The History of Tawa
Existing Publications
We would remind readers of the existing publications relating to aspects of the history of the Tawa area that are available from most libraries :
1. Tawa Flat and the Old Porirua Road 1840 – 1982. Arthur H. Carman / Wright and Carman Ltd. 1982. Hard-cover book 142mm by 223mm 266p.
2. Tawa – Enterprise and Endeavour. K. R. Cassells / Tawa Borough Council, 1988. Hard-cover book 142mm by 223mm 210p. ISBN 0-473-00715-0
3. The Old Porirua Road. Porirua Museum History Series, No 5, Kelvin Day, 1991, published by the Porirua Museum and the Porirua City Council
4. I Remember Tawa : A Collection of memories. Barbara Adams, Brasenose Press 2002, 120p – a series of personal reminiscences of Tawa residents about their life and times in Tawa. ISBN 0-473-08904-1 For library copy see NZRef 993.141 ADA
5. Northern Suburbs Heritage Trail – Part 2: Following the Old Porirua Road. Onslow and Tawa Historical Societies / Glenside Progressive Assn. / WCC / et. al. 2nd edn. 2004. Booklet 99mm by 211mm, foldout maps.
6. The Streets of Tawa. Tawa Historical Society 1st edn. 2005. Soft-cover book A4 100p. ISBN 0-473-10188-2.
The Streets of Tawa is the first significant publication by the Tawa Historical Society since its formation in 2001. In writing the foreword, Kerry Prendergast says, “The Streets of Tawa is a fascinating insight into the history and overall development of Tawa as a community, and I know you will enjoy reading it.” Only limited copies remain from the first printing. Orders are welcome to The Secretary, Tawa Historical Society, PO Box 51073, Tawa at a cost of $20 each, plus $5 p&p delivered within NZ. Please make cheques payable to Tawa Historical Society Inc. Copies of any remaining stock may also be purchased from the Tawa Library. If there is sufficient interest a further limited print run may be made during 2007.
6. An Historical Atlas of Tawa. Tawa Historical Society 1st edn. 2006. Soft-cover spiral bound book A3 85p. ISBN 978-0-473-11603-3.
An Historical Atlas of Tawa is the second significant publication by the Tawa Historical Society since its formation in 2001. The first limited printing of this publication was released in November 2006 for members. Orders for any excess not taken up by members or for a subsequent print run may be made to; The Secretary, Tawa Historical Society, PO Box 51073, Tawa at a cost of $58 each, for local delivery only. Please make cheques payable to Tawa Historical Society Inc. Order forms and a preview copy may also be found at the Tawa Libraray.
Northern Suburbs Heritage Trail description of Tawa - 2004
Tawa
Tawa is Wellington’s most northerly suburb. It began life as a rural settlement straddling the Porirua Road. While the road was being built in 1846-47, soldiers and workers were protected from possible attack by two stockades, a kilometre apart. At this time the surrounding land was heavily forested and the first settlers had to clear this before building and farming could begin. The name of Tawa was presumably derived from the species of tree that grew there. Although Tawa’s first church opened in 1851 and the first school opened in 1855, the settlement remained predominantly rural into the 20th century. The first attempt at housing subdivision came in 1896 and in 1906 the Tawa Land Company was established, but these early initiatives attracted relatively little interest. Subsequent subdivisions attracted more support but it wasn’t until just before (and after) World War II, that increasing suburbanisation in greater Wellington saw Tawa grow strongly and its semi-rural character disappear. Tawa’s 19th century origins mean that some very old structures remain, a few of which are included in the Heritage Trail.
[Northern Suburbs Heritage Trail Part 2: Following the Old Porirua Road. Onslow and Tawa Historical Societies/ Glenside Progressive Assn./WCC/ et. al. 2nd edn. 2004. Booklet 99mm by 211mm, foldout maps.]
Cyclopedia of New Zealand description of Tawa - 1897
TAWA FLAT
Tawa Flat
Four miles north from Johnsonville by rail, and rather more by coach road, brings the traveller on to Tawa Flat, a picturesque arcadian settlement, making hay and growing corn and fruit, wool and rich grasses, and raising cattle and sheep for the markets. The many well-tilled farms and beautiful homesteads, and the other natural bits of landscape hereabouts, fail not in producing pleasing effects on the beholder.
Tawa Flat is blest with a flag station on the Wellington-Manawatu railway line, the train stopping only when signalled to pick up or set down passengers. The population of thirty-eight souls, are chiefly engaged in farming and pastoral pursuits. The settlement is part of the riding of Porirua, in the Hutt County, and the nearest towns are Porirua village, three miles to the northward, and Johnsonville about four miles south. It is 128 feet above sea-level, and the climate is naturally dry, but windy.
Tawa Flat has a public school, over which Mr. Herbert Sanson presides, and a church, where services are held periodically.
Mails for Tawa Flat close daily at Wellington at 6 a.m., arriving at Tawa Flat at 7.30 a.m. The return mail closes daily at Tawa Flat at 10.30 a.m., arriving at Wellington at 1 p.m.
Earp, Edward William, Sheepfarmer, Tawa Flat. Mr. Earp is all but a colonial, having been born shortly before his father, Mr. William Earp, set sail for New Zealand in 1855, per ship “Putsey Dawson”. Educated in the Colony, and brought up to a country life, Mr. Earp succeeded, on his father’s death, in 1888, to the splendid property – 600 acres in extent – with its well kept live fences an beautiful lawns and flower borders. The estate, which is one of the best in the district, carries 1400 sheep. In 1888 Mr. Earp was married to a daughter of Mr. George Shand, of Taieri, Otago, and has three children – two daughters and a son.
Nott, James Thornton, M.A., Sheepfarmer, Tawa Flat. Mr. Nott is a son of one of the earliest Tawa Flat settlers – the late Mr. William Nott, who arrived in Wellington by the “Birman” in 1842. Born at Johnsonville in 1864, and educated at Wellington College, Three Kings College, Auckland, and at the Auckland University, Mr. J. T. Nott gained his B.A. degree in 1889, and his M.A. with honours in biology in the following year. After four years at the Kings, Mr. Nott was accepted as a probationer in the Wesleyan ministry, being appointed to Riverton, where he remained two years. He was then transferred to Christchurch, where two years later he resigned, having determined to devote his time to country life. Mr. Nott’s hobby is in biological studies, on the results of which researches he often lectures, being ever willing to lend his services to any worthy object.
Porirua Stream
Taylor, James, Farmer, Tawa Flat. Born on the 17th of August, 1823, at Turnbridge, Wells, England, and educated in his native land, Mr. Taylor came to Port Nicholson with his father, the late Mr. William Taylor, per “Martha Ridgway”, in 1840. The subject of this notice settled in Johnsonville as early as 1844. Three years later he removed to Pahautanui, where he started a small dairy farm, and in 1849 he became a pioneer settler in Tawa Flat, then a dense forest. The section Mr. Taylor acquired at that time is still in his possession, his farm consisting of 276 acres of freehold and 112 acres of leasehold. In the early days Mr. Taylor represented Porirua district for eight years in the Wellington Provincial Council, and was for twelve years afterwards a member of the Hutt County Council. Before the County took over the Road Board he was the representative of the Porirua Ward on the latter body, and for many years since he has been a member of the Tawa Flat School Committee. During the native troubles of the early days Mr. Taylor took his share of duty, and for fourteen years was associated with the volunteer movement, first as lieutenant of the Porirua, and afterwards as captain of the Pahautanui Rifles. As a member of the Primitive Methodist Church, Mr. Taylor established a Sunday School on the first Sabbath spent in the district and is still superintendent of the Tawa Flat School. He was married in 1844 to Miss Hook, of Wellington, and has seven sons and six daughters, who are nearly all married and settled. Mr. Taylor has fifty-four grandchildren and three great children.
[p1072-1073 Cyclopedia of New Zealand Volume 1; Wellington Provincial District, published 1897] .
Newspaper articles describing Tawa's history
Historical Places of Tawa
The following series of articles were sponsored by the Historical subcommittee of the Tawa Borough Council
This series of articles by Bill Secker appeared in the Kapi-Mana newspaper between October 1975 and February 1978, around the time of celebrating a centenary of settlement in Tawa. Click on the title to go to the article.
1. “Tawa's first school records history”
2. “Colonial Cottage – a fine memorial” (Brown’s cottage)
3. “Bartlett house reflects changes”
4. “Tawa’s history is not tied to present boundary”
5. “Boscobel farm tells and interesting story”
6. “Earp orchard – a treasury”
7. “Early land sales at Tawa met demand”
8. “Harrison’s cottage preserves the past”
9. “Greer home a historic relic”
10. “Methodism at Tawa Flat grew”
11. “Pioneer farmers relied on waterwheel”
12. “Clay houses were common as pioneer homes along Old Porirua Road”
13. “First doctor in Tawa Flat studied grasses”
14. “Road unified scattered folk”
15. “Epitaph clue to change of attitudes”
This series of articles by Bill Secker describe the improvements made to Old Porirua Road. They appeared in the Kapi-Mana newspaper during 1978-81.
“Reminders of the British Army along old road”
“Ngauranga Road work of navvies”
“KAIWHARAWHARA – the gateway to the north”
“Tempestuous days along the old road to Porirua”
This series of articles by Bill Secker appeared in the Kapi-Mana newspaper during 1982. Click on the title to go to the article.
1. “Colonial Knob Walk gives a lesson in geography and Maori lore”
2. “Painting shows mid-19th century country life”
3. “Century old orchard memorial to pioneers”
5. “Country’s Past Often Lost – Placename changes”
6. “Town of East Porirua held much promise”
7. “Census of 1848 gave misleading details”
This article by Arthur H Carman originally appeared in a Tawa District Directory in 1976 and was reprinted in the Kapi-Mana News.
These articles by Elsdon Best under the series title of “Porirua and They Who Settled It”, originally appeared in Canterbury Times during 1914.
“PORIRUA AND THEY WHO SETTLED IT”