalled the delicious strawberries which her father had grown while at Te Whaiti. There was a vegetable garden and fruit trees. Most food and all staples however, had to be carried in the sixty miles from the coast.

As he made his rounds, James would plant peach stones and other fruit seeds (peach stones were saved for him for this purpose). He is also said to have scattered convolvulus seeds while on his long bush journeys, in order to brighten the dense green of the bush. Perhaps the hawthorne trees (originally planted for hedges) in the valley may be attributed to Preece. Hawthorne berries now form an important part of the native wood pigeon's diet. Accacia trees were planted at all mission stations and for many years an accacia grove marked the site of the mission.

A pencil sketch map, drawn by James Preece (preserved by his grand-daughter Marnie Spicer and now in the Auckland City Library) shows his missionary circuits. Some took him from Te Whaiti to Tutu Tarata pa, thence via Tauroa kaianga and the Waiohau flats to the Te Teko landing. Here he would get a rest by travelling in a canoe down the Rangitaiki and Orini rivers to Pupuarahe [Whakatane]. Next he would visit Ruatoki and Nga Mahanga. From there he could traverse the ranges to reach the the Waikare River. After crossing this at Te Kaunga he would next visit the Waikare whenua and then on to Maungapohatu. [s40]

Another journey took the route which later formed the bridle track from Te Whaiti and Ruatahuna. Once a year he would widen his circuit to include Lake Waikeremoana, and after crossing the lake by canoe, he would visit settlements on the other side. William Colenso, coming from the Napier district, would also visit the Waikeremoana area once a year. James remarked that he had seen all the country between Auckland and Ahuriri.

PREECE DESCENDANTS HAVE MADE FREQUENT TRIPS TO TE WHAITI IN SEARCH OF THE MISSION. THIS PHOTOGRAPH TAKEN IN 1991, SHOWS THE AREA BELIEVED BY THE LATE PITA IRAIA TO HAVE BEEN THE SITE OF THE MISSION CHURCH.

At his winter school for teachers Preece taught reading, writing, and arithmetic as well as religious studies. Practical skills which he taught included pit - sawing timber and carpentering. His wheel-wright skills encouraged each trainee to fashion his own plough. His enthusiasm for agriculture ensured planting large areas of wheat.

On a practical level, he was instrumental in introducing farming to the Ngati Whare. He brought in horses, a cow, sheep, goats and pigs. With the Ngati Whare, he introduced wheat cropping, and established flour mills in the area.

Mrs Preece's role at Ahikereru has not been recorded, but the women in the family taught scripture, reading and sewing.

James reported to the CMS in 1849 or 1850 as follows: "From June 1st to September 1st I was engaged at home with a school for sixteen of my native teachers and assistant teachers, to whom I gave five hours' instruction every day, and three hours' instruction each day in sawing, carpentering etc. Several of them made very good progress and now are ... much more useful to the people with whom they reside. To supply the means of instruction for my natives, and for the assistance of my native teachers, I have prepared an explanation of the whole of the church catechism in native, containing 266 questions and answers, with nearly 800 references from scripture, which have proved very useful."

A history of the CMS mission pointed out to English readers: "The charge of an immense district was often left to one individual. The case would be somewhat parallel if a clergy were required to intinerate between London and York on foot, and then between London and Southampton, officiating at places on the road, varying in distance from ten to twenty miles; and then, when he is at home, having charge, in addition to other matters, of three hundred candidates for baptism, and of seven hundred regular attendants at Bible-classes, who have been left in the interval, not to the care of competent curates, but to teachers who themselves required to be taught the first principles of the oracle of God." [STOCK/1//446]

The Preece children had been hearing and speaking Maori since infancy. They came home from their Auckland school for the long summer holidays. They "bathed" in the cold stream that ran past the end of their garden. They gathered berries in the bush, and wrote letters to their friends in Auckland. The boys accompanied Maori boys on expeditions to trap native pigeon. They went with their father on some of his journeys around the Eastern Bay of Plenty and the Urewera.

The Preece's last child Charles Thomas Preece was born at Te Rua, Ahikereru on October 13th, 1847 at the Mission, but died there in 1849. His death notice appeared in the New Zealander as follows: Charles Thomas Preece: "Suddenly, at the Mission Station, Ahikereru, 27th August 1849, Charles Thomas, sixth son of Mr J Preece, aged 1 yr 10 mths. [NZ'er 27 Oct 1849.] His tiny grave in the mission cemetery was surrounded by wrought iron railing or possibly a picket fence, which was still visible in the 1980's. Perhaps the grieving father fashioned the rails himself. Roses and pansies were planted on the grave. For more than one hundred and fifty years the little graveyard was tended by local people. It was recently covered by pine plantation.

Mrs Preece was helped by Maori women living in the household. One nurse-girl was named Roha. Another was Ripeka.

Many years later, during the pursuit of Te Kooti in the Urewera, Colonel Whitmore's column attacked and captured Harema Pa, which lay a short distance from the Ahikereru mission. Lieutenant George Preece was present. Unfortunately Ripeka's husband was amongst the dead defenders. After the pa fell, Ripeka ran up to George and threw her arms about his legs. George had been one of her infant charges. After the attack, Whitmore used the old mission as headquarters.

In 1849 the Preeces also employed a European girl, Eliza Waggett, as nursemaid. However it was a time of lonliness and social isolation. Mrs Preece seldom had opportunity of travelling to the coast to be with other European women.

There was a cow for the children's milk, and pigs, but all supplies had to be brought sixty miles inland in bundles on Maori backs.

Winters were bitterly cold. The family suffered great privation. James Preece's winter school started well, but his Maori students could not tolerate the cold, and it seems that the endeavour had to be given up when student numbers fell away.

By 1850 Preece was again seriously ill. His eyes were so inflamed and he could hardly see to write. During the first six months of the year, he had spent sixty-eight days travelling, covering over 700 miles through the rugged terrain of the region. It was particularly difficult when James could not see. On one occasion he had a bad fall down a rocky trail. He split his head open and was probably concussed for some weeks. Sometimes the boys accompanied their father as his eyes and general helper, on trips into the mountains.

THE LATE MR PITA IRAIA OF TE WHAITI BELIEVED THAT THE MISSION CHURCH STOOD ON THIS PLATEAU [UNDER MY FEET] WHICH OVERLOOKS THE COTTONWOOD TREES AND MISSION HOUSE SITE. NOTE THE GROUP OF ALMOST BARE COTTONWOOD TREES, JUST BEYOND THE LINES OF HAWTHORN HEDGING. THE MINGINUI ROAD IS OBSCURED BY HEDGES RUNNING ACROSS THE FOREGROUND.

During the 1850's, the Preeces were caught up with changes in the CMS. Allowances previously given to mission families were cut, so that the Preeces could no longer keep their children at school in Auckland. With no options, the children were brought home, and Harriett, only a little older than Eliza and Wathen, was supposed to be teaching them. A great hue and cry ensued amongst the pious brethren, and matters were soon arranged to allow the Preece children to return to school. In 1852, Wathen was attending Mr Kempthorne's school in Auckland. However, Wathen did not like his schoolmaster or his school.

Intermittent skirmishing continued between rival tribal factions. Sometimes the family would gather up their valuables and hide them under the floor boards, before James Preece ventured out to meet the contestants. At other times he camped between the warring parties. Having gained the word of each contender that neither should fire the first shot, he waited until matters were settled. During these events he used all his skills to bring about peace.

Meanwhile, events in the wider world continued to affect the Preeces. In 1851 gold was discovered in the Kapanga Stream in Coromandel not far from the Preece land. Auckland's population now exceeded nine thousand. There were many more settlers in Auckland's outlying areas, including the Thames. The Parawai mission house had been repaired. In 1853 the Colony became self-governing. The new colonial legislature promoted settler interests and was antagonistic towards the missions. The Maori King movement had begun.

At Ahikereru the Preece family had suffered sickness and great hardship in the bitter winters. The school for training native teachers could not be continued, because of the cold. James Preece proposed that the family spend the winter months at Whakatane, where it was warmer, while continuing to visit the high country in the summer. Accordingly, in July 1852 the family moved into a rush house at Pupuaruhe near Whakatane.

At this time, some of the family's furniture and goods remained at Ahikereru. Most were transported by canoe and human pack-loads. An over-turned canoe brought about considerable loss of property.

By 1854, other catechists from the CMS had been made deacon, or been ordained as priest. Preece again asked the bishop to consider him for the deaconate, as it was important for his missionary work. The bishop declined.

Many others of the CMS men and women were aged, most were ill, or had died. They had lived and worked in poor conditions, often surviving on a very poor diet. Stress and constant toil also compromised their health. For the Preeces, financial worries, the logistics of running a mission so far from civilization, altercations with the "Pihopa" (Roman Catholic) sects, and the lack of support from immediate superiors took their toll. Shortly after his move to Whakatane, James Preece became totally incapacitated. He went to Auckland for medical aid.

Meanwhile, the Preece's first daughter Harriett, who had been teaching in Mrs Tucker's school in Auckland, become engaged to Archie Spicer. They married in 1854. The next sister Eliza, having completed her schooling, was living at Whakatane, helping with the household chores and looking after her little brothers. In October 1852 the first son Wathen would have turned fifteen. It is possible that the Preeces were able to keep him at school a little longer by using their "private means". Wathen and his younger brothers were putting in crops at Whakatane, including potatoes. Alfred, born in June 1844, retained vivid memories of his early life in the Urewera and Whakatane.

NOTE. Regarding the Preece men. There has been considerable and on-going mis-information and confusion. Most biographical dictionaries confuse these men. [In my opinion it is not good enough to say "Preece" did this or that, without taking the trouble to find out who exactly is the subject of the comment. These men were individuals. Without exception they were honourable men.]

The father was Mr James Preece, who was never ordained.

His first son James Wathen Preece was known as Wathen.

The next son William Henry born 1841 was disabled.

The next son was named Samuel Marsden.

Next came Alfred Azariah, who remembered his time at Ahikereru so vividly.

Then came George Augustus, Captain, who won the New Zealand Cross at Ngatapa.

Lastly came Charles Thomas who was also disabled, and died at Ahikereru.

It is well to remember that some Maori children were baptised with the names of the Preece children. Another Wathen and another Alfred have been recorded.

Back to the story. It was a difficult time for missionaries, the Maori, and the missions. Time had moved on. The physical strength of the combined missionary body was failing. Maori, wanting market rates for their labour, were no longer willing to work for the Church Missionary Society. Bishop Selwyn seemed more concerned with the structure of the Anglican church than with the needs of the missions. Political will for the government to provide financial support to native schools fell away.

In England contributions to mission funds were falling, and as a further cost-saving measure, the London committee withdrew travelling expenses. How could an itinerating missionary continue?

James Preece was not able to carry out his duties. He sought medical advice from two doctors in Auckland, who stated that he needed mental and physical rest. The Preece family moved most of their goods to Coromandel, intending to live in retirement on the land which they had purchased in 1836. However, the Bishop and the CMS in London felt that he should continue at his post.

THESE PHOTOGRAPHS TAKEN IN 1987 SHOW PART OF THE ROAD BETWEEN TE WHAITI AND WAIKAREMOANA.

For the last time James Preece returned with some of his children to Ahikereru. He left the mission in Charge of his head teacher, Hamiora Potakura, who faithfully carried out his duties.

When in more troubled times, during the pursuit of Te Kooti, Colonel Whitmore commandeered the Ahikereru mission as his headquarters, George Preece found the furniture and china which had been left behind under the care of Hamiora Potakura remained "absolutely intact". It was not long however, before soldiers quartering themselves in the buildings, had smashed windows and broken doors off their hinges.

The children helped with the preparations for the move from Whakatane. In April 1856, James Preece, Eliza, Wathen and Alfred boarded the Hariata for Coromandel. Wathen had just harvested his potatoes. James Preece soon returned to Whakatane because the London committee of the Church Missionary Society had not "sanctioned" his move or his retirement. The Committee stated that he should remain at his post. His should be "a labour of love". Preece believed that it was suicide. There was to be no retiring allowance.

What did the Preeces achieve at Te Whaiti? Looking back, it would seem that a great measure of skill and independence had been given to many of the people whom he taught. [If the Preeces had failed in their mission, who else would have succeeded?] James felt that his time at Te Whaiti was, above all other endeavours, the high point of his missionary career.

Eventually James Preece received a grant from the C M S, but not a regular retirement allowance. Later he received a small income from the Government.

Some memory of the Preece's ministry remains to this day in the region.

Look at other parts of the Preece story by following the links to the Index page.

In 1917 Sister Annie Henry established a Presbyterian mission in the Urewera. Twenty years later the Te Whaiti Nui-a-Toi Presbyterian agricultural school and training farm was set up at Te Whaiti on approximately the same area as the Preece's mission.

The present Te Whaiti public school (on a ridge overlooking the old mission site) was established in 1896 as a Native School. It has gained distinction in its support of language and culture, while at the same time making opportunities for children to practise computer skills. The school has its own website.

HILARY BULL HOLDING ONTO A LARGE COTTONWOOD TREE, ONE IN A GROVE OF OLD TREES GROWING AT THE MISSION SITE ON THE BANKS OF THE WHIRINAKI RIVER.

CAN ANYONE DRAW THE MISSION BOUNDARIES (DESCRIBED BY ALFRED PREECE) ON A MAP? HILARY WOULD BE GRATEFUL FOR HELP WITH THESE RECORDS.

NOTE: This has been a journey of discovery. I am a story-teller. I have no axe to grind nor anything to gain from this work but the satisfaction of telling the Preece story. I feel very close to them. Please let me know if the information on these pages is not correct, or if you are able to contribute to the story. Are there any more memories to add to this record? Click here to email me.

[Look at other parts of the PREECE STORY by clicking on this link to the Index page.]

Updated August 28 2004, January 2005, August 2005.