New sculptures to celebrate Maori-Pakeha union at Clendon House
New Zealand Historic Places Trust Information Release
11 June 2008
An important historic union between New Zealand's founding cultures is
to be celebrated at the historic Clendon House in Rawene on June 29.
Two Poupou representing James and Jane Clendon carved by local artist
Nopera Pikari, will be unveiled and blessed at a dawn ceremony at the
esplanade entrance to Clendon House on June 29.
"Clendon House is the last home of James Reddy Clendon - a hugely
significant figure in the first powerful encounters between Maori and
Pakeha. His wife Jane also has an amazing tale of perseverance in the
face of incredible odds," says Lindsay Charman, the Property Supervisor
of the New Zealand Historic Places Trust's property.
"The Hokianga is home to one of this country's longest established
Maori-Pakeha communities, and the tradition of a harmonious and bicultural
interdependence - symbolized by the poupou - continues to this day,"
says Lindsay.
"James Reddy Clendon was one of New Zealand's earliest traders and
ship-owners. He was also a witness to New Zealand's Declaration of Independence,
the first United State Consul in New Zealand and a signatory of the Treaty
of Waitangi. As well as this, he was Chairman of New Zealand's first bank,
a member of our first Legislative Council, the country's first Police
Magistrate, and later Resident Magistrate at Hokianga."
Clendon's wife Jane was the daughter of Dennis Browne Cochrane and Takotowi
Te Whata of Mangamuka, who was connected by whakapapa to some of the most
notable whanau in the Hokianga.
The blessing ceremony will commence at dawn (6am) with a powhiri/karakia
led by Rawene kaumatua, Horotai Tito. The korowai (cloaks) woven by local
weavers connected to the descendents of the Clendon family will be placed
on the two Poupou.
People are invited to take part in a procession along Clendon Esplanade
to where the carvings will be officially unveiled at 10am at the base
of the path that leads to Clendon House. This will be followed by morning
tea at Rawene Town Hall and speeches commemorating the inspirational life
and achievements of James and Jane Clendon.
For more information please contact:
Lindsay Charman, Supervisor
Clendon House
Rawene
Tel: 09 405 7874
Email: clendon@historic.org.nz
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