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Hōne Heke

Also known asHōne Wiremu Heke Pōkai Last edited by: Jennifer Gow

BiographyHōne Wiremu Heke Pōkai, born Heke Pōkai and later often referred to as Hōne Heke, was a highly influential Māori rangatira of the Ngāpuhi iwi and a fearless war leader in northern New Zealand.
He was born at Pakaraka, inland from the Bay of Islands. His uncle was the chief Hongi Hika. Heke was educated at the Church Missionary Society (CMS) mission school in Kerikeri for two years, in 1824 and 1825. He studied Christianity and later became a lay reader for the Church of England.
Despite his education and exposure to the missionaries and their ways, Hōne remained essentially a warrior. He was an imposing figure at around six feet tall with a confident and forceful nature. As a descendant of the prominent chief Rāhiri, Heke had mana and influence amongst his people. He supported the Treaty of Waitangi but soon became disillusioned with it when he saw chiefly authority eroding. Viewing the British flag as a symbol of the subjugation of his people, Heke or his men cut down the British flagpole at Kororāreka (Russell) four times. In the subsequent skirmishes at Kororāreka, he ensured the Anglican Church and Catholic Bishop's house and printing press were spared from harm. He had no argument with the settlers but did not trust the British Government.
Heke fought at many battle locations, including Kororāreka, Waipapa, and Ōhaeawai, proving himself to be a fierce and strategic warrior.
After the death of Heke's first wife, Ono (Riria), and their two infant children, he married Rongo (Hāriata), Hongi Hika's daughter. They had no children. Rongo was a strong woman of great mana who was also educated by the missionaries. She was a powerful, steadfast help to Heke.
As he aged, Heke became a prolific letter writer promoting Māori self-determination. He remained an influential leader, now wielding his pen rather than weapons.
He suffered from tuberculosis and died in 1850. At the time of his death, he was aged in his late 30s or early 40s.
Date of BirthApproximately 1810 Last edited by: Jennifer Gow

Place of BirthPakaraka Last edited by: Jennifer Gow

Date of Baptism9 of August 1835 Last edited by: Jennifer Gow

Date of Death7 of August 1850 Last edited by: Jennifer Gow

OccupationWarrier Last edited by: Jennifer Gow

Document

A test excavation at Maiki Hill, Russell

The Landscape Elements of the Township of Russell

The Waimate Mission Station. A research report for the NZ Historic Places Trust

Draft Matakohe-Limestone Island Management Plan 2

Hone Hekes Pa. Various notes

Pompallier. The rehabilition of the Pompallier Property, Russell, Bay of Islands

Archaeological report on the Pouerua section of the Kaikohe - Oromahoe transmission

Bay of Islands Notes and Records

Archaeological Inspection of the Uruti Bay Estate, Bay of Islands

Archaeological survey of the coastal region between Te Tii and Tapeka Point (including Mangonui, Kerikeri, Kawakawa, Waikino and

The location of Heke's Pa, Te Kahika, Okaihau, NZ. A field analysis

James Callaghan's Tannery. A 19th Century Industry in the Bay of Islands

Otamatea District archaeological site survey. Project Employment Programme

A 19th Century Tannery in the Bay of Islands. Interim Report on an Excavation at Pompallier House, Russell

Flagstaff Hill Historic Reserve

An historical and archaeological bibliography of the Bay of Islands

Cobwebs and Gables. A study of historic buildings, places and objects in Whangarei

Rawiri Taiwhanga. A great maori pioneer

Lake Omapere survey report

A Most Noble Anchorage. A Story of Russell and Bay of Islands

Kerikeri Basin

Kaikohe - Oromahoe 110kv transmission line

Archaeological research at Pouerua, Northland. A final interim report

Clipping

CN04 Index

CN04 Page 55

CN03 Page 86

Publication

100 Years – 1875 June 1 1975

Portrait of Hōne Heke by artist Joseph Merrett.
Jessie Chiang, Radio New Zealand

Whānau

MotherTe Kona Last edited by: Jennifer Gow

FatherTūpanapana Last edited by: Jennifer Gow

ChildrenHoani Last edited by: Jennifer Gow

Marianne

PartnerOno Last edited by: Jennifer Gow

Rongo Hāriata Last edited by: Jennifer Gow

Date Married30 March 1837 Last edited by: Jennifer Gow

Place of MarriageKerikeri Last edited by: Jennifer Gow

Further Information

See alsoFrom Hongi Hika to Hone Heke: A quarter century of upheaval (sirsidynix.com.au) Last edited by: Jennifer Gow

Heke Pōkai, Hone Wiremu (teara.govt.nz) Last edited by: Jennifer Gow

Hone Heke: Ngāpuhi Warrior (sirsidynix.com.au) Last edited by: Jennifer Gow

Hone Heke (nzhistory.govt.nz) Last edited by: Jennifer Gow