Edward Hansen

(5) Edward Hansen Edward was born at Oihi on June 24th, 1823 and became a butcher and had his own business in Kawakawa. He married in 1847 to Mary Ann Cains, born 1829 in Sydney, she had been eight years old when she came with her family to New Zealand. They had eleven children and retired to Opotiki where Edward is buried. Mary Ann died at Kawakawa. Edward was an enthusiastic student of the local Maori Chief and learnt the genealogy of the tribe.

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Edward Hansen

Edward Hansen was born at Hohi on 26th June 1823, and was baptised in 1825. As a child growing up at Hohi, at the base of Rangihoua Pā, Edward developed a close friendship with the son of one of the local chiefs, and learned to speak the Ngapuhi dialect fluently. He was so interested in learning the tribal genealogy that he was held up as a role model by the chief to his own son.

During the Northern Wars, Edward served as an interpreter to the British troops. Edward would have been present at the battles of Ohaeawai and Ruapekapeka. Edward married Mary Ann Cains on 19th September 1847. The marriage took place at Te Wahapu, near Russell, where the 58th Regiment was based during the Northern Wars. Both Edward and Mary Ann made their marks in the register. The newly married couple moved to Fort Street in Auckland where a daughter, Isabella Rebecca, was born on 22nd January 1849. Edward’s occupation in the register was listed as farmer. But when Isabella was baptised six months later, his occupation had changed to mariner. Twin boys, Edward and Roland, were born on 5th November 1850 at which time Edward’s occupation was listed as boatman. By 1854, Edward and Mary Ann had returned to the Bay of Islands where their fourth child, William Thomas was baptised on 22nd April by Rev Frank Gould at Kororareka. The baptismal register in Paihia showed the changes in Edward’s occupation. When Maria, born 21st May 1856, was baptised, Edwards’s occupation was listed as butcher. On the entry for Henry, born 20th August 1858, Edward’s occupation was listed as farmer. From 1861, Edward’s occupation was listed as settler of Haruru. Here, four more children were born; Ella on 16th June 1863, Walter on 3rd October 1867, Annie on 15th March 1870, and Sydney on 13th April 1871.

A motor camp called The Pines is today located beside Haruru Falls. In an old brochure, the history of the site was outlined, including details of the first hostelry built on the cliffs overlooking the Haruru Falls. It was reputed to have been built by a Captain Hansen. It is likely that this person was Edward Hansen, who described himself as a mariner. Haruru Falls is located 4 km up the Waitangi River, the furthest extent that can be reached by boat. Edward would have shipped goods up the river to Haruru Falls from whence they were distributed to settlers in the interior.

From Haruru Falls, Edward and Mary Ann moved to make their home in Kawakawa where Edward was known to have worked as a butcher and Mary Ann had a boarding house Edward and Mary Ann retired to Opotiki where their daughter Ella Marion Webb was living. Edward had become quite a big man by this stage; he was over six feet tall and weighed about 16 stone. As a result, he suffered from heart problems and died on 9th November 1894 as a result of heart valve failure. Edward’s grave in Opotiki was washed away in a flood, so a new headstone was erected recently on the Webb family plot in the same cemetery.

After Edward’s death, Mary Ann returned to Northland to live near her three other children, Mary Ann died six months later on 20th May 1895, and was buried in Kawakawa Cemetery.

Researched by Kath Hansen. Written by Eric Hanse

• Residence: Auckland then BOI then Haruru Falls then Kawakawa then Opotiki - From 1847 To 1894