Kekerengu

Kēkerengū is a settlement in northern Kaikōura District, Canterbury, on the South Island of New Zealand. It is situtated along State Highway 1 between Kaikōura and Blenheim. It is named for Te Kēkerengū, a chief of the Ngāti Ira hapū who was slain in the region alongside his mother and followers.

History

Kēkerengū is named for Te Kēkerengū, an early 19th century chief of the Ngāti Ira hapū, the son of chief Whanake and his wife Tāmairangi. Fleeing hostilities from the Ngāti Toa and Ngāti Mutunga, Te Kēkerengū and Tāmairangi fled with their followers to the South Island. They were killed along the eastern coast of the island, although the culprits and location differ in local histories, generally attributed to either the forces of the pursuing Te Rauparaha, or to the local Ngāi Tahu itself. One attributed location of their deaths was afterwards dubbed Te Kotinga-o-Kēkerengū ('the dismemberment of Kekerengu'). The site was initially spelled Kekerangu by early settlers, and pronounced "Giggerigoo".

In 1942, a local store was converted into St George’s Church, one of the smallest church buildings still in use in New Zealand.

Geography

Kēkerengū is a small settlement located along State Highway 1 in the Kaikōura District of Canterbury on the east coast of the South Island of New Zealand. It is located 56 kilometres (35 mi) from the district seat of Kaikōura, and 73 kilometres (45 mi) south of Blenheim in neighboring Marlborough.