Page 20 - J G Book

1903 – 1909 Otakeho and Manaia

“Leaving Manaia [Kaupokonui] shortly after that we lived for three years on the
Taikato Road and right next to a large Maori Pa….” (John Wilson Kenyon)

The Taikato Road, referred to by John Wilson Kenyon here, is actually Taikatu Road,
in the district of Otakeho. Otakeho was, in times past, the base of a strong Maori
fighting force, and contributed warriors to the battles in which Taranaki tribes fought
against the powerful Waikato federation, and eventually defeated them.
There were three fighting pa in Otakeho, within close range of each other.
One of them was called Taikatu, possibly the one remembered by young John
Kenyon, right next to where they lived on Taikatu Road.

Photograph by Lance Kenyon 2013
Urupa (Maori burial ground) on Taikatu Rd., Otakeho

Photograph by Lance Kenyon 2013
Memorial near to Taikatu Rd. at Otakeho. Looking towards the sea (West Coast.)

16 graemekenyon@hotmail.com 4/11/16