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Kawaha Point is an important headland on to
Lake Rotorua and was chosen as an early
settlement by Maori. Close to the shores were
fishing villages and further up on the headland
was a fortified pa. As the most efficient
transport was by canoe, the views gave resident
tribes security by being aware of any warriors
or visitors arriving by water. Remnants of this
early Maori civilisation are still evident and
the rock-strewn headland still has the grassy
trenches and ramparts of this ancient pa.
History indicates an ancient past of
well-established tribal settlements over many
years some with substantial dwellings on the
headland point. At one time, it was a stronghold
of the famous chieftain, Tunohopu with his
family of wives, children, warriors and slaves.
Inside the outer fortifications, a vegetable
garden was cultivated for the chieftain and his
family. Kawaha Point was a favored garden area
and many crops grew in the fertile volcanic soil
including Maori potatoes, the kumara, served at
the Lodge today.
Kawaha Point Lodge began its life in the late
1930s as the lakeside home of local bakery
owner, Tom Johnstone. The Scotsman, together
with his Irish wife Mary-Anne, built the stone
walls and grotto that still stand today, using
rock from a local quarry. The original house,
Rose Cottage, now forms the East wing of the
existing lodge.
After the Second World War the property was
sold to the well-known newspaper publishing
family, the Wilsons who still publish The New
Zealand Herald today.
The Seavills bought the house in the late
1990's after several more distinguished families
had enjoyed the house as a holiday home, and it
became a guest lodge.
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