Poverty Bay
Poverty Bay owes its name to Captain Cook. This was the first place he touched the soil of the land and came into contact with the local Maori. The first meeting between these two peoples was not a success. Skirmishes with local tribesmen led to the death of 6 Maori. Cook left the area without replenishing his stocks and dubbed the place Poverty Bay as, 'it did not afford a single item we waned, except a little firewood'. The name does little justice to the area as the fertile alluvial soil and the climate provide ideal condition in which to grow fruit, vegetables and grapes.The bay itself is a small area which stretches from Tuahine Point to Young Nicks Head. The Poverty Bay regions comprises the Tolaga Bay Coast and the Mahia Peninsula to the south and extends to the hills of the East Cape in the West. In the early days of European settlement few would move to the area being discouraged by the instability of the area caused the Hau Hau and the infamous Te Kooti.
|
Register and login to remove ads |
 |