Hone Heke’s remains to be reburied

Media Release

For Immediate Release

13 May 2013

Hone Heke’s remains to be reburied

The Ngapuhi leader David Rankin – a descendent of the nineteenth century warrior chief Hone Heke – has announced that Heke’s remains will be buried near Kaikohe next month.

“The final date will be settled shortly,” says Rankin, “but we can confirm that our ancestor’s bones will be buried in June.”

Two years ago, Rankin removed Heke’s bones from a cave near Pakaraka, where they had lain since 1850, when the great Ngapuhi chief died. He says that the time is now right for the remains to be buried in a new and final resting place.

“We removed the bones two years ago from a site that was under risk of development,” Rankin explains. “Now, we have nominated a location where they can be placed permanently. We will be announcing the location and the date of their interment in the next few weeks. There are just a few more details to finalise.”

It is expected that hundreds of people will assemble for the dawn ceremony in June, when Heke’s bones will be brought to their final resting place.

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