SS Ventnor memorial dedication - Hokianga

My sketches from the journey with the New Zealand Chinese community up to the Hokianga for the dedication of the SS Ventnor memorial.

In 1902, the lives of 13 men and the remains of 499 Chinese were lost when the SS Ventnor sank off the Hokianga coast.
The 499 remains went to the bottom of the Tasman Sea, or drifted to shore where they were gathered and cared for by the home peoples of the Hokianga.

The Ventnor memorial stands in the memory of the lost and all those who cared for them in the many years since.

Day 1

At Te Roroa Headquarters in the Waipoua Forest
Sketch of an historic 'Super Pioneer' chainsaw - a metaphor for the entrepreneurial Chinese immigrants

A walk across the each and rocks to view the sand dunes to see where the gathered bones were re-buried.

Afterwards we had a powhiri followed by a delicious smokey Hangi meal, and got entertained while we ate - very excellent indeed!

Day 2 - was the dedication ceremony for the Ventnor memorial, held at the recently opened Manea foot prints of Kupe cultural centre.

Lots of VIP speeches and a Lion dance

This is in Opononi and there's a performance / audio digital show to enjoy in the cultural centre

The day was rounded off with another Hangi meal, waiata and an evening of sharing stories

Day 3

From the top of Signal Point Road look out - find 12 o'clock. Then pivot to 10 o'clock, and 10 miles out is where the SS Ventnor can be found

A trip on the Rawene Ferry, and a forty minute drive out to Mitimiti, and a Powhiri at Matihetihe Marae.

The group visited the Chinese arch at the Urupa [cemetary] dedicated to remember those passed away.
But I was diverted by the need to use the Marae Wifi for a Live Stream interview with USK Talks

I was allowed to use their Church as a quiet space!

A very enjoyable and memorable trip to the Hokianga