The "Ventnor Project" The Story & Wreck of the Ventnor |
In the hauntingly beautiful Hokianga, took place a story of two cultures and a discovery that closes a chapter in history. The story began in 1902 when a ship, the S.S. Ventnor left Otago carrying the bones of around 500 Chinese gold miners. They were returning to their homeland, but tragically the ship sank off the Hokinga bar just a day after leaving New Zealand on 29 October 1902. Woven through the sands of the remote Hokianga Coast, the secret was kept for more than a hundred years before it was finally uncovered. To discover and commemorate this loss, the Ventnor Project, has been undertaken since 2009 and led by Wong Liu Shueng and a group of NZ-Chinese to research the whole story of the wreck of the Ventnor and its context - where the bones on board came from, the villages they were being sent to - from the Chinese point of view. But it was and is a story of all communities and tribes in the area. Ms Wong made contact with local iwi, Te Roroa, elders, who confirmed their ancestors had gathered the bones and buried them. Many were laid to rest in a wahi tapu just south of Kawerua, on the edge of Waipoua Forest. She also made contact with Te Rarawa further north, who had passed down similar stories, and began organising ceremonies to put the miners' souls to rest and give thanks to west coast iwi. The papers and and research from the project have now been handed over for safekeeping in the Hokianga Historical Society Museum. More recently, moves have been taken to preserve and protect the wreck and site which is about 15 kms offshore, by placing the wreck on the NZ Archaeological Association's site recording scheme. The wreck has also now been gazetted by Heritage NZ, meaning no more items may be removed from it without permission. |
The S.S. Ventnor |
The S.S. Ventnor survivors outside Mr. Bryers house on the beach at Omapere - Photo courtesy of the Sir George Grey collection, Auckland Public Libraries |
The "Auckland Star" of 30 October 1902 (courtesy of "Papers Past") |
Hokianga History and Memorabilia |