Stratford Mountain House - Stratford Mountain House 998 Pembroke Road

4.6/5 β˜… based on 8 reviews

About Stratford Mountain House

Ngati Ruanui and the Land Wars

Ngati Ruanui resisted the sale of land at the time of early European settlement and in the 1850s made a pact with the other iwi of Taranaki and elsewhere to oppose further land sales.

By 1860 no Ngati Ruanui land had been sold and they provided active support to Te Atiawa and Nga Rauru in resisting land sales particularly the sales of blocks at Waitara and Waitara.

Resistance to the survey of the Pekapeka block at Waitara was deemed an act of rebellion by the Crown and they commenced hostilities in the province in 1860 resulting in Ngati Ruanui entering the war on the side of the non-sellers.

That phase of the land wars ended in 1861, but just two years later fighting flared up again and spread to South Taranaki during which the Crown troops occupied the land without formal confiscation or purchase. (Confiscations were proclaimed later in 1865, including the confiscation of 352,000 acres of Ngati Ruanui and Nga Ruahine land).

The land wars continued and a scorched earth campaign was ramped up by the Crown troops resulting in Maori villages and crops being levelled as the Crown sought to reduce the fighting ability of those they considered rebels. These campaigns resulted in much loss of life and property for Ngati Ruanui.

In 1865 the mountain was confiscated from Maori by the New Zealand Government under the powers of the New Zealand Settlements Act 1863, ostensibly as a means of establishing and maintaining peace amid the Second Taranaki War. The legislation was framed with the purported intention of seizing and dividing up the land of Maori “in rebellion” and providing it as farmland for military settlers. The mountain was confiscated despite clear evidence it was unusable for farming and otherwise uninhabitable.

At the end of the land war in 1869, some 233 Pakakohi men, women and children of Ngati Ruanui surrendered following promises they would not be killed, however 96 were tried for treason and 74 sentenced to death. These death sentences were subsequently commuted to 3 to 7 years’ imprisonment in the South Island. The prisoners experienced very harsh conditions resulting in 18 men dying before the release of the remaining prisoners 3 years later.

Compensation and Settlement

The compensation process under the New Zealand Settlements Act 1863 for lost lands was faulted from the start in that Maori who took part in the land wars or supported those in the land wars were excluded from compensation. By 1880 recompense had been awarded to only 4% of Ngati Ruanui claimants. While the West Coast Commission was appointed to remedy the wrong doing the purchase of land continued both within the confiscation area (where often money was paid but no deed of sale drawn up) and outside the confiscation boundary without a full investigation of customary title.

Ngati Ruanui were also involved in the acts of passive resistance of land acquisition organised by Parihaka prophets Te Whiti and Tohu resulting in the 1881 sacking of the site by 1,500 Crown troops and expelling from the settlement some 1,600 men, women and children.

A few years later the West Coast Commission finalised the return of limited land to iwi in Taranaki but done so under individual title and placed under the control of the Public Trustee. Much of this land was farmed by settlers under perpetually renewable leases at non market rates. Additionally because of the ability of the Public and Maori Trustees to alienate certain types of land over 60% of the ‘returned’ land was sold by 1974.

The Sim Commission of 1926-27 investigation of the land confiscation was also limited and it recommended an annuity of 5,000 pounds to compensate all of the iwi of Taranaki for lost land.

A further one off sum of 300 pounds was also paid to compensate the loss of property at Parihaka and both these payments were enshrined in the Taranaki Maori Claims Settlement Act 1944 which states that Maori had agreed to accept the sums as full settlement for the confiscations of land.
The mountain was returned to the people of Taranaki in 1978 by means of the Mount Egmont Vesting Act 1978, which vested it to the Taranaki Maori Trust Board. By means of the same Act, it was immediately passed back to the Government as a gift to the nation.

The Waitangi Tribunal, in its 1996 report, Kaupapa Tuatahi observed: “We are unaware of the evidence that the hapu agreed to this arrangement. Many who made submissions to us were adamant that most knew nothing of it.” 

In acknowledging prior unfair settlements for land confiscation and treatment the Crown have recently renegotiated settlements with iwi with Ngati Ruanui being one of the earliest to agree to a settlement in 2007.

Contact Stratford Mountain House

Address :

Stratford Mountain House 998 Pembroke Road, Taranaki 4391, New Zealand

Phone : πŸ“ž +7
Postal code : 4391
Website : http://www.stratfordmountainhouse.co.nz/
Categories :
Description : Relaxed rooms in a mountain lodge with a restaurant, a bar & a cafe with a terrace.

Stratford Mountain House 998 Pembroke Road, Taranaki 4391, New Zealand
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Amy Symes on Google

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Amazing location and food was good, bonus was that it all came out at the same time. The only critique would be that there were a lot of staff talking business behind the bar about what rooms need cleaning and training up staff etc, it was quite distracting and loud. If they did that in another space then it would've been a perfect breakfast. Heaps of potential.
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Jane Chapman on Google

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We had a lovely lunch today. There were 12 of us, and I was impressed how all our meals were served at the same time. My husband had the crumbed fish and really enjoyed it. I chose the chicken sandwich, but I was disappointed because there was more bacon on it than chicken. It covered the chicken completely. I failed to notice the bacon mentioned in the menu description. I only like really crispy bacon, and it was definitely not crispy, so I gave that to my husband, which left me with one very small piece of chicken in crumbs. I'm only saying this to give useful feedback for the management. I can certainly say the service was great. The staff were very respectful, helpful, and very efficient and friendly. The venue is lovely, the location unique and very accessible, plenty of parking. I will definitely come here again.
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Dianne Fearnley on Google

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We went last night with our works do. Meal awesome loved the Bread and Butter Pudding made with Filo Pastry The guys who waited on us were lovey and attentive the Bar staff great All in all a great night. Thank you everyone who made our night lovely. Will recommend . Thanks guys Cheers Dianne Fearnley
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Fiona Turner on Google

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Everything we needed. Loved having the afternoon sun in the spa. Meal was phenomenal with great hosts ensuring we got mountain views
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Matthew Greenwold on Google

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I'd definitely recommend as a place for a weekend away. Amazing staff, great restaurant, wonderful outlook. Lots of walks in your doorstep, like the walk to Dawsons falls.
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Heather Hartland on Google

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A wonderful 4 night stay at this Hotel on the slopes of Mt Egmont (Taranaki). Peter and Alie were great hosts and were always helpful with advice around the area. Beds were very comfortable and the chef served some brilliant meals. Hoping to return soon. Thanks again to you and your great team. Heather and Norm.
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Bron Edwards-Pattinson on Google

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Our group of three had an evening meal on 29th January 2020 and the food was delicious and elegantly presented. The staff were lovely too. It made our anniversary special.
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lyn bennett on Google

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The Hosts and staff were exceptional, went out of there way to make our stay special. Accomodation and food excellent. Beautiful bush walks and very relaxing.We thoroughly enjoyed our anniversary there. We will be back.

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