1841: Breaking Up With Okiato
March 13, 2025
By AHNZ
Today in New Zealand history, 13 March, 1841, William Hobson’s Gang relocated to Auckland. He came on a summers day bringing gifts from far away. The settlement of Okaito was a fine girl. “What a good wife you would be,” said Hobson. Ah, but his life and love and lady was Auckland from the very first.
As early as 30 January, the same day Hobson arrived at the Bay of Islands, he was asking about the other girl to the south. Missionary Henry Williams spoke of this place to the south, the legendary “maiden contended for] by a hundred lovers.” He said “…the land about the Tamaki and Waitemata was not occupied by either natives or Europeans, and possessed advantages beyond all other places; commanding convenient access by the river Thames to the interior of the country; the river Kaipara to the North, through extensive kauri forests; also by Manukau to the river Waikato, which takes its rise in Taupo lake, in the centre of the island; that there was a vast extent of fine country without an inhabitant; that the island of Waiheke and other islands formed safe roadsteads, with their numberless small bays, for vessels of all sizes.” Hobson was smitten. Ref. The Life of Henry Williams, Hugh Carleton (1874,) Stone (2002)
The settlement of Okaito was made his supposed new love and vows were exchanged. She took a new married name after Hobson’s patron: Russell. A massive dowry of £15,000 from its owner, James Clendon. Or, if that’s not what it was then nobody has come up with a better explanation for such a huge payment.
Supposedly important, according to our mainstream and government-approved history, Waitangi and the Bay of Islands were never where Hobson wanted to be at all.
He was eyeing up ‘Tamaki Makaurau’ from the day he landed. Hobson spent about 20 days in his first capital before starting his affair Auckland. Would have left sooner if he could have but bad winds and a stick Captain Joseph Nias delayed the tryst.
“Hobson had been unwilling to shift himself and the capital from Russell to Auckland until adequate public buildings had been built to make it an effective seat of government. Believing that such a point had been reached by February 1841, he informed Governor Gipps that he intended to begin progressively moving his senior officials on the government brig Victoria to Auckland in readiness for his own shift there.” – Stone (2002)
“On 6 March the Herald dropped anchor at Kororareka. Probably in response to medical advice, Hobson remained on shipboard for three days, gathering strength. Shortland then conducted him to Waimate, with the governor being borne on a litter through the bush over the last stages of the journey.” – ibid
“Hobson blew his budget buying land for a capital at the Bay of Islands but soon abandoned it for Auckland. Bringing New Zealand’s first taxman with them, the Hobson Gang was going broke and needed to steal some money to survive.” – 1842: Death of Hobson, AHNZ
“The people of Kororareka must have wished Hobson never came as their home was ash within 5 years of his coming; They all fled to Auckland.” – 1845: The Sacking of Russell, AHNZ
Auckland is where Hobson would probably have stayed at that point had a paralising stroke not turned him back almost at once. The show must go on but Hobson was stuck in recovery mode for months and could not leave. So, it seems he made Russell his temporary fling until he could get the lady he really wanted.
The Hobson Gang was up to some shady stuff under the noses of people who could put a stop to it. No time to wait a year to get Auckland up and running. Russell had population and infrastructure so was used by the Gang to get to where it was going.
To extend the analogy, after Hobson left to hook up with Auckland there was an enormous relationship meltdown with Russell. It involved looting, burning, shooting, panic. She was right to feel spurned. Hobson had ill-used her to work his way up the dating pool. Ref. 1845: The Sacking of Russell, AHNZ
Lots of songs about a woman scorned and famous among them is You Oughta Know, Alanis Morissette (1995.) To change the lyrics around a bit: I want you to know…that I’m happy for you. I wish nothing but the best for you both…Did you forget about me? In the fire and debris? I hate to bug you in the middle of dinner. It was a slap in the face how quickly I was replaced. As I’m burning down you have your shiny new town. And are you thinking of me when you plot her?
On the other hand, Hobson was more playing the part of Fifty Ways To Leave Your Lover, Paul Simon (1975.) Hobson sighed and said, You know, this town just ain’t for me, I need a better place, one closer to the sea. The Bay of Islands’. Nice. But Auckland’s where I’d rather be. There must be fifty ways to leave your capital. Just slip out the back, Bill! Head for the hill, Will! He didn’t leave a note, he didn’t say goodbye. Packed up the gang. Left Russell high and dry. And he left Bill said “Sorry, folks, I’ve got a new love in my eye.” There must be fifty ways to leave your capital…
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