History of the Village
The
award winning Howick Historical Village is a living museum presenting
life in a Fencible village during the early settlement of Europeans
in Auckland. It was opened in 1980 by the Governor General Sir
Keith Holyoake. The Village contains over 30 buildings brought together
mainly from the Fencible settlements of Howick, Panmure, Otahuhu and Onehunga and lovingly restored
by the Howick and Districts Historical Society members.
The
land was leased by Manukau City Council to the Society in 1972 after
many years of discussing possibilities for a Village. Research of
each building suitable for the Village was initiated. Fundraising
was by cake stalls in Picton Street in Howick and Christmas card
sales. As buildings arrived on site, a large team of volunteers,
under retired carpenter Arthur White, restored them to their original
appearance. Shingle roofs, brick chimneys, sandstone slab paths
and shell roads were constructed.
The Mission Statement states that the Howick Historical Village is “To enlighten and stimulate awareness for a better understanding of our local heritage and culture by presenting village life in a Fencible settlement during the period 1840 to 1880”.
The Fencibles
The Fencibles were retired soldiers who signed up to emigrate to New Zealand, mostly from Ireland and the midlands of England. Initially they were housed in tents or temporary sheds.
The soldiers were offered a new life in New Zealand; a free passage with their families and a cottage with an acre of land to become theirs after a seven year term, in return for certain military duties including compulsory Sunday church parade. In all, ten ships brought the Fencibles to Auckland from 1847 to 1852. Their promised two-roomed cottages were not ready on arrival, so raupo cottages were built with the help of friendly local Maori.
The Fencible scheme was the largest Government funded early immigration scheme for Auckland. Many of their descendants still live in the area today. |
