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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Auckland Provincial District]

Whirinaki

Whirinaki is a native settlement in Hokianga, 208 miles north of Auckland and sixteen miles from Rawene. The population consists almost entirely of natives, who cultivate a large extent of land and possess a number of live stock of all kinds. The dwellings of the natives are numerous and grouped together in a beautiful valley about 700 acres in extent. Large quantities of maize and potatoes are grown, as the natives are more than usually industrious, and they also show great interest in the education of their children. Whirinaki Valley is formed of rich alluvial deposit yielding splendid crops; and sub-tropical fruits, especially oranges and lemons, grow to great perfection. The settlement is one of long standing and of great tribal importance, being an ancient ancestral burial place of many noted warriors and chiefs of the Ngapuhi nation. Now
Whirinaki River.

Whirinaki River.

page 619 there is a semi-Europeanised appearance about it with its fine new native school-house, post and telephone office, all of which are in the charge of Mr. C. P. Winkelmann, who displays uncommon interest in the Maori population. Many of the natives, who are nearly all half-castes or quarter-castes, have comfortable, well-built houses.