Te Tii, Waitangi
I always wondered why my Nanny Tina lived at the Kaumatua Flats at Te Tii, Waitangi.  It wasn't until 2002, that I followed up the 'wondering' by doing a bit of asking.  It's amazing what one can find out from whanau, official documents (Birth and Death Certificates), with Maori Land Court Records, and with the internet.

It was quite a pleasant surprise to find that I was a direct descendant (one of many - I might add) of Te Kemara (Kaiteke) through his daughter Takurua.

It was also nice to learn that the analytical skills that Te Kemara had (I am assuming here as many stories support it) have been passed to many in my generation.   
The memorial (images below) was erected in the 1880's by a committee of people who were headed by my Great Great Grandfather Ihaka Hakuene Te Tai.

Between 1871 to 1875, or there abouts the original whareroai was built on the Tiriti o Waitangi Marae grounds to celebrate the signing of the Treaty document some 35 years earlier.  The first official event held in this building was the wedding of Mita Te Tai (son of Ihaka) and Hira Hau.

In the 1930's the wharenui was destroyed in a fire, and was subsequently replaced by the wharenui that stands at Te Tii, today.
This photograph below was acquired from Claudia Oranges collection - downloaded from www.nzhistory.net.nz/gallery/treaty/monument.htm
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