Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
NGATI TARARA
As you're travelling around the north you might notice the preponderance of road
names ending in '-ich'. The sign leading into Kaitaia proclaims, ' haere mai, dobro
došliand welcome', denoting one of the more peculiar ethnic conjunctions in the
country.
From the end of the 19th century, men from the Dalmatian coast of what is now
Croatia started arriving in NZ looking for work. Many ended up in Northland's gum
fields. Pakeha (white) society wasn't particularly welcoming to the new immig-
rants, particularly during WWI, as they were on Austrian passports. Not so the
small Maori communities of the north. Here the immigrants found an echo of Dal-
matian village life, with its emphasis on extended family and hospitality, not to
mention a shared history of injustice at the hands of colonial powers.
The Maori jokingly named them Tarara, as their rapid conversation in their native
tongue sounded like 'ta-ra-ra-ra-ra' to Maori ears. Many Croatian men married loc-
al wahine(women), founding clans that have left several of today's famous Maori
with Croatian surnames, like singer Margaret Urlich and former All Black Frano
Botica. You'll find large Tarara communities in the Far North, Dargaville and West
Auckland.
TOP OF CHAPTER
Kaitaia
POP 4900
Nobody comes to the Far North to hang out in this provincial town, but it's a handy stop
if you're after a supermarket, a post office or an ATM. It's also a jumping-off point for
tours to Cape Reinga and Ninety Mile Beach.
Sights
Te Ahu Centre
ARTS CENTRE
(
www.teahu.org.nz
;
Matthews Ave; )
This civic and community centre features a cinema,
to 2pm Sat)
exhibits of the Far North Regional Museum, and the local i-SITE in-
formation centre. There's also a cafe and free wi-fi at the library.
Okahu Estate Winery
WINERY
