Pākaraka facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Pākaraka
Church in Pākaraka
Country	New Zealand
Region	Manawatū-Whanganui
District	Whanganui District

Pākaraka, previously known as Okehu, Maxwelltown, and most recently Maxwell, is a farming and lifestyle community 20 kilometres (12 mi) west of Whanganui, on the North Island of New Zealand. This small community has a rich history, especially concerning its name changes over the years.

The Story Behind the Name Pākaraka

Local Māori knew this area as Pākaraka. This name means "an abundance of karaka trees," which are native New Zealand trees.

How Maxwelltown Got Its Name

European settlers arrived in the mid-1800s. They decided to name the settlement "Maxwelltown." This name honored Sergeant George Maxwell. He was a soldier involved in a conflict known as Tītokowaru's War. Colonel George Stoddart Whitmore praised Maxwell for his bravery during an event in this area.

However, it was later learned that the group involved in this event included children. This detail was not in the first reports.

The Name Change to Maxwell

In 1883, a historian named George William Rusden wrote a book about New Zealand's history. In his book, he claimed that Lieutenant John Bryce and Sergeant Maxwell had harmed women and children during the conflict. Bryce was a powerful government official at the time. He sued Rusden for telling lies about him.

The court case happened in London. Bryce won because he proved he was not directly involved in the actions and that no women were among the victims. Rusden's book was stopped from being sold, and Bryce received a large sum of money.

Even though Bryce won, the name Maxwell became linked to these difficult historical events. The area was called Maxwelltown until 1927, when its name was shortened to just Maxwell.

Returning to Pākaraka

In 2020, the local hapū (a Māori tribal group) called Ngā Rauru worked with the Whanganui District Council. Together, they decided to change the name from Maxwell back to its original Māori name, Pākaraka. This change helped to recognize the area's Māori heritage and acknowledge its complex history.

Life and Activities in Pākaraka

Pākaraka is a place where people enjoy a quiet, rural lifestyle. In the 1960s, the area was known for its heavy scrub, which was great for pig hunting.

Today, the community offers a few interesting spots:

• You can visit the local art gallery, called Black Sands Studio.
• There is a church in the town.
• The community has a swimming pool, and the Birch Park Pool has recently been updated.
• The area is very Forested, meaning it has many trees.
• Maxwell Beach is a popular spot. Many people visit to see a small waterfall that flows from the nearby farmland down to the shore.

Pākaraka's Population

Pākaraka is part of a statistical area that covers about 58 square kilometers.

In 2018, about 147 people lived in this area. This number was a bit lower than in previous years. There were more males than females living there. The average age of people in Pākaraka was about 39.6 years old.

Most people living in Pākaraka are of European background. Some residents also identify as Māori, Pacific peoples, or Asian. Many people in the area do not have a religious affiliation, while others are Christian or follow other religions.

Culture and Community

The heart of the Māori community in Pākaraka is the Pākaraka Marae. A marae is a traditional Māori meeting ground. The Te Whānau Pani II and III meeting houses are also important gathering places. These places are used by the Ngā Rauru hapū of Ngāti Maika II for important cultural events and meetings.