1974: Freemans’ Farm Nationalised
February 9, 2021
By AHNZ
As per usual, what was once private land has been taken over by The State. Once private farm land, Freeman’s Cottage and the block of land once farmed from it is now ‘owned’ by DOC. It’s a strategic bit of land, the gateway to Farewell Spit. The Government’s explaination for the 1974 purchase was that a “buffer zone” was required to protect the natural reserve¹.
There used to be a wealthy little town here too, until it was shut down. It had been the South Island’s northernmost settlement, Puponga. With its own, significant, coalming and sheep farming industries, including a record-holding 1km long warf for exporting Puponga’s goods. The farmer, Stephen Freeman, discovered numerous post-Moa Hunter² artifacts by developing the land with his plough which is now called the Freeman Collection. After marrying (1921,) Freeman built his home: Freeman’s Cottage. I think while the mine and that warf lasted the farm would have done very well. Mining was closed down during WW2 but came back again from 1953-74.
“Triangle Flat harboured a sizeable Maori settlement in pre-European times. ”
“Stephen purchased the block at the base of the spit around 1930 from the Riley family after marrying their daughter, Gertrude Riley. With the help of builder Charlie Hickmott, they built the cottage adjacent to where the carpark is today.”- Farewell Spit cottage gets new lease of life as conservation base; Stuff (Feb 2021)
In March 1974, Cyclone Alison smashed into New Zealand causing heavy rain, high winds, flooding, slips, death, and damage. The Freemans’ Farm was blown over with wind-blown salt-spray and no rain to clear it away³; Desolation! I figure it was around about then that the Government made Mr and Mrs Freeman an offer they couldn’t refuse.
Not just the farm but, now, even the name of the house itself has been taken by The State! The heritage cottage is now to be known as “Te Whare Whakatā, meaning ‘the place of rest'” because “Triangle Flat harboured a sizeable Maori settlement in pre-European times. ”
This is a pretty silly reason to erase a real connection to the Freemans and replace it with a contrived one based on archaeological digs. Nobody alive today has a connection to the proto-Maori heritage of this old settlement (1440-1660AD) so why invent one?
Answer: For political reasons, of course. Likewise, the pre-European descriptor which hints that European’s ousted a viable, “sizable,” Maori settlement which couldn’t be further from the truth.
Freeman builds a cottage.Freeman finds Maori remains; Freemans Collection.Freeman’s farm nationalised.Freeman’s Cottage erased, given Maori name.Freeman Collection probably also going be renamed too.
The Cottage Formerly Known as Freemans is now in the hands of some kind of health food corporation that disguises itself as a biodiversity trust, bankrolled by some American tycoon Paper Kiwi ⁴.
If it were not for Stephen Freeman and his family who created the cottage and discovered the stone age relics nobody would even known about the prehistoric settlement! He is repaid by having his cottage nationalised and his posterity striped. Next thing you know the collection of artifacts, the Freeman Collection, will be re-named as well! That’s exactly what’s been attempted, as posted earlier, concerning the Willetts Collection of Otago (“Waitaki Taoka.”)
Soon there might be nothing left, even the ‘Freeman Access’ road might be re-branded, perhaps colonised by a new Maori name? Or, perhaps it will be the name of a hegemonic politician. Ardern Road, anyone? This would be in keeping with the next intersection down the road, Seddon Street. Prime Minister Richard Seddon is probably the most successful man in New Zealand history when it comes to putting his name on things. There are Seddon Streets all over the place, even there at Farewell Spit!
Revisionism! It’s enough to make you an Anarchist.
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1 Ref. Farewell Spit and Puponga Farm Park, Golden Bay; TBA.co.nz
2. Ref. “”The radiocarbon dates indicate human occupation of Triangle Flat sometime between about 1440 and 1660 AD.,” An archaeological survey of Triangle Flat, Puponga Farm Park; Walton and Bagley (2000); dl.heritage.org.nz
3 Ref. The End of the Rainbow; NZGeo
4. Ref. HealthPost Nature Trust & “The Advertise with Stuff Healthpost Nature Trust ‘thrilled’ by surprise $100,000 donation to conservation; Stuff (2020)
Image ref. Signpost along Farewell Spit; AHNZ Archives (2019)
Image ref. Puponga Warf; Auckland Weekly News; Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections
Image ref. Puponga Warf, remains; AHNZ Archives (2019)
Image ref. Yet Another Seddon Street; AHNZ Archives (2019)
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