Over the years JJ has had a number of headstones – the first being a wooden board – last seen in the nineties (if any family member has it in safe keeping could they make contact).
Then there is the Totara slab and a mounted plaque. Sadly the Totara slab has been the favorite meal for some wood eating insects and is now on its way out.
The trees that had been surrounding the site have once again been cleared and the site opened up again.
Now we are just checking the level of interest and how people would feel if we propose to install a new headstone for John James at the Tokatoka Cemetery.
Tokatoka Cemetery – Mark Adams photograph
I have already spoken to the local council and they are open to the idea (funny enough when I started to speak to them about the idea they said his name – they know his grave).
They said it was up to the family if they would like a new headstone and would only be interested in what was proposed and did not see any restrictions.
My current thoughts are to see what the level of interest is – if no one is interested we will leave it how it is, if there is enough interest we will take the next step.
Please let us know what you think – perhaps we could have a new headstone unveiling at a family reunion in the next twelve to eighteen months or so.
As a side note for those interested, the Tokatoka Cemetery has no burial plots available. Any current vacant plots have been reserved or are already owned. However I am sure if there is enough interest from descendants of JJ that we could bring some pressure on the council that more land could be made available for family.
Captain John James Stanaway 1813 - 1874 
I would definitely be interested in a family reunion and updating the headstone to, keep me informed please, happy to help.
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would be very interested in attending
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Kia Ora whanau I remember the last reunion I was very young, but sadly didn’t go.
My father descended from matehaere heni Stanaway my dads mother was Huhana (Susan)Te hara married Terewai Tipene.
I support a reunion and the construction of a memorial stone at the same time.
Just a suggestion,maybe contact the Mariner family,since they organised the first reunion
Also I realise the logical and organization involved.
But I truly believe this can be achieved and what a day that would be.
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Kia Ora Antonio, thanks for your comments, like you I was young when the first reunion was staged, my parents did not go but did get a copy of Tides of Time from the Mariner’s. Probably in the new year I might start looking in to it a bit more.
Also if you can help with your side of the family tree – as you can see I have a lot of information on some branches and hardly any on others – an information you have would be great – let me know if you can help and I will contact you outside this forum.
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It’s been a very long time since I wrote those
Comments.
Gregory if you are still interested please feel welcome to contact me via email thanks.
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Antonio – received your message on the web site – your email address bounced back for some reason
I assume you’re talking about a Stanaway Re-union – if that is the case I did have a post already to go out to start drumming up the interest but put it on hold when the Covid-19 outbreak started
So will need to give it some time for things to settle down – but we are not too far off for a 50th anniversary since the last re-union – so that might have to be the target (which is still a little way off)
I do understand it did take a couple of years to get the first one organized
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Kia Ora Gregory,
Sorry if my email bounced back,
I think it so important, for the sake of our children and grandchildren.
To keep the memories of our ancestor (JJ Stanaway).
Please don’t get me wrong Gregory, I’m so proud of my father having a famous ancestor.
I tell you when my parents received the letter from the Mariners.
Inviting them to the reunion, they couldn’t attend.
But my mother wanted me to go instead, like I said I was too young.
So for my family sake, it’s imperative that we attend the next reunion.
I’m so excited Gregory I can’t wait.
But in the mean time I would appreciate it, if we could keep our communication open please and feel welcome to ask me any questions.
Your Cousin
Antonio Colin Tipene
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Thanks – so I can place people can you tell me which line of the family you come from – I am from William Stanaway – Ida Stanaway – May Kotuku Daniel – Patrick Skinner
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Hi Gregory I’m descended from Witaparene = JJ STANAWAY
NGAERE Minarapa Tika STANAWAY =
Irahapeti Rihi Tanapo STANAWAY.
Matehaere Heni Minarapa = Himi Te Hara
Huhana Te Hara Tipene.= Terewai Tipene.
Karena Colin Terewai Tipene = Irihia Lily Tipene.
Antonio Colin Tipene = Caroline Poka
In the 1984 reunion book my name is Antonia.
My siblings are : Raewyn James,Huhana,Kathleen, Violet Murphy, Brownie, Marara and Alec.
We also had an older brother karena but he died.
I have two son’s and one Daughter as well as six grand children.
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I saw jj’s grave on find a grave.com, my great nan and granddad from my dad’s side: Irene May, and harold Jackson, are on there along with JJ, they don’t have descriptons, however. I think a new plaque is a good option, would love to stay up to date.
Kind regards
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