History, Mangungu Mission House

Horeke's historic gem ....  nestled on the slopes of Horeke, overlooking the picturesque Hokianga Harbour stands one of New Zealand’s best kept historic secrets. The Mangungu Mission House is one of Northland's oldest buildings. Completed in 1839, it replaced the original house that had previously burned to the ground.  The mission itself had been established earlier by the Rev William White under the Patronage of the Maori Chief "Patuone", a Nga Pui leader.  Credit to the elegant Georgian building must go to Rev John Hobbs, a missionary who had been apprenticed to his father - a carpenter joiner and agricultural implement maker in England.  These skills came to the fore when Hobbs was charged with the task of designing the mission house  and overseeing its construction.  Hobbs was clearly a man of many talents.  As well as his practical skills,  he also acted as governor Hobson's translator at the second signing of the Treaty of Waitangi, which took place at Mangungu Mission on February 12, 1840. Visitors to Mangungu can still see the original table on which the Treaty was signed with a copy of the Treaty on it, and walk through the historic cemetery near the building.  Hobbs' workmanship has stood the test of time - and a number of other challenges too.  By 1856 the Maori population in the area had declined and Hobbs moved to Auckland with his family, taking the house with him, leaving the mission station unmanned.  The house itself was taken to pieces and shipped to Onehunga where it served as a parsonage.  In 1972 however, the historic house was returned to Mangungu where it is maintained today by the Historic Places Trust. Mangungu is certainly off the beaten track but it is well worth a visit, it is one of the most important sites for Maori and one of the most beautiful historic sites in New Zealand.

Chapel at Mangungu

Mangungu Mission, Horeke

Sand Dunes

Koutu Boulders

Old Homestead