About This Site
About This Site
The Recognition & Remembrance of Those Who Rest in Unmarked Graves in Pukekohe
Our rural town of Pukekohe has a troubled history of racial segregation from 1925 until the early 1960s. While this chapter of our past has often remained unspoken, it is an important part of our shared story that deserves to be acknowledged and understood.
In 2020 the book No Māori Allowed by American academic Robert Bartholomew, and the screening of the TVNZ documentary of the same name by Reikura Kahi, brought this issue into focus.
The documentary features local kuia and Pukekohe Cemetery Memorial Committee members Pare Rauwhero and Phyliss Bhana.
For some whaanau—many of whom live outside of the area—this reignited painful memories and feelings, especially for kaumaatua and kuia who are now in their 70s and 80s.
Unmarked Graves
The presence of unmarked graves where nearly 200 people—mainly Maaori—were interred in a separate area of Pukekohe Cemetery, has been a source of hurt for some whaanau.
The unmarked graves and the historic injustices had been raised many times before, but in 2023, Maaori community members called for action. They engaged with Auckland Council and agreement was reached to install a physical memorial (tohu maumahara) to those who lay at the cemetery, unacknowledged.
A committee to guide the process was soon established, comprising Ngaa Hau e Whaa Marae and Franklin Local Board representatives.
Memorial & Committee
Led by Makere Rika-Heke, the Pukekohe Cemetery Memorial Committee is made up of two Franklin Local Board members and seven Pukekohe Maaori community representatives.
Its role is to provide guidance and receive specialist input, to be steered by the tikanga of its Maaori members (Waikato – Tainui). The result will be the installation of a physical memorial.
Healing
Through the process of a series of interactive community hui over 2025, many whaanau—and those in the wider community—are hopeful of arriving at a point of change and healing, where all involved respect and acknowledge what occurred.
This website serves as a resource to keep our whaanau and community updated on the journey so far.
There is still much to do, and we hope you join us in support of this important work.
If you would like to get involved or share your story, you can see the upcoming meetings/hui at this link, or you can reach out by email to the Committee.
The Recognition & Remembrance of Those Who Rest in Unmarked Graves in Pukekohe
Our rural town of Pukekohe has a troubled history of racial segregation from 1925 until the early 1960s. While this chapter of our past has often remained unspoken, it is an important part of our shared story that deserves to be acknowledged and understood.
In 2020 the book No Māori Allowed by American academic Robert Bartholomew, and the screening of the TVNZ documentary of the same name by Reikura Kahi, brought this issue into focus.
The documentary features local kuia and Pukekohe Cemetery Memorial Committee members Pare Rauwhero and Phyliss Bhana.
For some whaanau—many of whom live outside of the area—this reignited painful memories and feelings, especially for kaumaatua and kuia who are now in their 70s and 80s.
Unmarked Graves
The presence of unmarked graves where nearly 200 people—mainly Maaori—were interred in a separate area of Pukekohe Cemetery, has been a source of hurt for some whaanau.
The unmarked graves and the historic injustices had been raised many times before, but in 2023, Maaori community members called for action. They engaged with Auckland Council and agreement was reached to install a physical memorial (tohu maumahara) to those who lay at the cemetery, unacknowledged.
A committee to guide the process was established in 2023, comprising Ngaa Hau e Whaa Marae and Franklin Local Board representatives.
Memorial & Committee
Led by Makere Rika-Heke, the Pukekohe Cemetery Memorial Committee is made up of two Franklin Local Board members and seven Pukekohe Maaori community representatives.
Its role is to provide guidance and receive specialist input, to be steered by the tikanga of its Maaori members (Waikato – Tainui). The result will be the installation of a physical memorial.
Healing
Through the process of a series of interactive community hui over 2025, many whaanau—and those in the wider community—are hopeful of arriving at a point of change and healing, where all involved respect and acknowledge what occurred.
This website serves as a resource to keep our whaanau and community updated on the journey so far.
There is still much to do, and we hope you join us in support of this important work.
If you would like to get involved or share your story, you can see the upcoming hui at this link, or you can reach out by email to the Committee.
The section of unmarked graves at the Pukekohe Cemetery in Wellington Street where up to 200 people—mainly Maaori—were interred between the 1920s and the 1960s
Our History
Pukekohekohe (the original place name for the area that is now abbreviated to Pukekohe) has been a place of sanctuary for the earliest inhabitants of Taamaki Makaurau and Waikato.
The area has a rich whakapapa linking the earliest inhabitants to early tribes like Ngaa Oho and Te Tini-o-Toi, and thereafter to waka-voyaging Ancestors or Tuupuna.
The Waikato River, which flows out to sea south of Pukekohe, is considered a Tuupuna Awa
Te Mānukanuka-o-Hoturoa pertains to the Manukau Harbour, where the descendants of te waka Tainui continue their cultural traditions.
The migrations from Te Moana-nui-a-Kiwa brought significant waka to our shores, notably Waka Tainui, whose voyage and whakapapa of select crew members are central to our heritage.
Over time, Pukekohekohe grew into a populated settlement zone, given its abundance of resources and ability to sustain communities. Historic paa and papakaainga moderated ancient settlement growth as Pukekohekohe became a vital place for transit and transport.
The area was home to industry of many types including horticulture and gardening practices that supported vast cross-country trade networks and enabled a vibrant cultural hub to arise.
After the disruptions of the Waikato wars, invasion and raupatu of the 1860s, our ancestors re-established their presence in Pukekohe in the 1880s and 90s. Its fertile soil supported extensive farming, and by the 1920s, Pukekohe had become a modern market gardening epicentre for the region.
In 1972, a committee created a marae to serve the local iwi and migrant Maaori. After years of fundraising, Ngaa Hau E Whaa Marae o Pukekohe was established.
The mauri of the whenua resides with the head of the Kiingitanga Movement. The Marae sits under the umbrella of Ngaati Tamaoho. It serves as a community hub for Ngaa Hau E Whaa, those multitudes from across the motu who sought sanctuary and made Pukekohe Home.
This marae represents a rich tapestry of several tribal identities. It functions as a vibrant, pan-tribal gathering space where diverse traditions and communities come together.
The Pukekohe Cemetery Memorial Committee extends greetings, honours, and welcome to all. Regardless of whether you are whaanau or hapuu member, a descendent, mana whenua, a recent or former Pukekohe resident, we thank you for taking the time to share our rich history.
About The Committee
About The Committee
Established in November 2023 as a Franklin Local Board committee, the group’s role is to provide guidance on installing a physical memorial for unmarked graves at Pukekohe Cemetery.
The Pukekohe Cemetery Koomiti has decision-making responsibility over the memorial. It can invite input from specialists and experts, and will be steered by the tikanga of its Maaori members (Waikato – Tainui).
The purpose of the Koomiti is to provide governance and guidance for the memorial project in the Pukekohe Cemetery.
Their mission is to advance the project and to see it through to completion. Once the mission is achieved, the Koomiti ceases to exist.
The group is made up of two Franklin Local Board members and seven Pukekohe Māori community representatives. They include:
Makere Rika-Heke – Chair, Harley Wade – Deputy Chair, Tini Astle, Pare Rauwhero, Phyliss Bhana, Sonny Parata, Tearepa Kahi, Raemon Matene, Angela Fulljames – Local Board Chair, Logan Soole – Local Boad Member and Alan Cole – Local Board alternate.
Funding has been confirmed through Auckland Council’s Māori Outcomes Fund, with $200,000 allocated to deliver community engagement, concept and detailed design. A further $500,000 has been earmarked for delivery of the physical memorial (tohu maumahara).
Amemorial aligns with the 2023 Franklin Local Board Plan’s ‘Our People’ outcome, which seeks to partner with the community to recognise and commemorate local history.
Collaborating with the Pukekohe Maaori community on this project to recognise the unmarked graves also acknowledges the historical racism that occurred.
Committee responsibilities:
Community engagement and communication
Approve design, including budget decisions
Approve and monitor a plan
Complete and approve a budget for installation
Report to the Franklin Local Board and Māori Outcomes Fund
Meetings are open to the public and our quorum is five, with one being from the Franklin Local Board. The committee’s aim is to make decisions by consensus. If decisions go to a vote, the Chair has a vote, but not a casting one.
The terms and conditions allow the committee to invite guests and experts to attend any meeting, to engage in discussion and assist with matters on the agenda.
If you have further questions, please take a look at the Frequently Asked Questions page.
Franklin Local Board Members with Committee members Logan Soole, Alan Cole and Angela Fulljames pictured second, third and fourth from the left.
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