Wheat-growing Industry

Before the Hauhau war broke out on the East Coast in 1865, the Maoris sowed wheat extensively. With the surplus wheat, the Ngati-Porou tribe were able to purchase their own schooners in which they took their produce to the Auckland market. With hand-mills, pieces of which can still be seen today, the Maoris ground some of the wheat into flour for their own use. The war put an end to the industry.