Te Ngawai war memorial

Te Ngawai war memorial.

The memorial is in what was the old Te Ngawai School grounds – now a recreation reserve (of sorts). The school has gone, except for its concrete foundations. Two walnut trees which look about as old as the memorial both threaten it and are gradually being chopped back or down.

The Te Ngawai community was established in 1897, but dispersed after the Second World War. In 1963 Te Ngawai was replaced on the map by Camp Valley and Limestone Valley. The memorial has recently been at the centre of a debate between local Māori and historians petitioning to reinstate the 'Te Ngawai' placename. Read more here.