By Susannah Law

Hinemoana the Māori goddess reigns over the sea. She is related to Kiwa, one of the male divine guardians of the ocean. Hinemoana’s name literally translates to “Ocean woman” and she was the ocean personified.

The Hauraki Gulf features commonly seen species of orca, dolphin and stingray as well as sharks and sperm whales from Māori history. Rangitoto and Tiritiri Matangi Islands are on the horizon and the coastal birds represent the protection and support our local flora and fauna continue to receive from the sanctuary of Tiritiri and Whangaparāoa’s Shakespear Regional Park.

The Hibiscus flower represents another name often used for the Peninsula by locals “The Hibiscus Coast” and symbolizes all Polynesian people.

This pillar features scenes about the local life of European and Māori settlers and the history of Whangaparāoa including sailing, shellfish gathering and fishing, prevalent through oral stories and local knowledge.

The first store which opened 1916 was built by William Polkinghorne the younger and was located on the hill between Arkles and Manly, on the corner of Whangaparaoa and Homestead Roads.