Turuturu Mokai

“Turuturu Mokai” is one of the oldest fortifications built by Maori in New Zealand and was fought over during the Taranaki Land Wars of the 1860s. Situated just outside the South Taranaki town of Hawera, it was once a former public reserve and popular playground. However, in recent years the Ngati Tupaia controlled reserve has […]

Turuturu

Hawera, Taranaki, NZ, Dec 2012: The historic Maori pa site of Turuturumōkai, as of mid 2012 was in a terrible state of neglect. However in the duration, a group of local volunteers have taken it upon themselves to return this important maori (and pakeha) archaological site to how it used to look. It’s fantastic that […]

The Tower

The iconic Hawera water tower has watched over this South Taranaki town for a century now. Standing at 55 meters high, the tower was saved from demolition after years of neglect in the 80s/90s had made it unsafe. Hawera (or “Te Hawera”) literally means ‘the burnt place’, and originates after an incident between two feuding […]

Hospitalized – part 3

Hawera, Taranaki, NZ, Dec 2011: More images documenting the last days of the doomed Hawera Hospital. These were from my third visit to the derelict and semi-demolished former Hospital. Part 1 is here – part 2 here… Within a month it would be gone, without a trace…

Turuturumōkai

Hawera, Taranaki, NZ June 2012: Turuturumokai is a former Maori pā (fortifified village) situated just outside the South Taranaki town of Hawera. Originally there were three pā linked together with a population of around 400 people. In the 16th century there was an attack on Turuturu Mokai by a neighbouring pa. They failed with grave consequences, […]

Burnt Place

Hawera, Taranaki, NZ, June 2012: Another fire gutted building, this time in the town I grew up in, Hawera. The town has seen many major fires over the years, in pre-colonial times and during the early days of “Pakeha” settlement in particular. This led to the building of Hawera’s iconic concrete water tower. The Maori […]

Hospitalized – part 2

Hawera, Taranaki, November 2011: These pictures are from the second foray into the derelict Hawera Hospital… Most of the interior shots were taken inside the reception area in the main building. Click here for part 1… Canon EOS 30D/18-55is

Hospitalized – part 1

Hawera, Taranaki, New Zealand, Nov 2011: The former Hawera hospital has been abandoned for at least a decade. The 80+ year old hospital once accommodated 116 patients, the new modern “clinic” that sits adjacent to the ruins has 16 beds. This hospital once contained the full range of services, including an A&E, surgery, x-ray dept, […]

Wahi

Wahi beach, Hawera, Taranaki, NZ, 2011: Shot this over the weekend at one of the beaches near my home town of Hawera. Wahi beach isn’t a great beach for swimming because of all the rocks, but the rocks are fantastic… Canon EOS 30D/18-55is