The bones of ancient Maori chief and warrior Hone Heke have been removed from the cave where they lay because of threats posed by land development in the area.
David Rankin, leader of Ngapuhi's Matarahurahu hapu, said at dawn this morning he uplifted the bones of Heke, his ancestor, from a
cave on the outskirts of Pakaraka, in the Far North, about 20 minutes from Paihia.
It is not the first time in the 160 years since Heke's death that the bones have been moved.
Rankin said the bones were moved this time because they were next to two areas where ''land development potentially threatens them''.
"Hone Heke is one of our most prominent ancestors and is a major personality in New Zealand history. We have an obligation to ensure his remains are protected."
The bones were wrapped in a traditional flax shroud, and accompanied by Heke's taonga, including the godstick used by his personal tohunga, or priest, Te Atua Wera, which has been present on every occasion in the last 160 years that his bones have been moved.
The bones were taken to the church at Pakaraka, which was built by Heke's friend, the missionary Henry Williams.
Anglican Bishop of Te Tai Tokerau, the Right Reverend Te Kitohi Pikaahu, blessed the remains.
Rankin said he deposited the bones in a temporary location near Kaikohe in preparation for their reburial on Kaikohe Hill at a later date.
