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.
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