Discover the Arawhata Pioneer Cemetery
Located just past Neils Beach on the Haast Jackson Bay Road, the Arawhata Pioneer Cemetery is a historical site that reflects the challenges faced by early settlers in the Jackson Bay area. Established in the 1870s, this cemetery was for some of those who participated in an unsuccessful attempt to create a substantial settlement in the region.
A Historical Reflection
The Arawhata Pioneer Cemetery serves as a poignant reminder of the difficulties encountered by early migrants in South Westland. Over time, the forest has reclaimed much of the cemetery, with only a few graves still visible. This overgrowth highlights the harsh realities of settling and living in Te Wāhipounamu, despite its visual allure.
In the 1870s, Jackson Bay became the site of one of New Zealand’s most ill-fated government-backed settlement schemes. In an attempt to populate this part of the remote South Westland coast, the government brought in immigrants from Germany, Italy, and Poland to establish a farming community. However, the lack of actual farming experience combined with the dense rainforest, high rainfall, and poor soil made agriculture nearly impossible.
With limited infrastructure, isolation from other settlements, and constant flooding from the Arawhata and Waiatoto Rivers, the settlers soon faced extreme hardship. By the late 1880s, most had abandoned the area, leaving behind scattered homesteads, overgrown tracks, and remnants like the Arawhata Pioneer Cemetery, silent markers of an ambitious plan that nature quickly reclaimed.
How to Get There
To visit the Arawhata Pioneer Cemetery, travel along the Haast Jackson Bay Road. The cemetery is situated just after Neils Beach as you head towards Jackson Bay. This area offers a glimpse into the past and the enduring challenges faced by those who once sought to make a home in this remote part of New Zealand.
Nearby, you can take the Wharekai te Kou Walk, walk to Lake Ellery and check out the Okuru Estuary.
