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John James Stanaway was one of nine children born to James and Eleanor Stanaway form Camberwell, Surrey, on 16 July 1813. Both his parents were originally from Probus, Cornwall, England.

Captain John James Stanaway

Captain John James Stanaway

It remains a mystery how John arrived in the South Pacific with various stories and accounts. We do know that by 1839 he has made passage to Hokianga, New Zealand aged about 26, then, further south to the Kaipara region by the 1850’s. The majority of his life was spent on the banks of the Wairoa River where he was one of the first settlers and founder of the small village of Tokatoka.

His occupations where many and included; Captain, Master Mariner, Pilot & Assistant Pilot, Harbour Master all at the Port of Kaipara, New Zealand, Post Master, Hotelier, Bush Licence Holder, Store Owner, Gum dealer, Forman, Carpenter and Sawyer.

John died on 17 August 1874, and is buried in the Tokatoka Cemetery, on the banks of the Northern Wairoa River. He was sixty one years old, and left four wives and 16 children.

57 thoughts on “Home”

  2. Noni

    Great reading all this Family history, Joseph Patrick was my maternal Grand father, there certainly is a whole tribe of us, John must have been a very busy man.

    Liked by 1 person

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    1. gregorypaulskinner Post author

      Thanks Noni – if there is anything we can add on either JJ, Henry, or Joseph Patrick, which you may think we have missed let us know by leaving a reply on that web page – for others reading this – this is a massive project to gather information on the 3 generations from JJ, If you have any stories, or facts and pictures you would like to share please leave a reply – we will try to get all the great grand children a page asap where you can add your comments etc.

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      1. JIF

        Hi GPS
        Thanks to all concerned who have put together this valuable archive. My relationship is via Dinah and Charles Clark, Sarah’s sister Hannah is my connection, however I am loving the extended family history here.
        JIF

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    2. Corinne

      Hi my name is corinne my mother whom has passed was Marilyn Stanaway her 6 sisters and brothers were raised in mangataroto by my grandfather John Stanaway and his wife Eileen. Granddad had a quarry at the base of the bryndewyns , where after a few whiskeys he’d try blowing the top off bald rock ( lucky for us today he didn’t achieve destroying what I enjoy as a landmark) he then I believe sold the quarry to atlas? Then they moved to cleaveden, Auckland.

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      1. Kevin

        Just saw this post your grandfather and my dad were twins remember you’re mother well we visited them quite a lot she was a real tomboy I’m Kevin remember the quary going there as a young lad

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  3. Claudette

    Hi Greg

    I am the great-granddaughter of Montrose Stanaway (son of William Henry). My father has a portrait of Montrose in his home. I can take a photo of the portrait if you like or scan a copy of it and email it to you if you wish.

    Thanks,
    Claudette

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    1. gregorypaulskinner Post author

      Hi Claudette
      Montrose was the brother of my great grandmother Ida Stanaway, She married Capt Charles Bamford Daniel, My grandmother was their daughter. So we are close cousins of sorts. i would love to get a scan copy of the portrait you have of “Monty” I dont think I have any of him – I will also email you off line as I would like to get more infomation if you have any
      Greg

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        1. gregorypaulskinner Post author

          Ida’s daughter was May “Kotuku” Daniel – married Athol L Skinner, they lived mainly in Auckland, but during WW1 they moved up to Hokianga where Capt Charles worked a the signal man at the entry of the harbour – it was at that time they cought up with relatives. on their return to Auckland a few years later they decided to travel through the Kaipara over a month when they again stayed with family.

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      2. Chris Stanaway

        I’m glad I saw this , recently my son river stanaway came across a D Stanaway on his school roll in whitianga
        I went down the rabbit hole to find out I had lived in the same house as Ida in Symonds st
        Do you have any idea who the D Stan in whitianga was , regards
        C.Stanaway
        Chrisstan73@gmail.com

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  5. Wendy Stanaway-Crichton

    The whole Stanaway story is interesting and neat to keep up and meet new family…my father was Graham Norton Stanaway…his father was Charles George Stanaway…and his parents were JJ and Sarah Clarke…and I can see Toka Toka from my window every day….a lot of us still in the Kaipara…

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      1. Wendy Stanaway-Crichton

        HI…I have photos of my father…Grahame Morton Stanaway…young and old…if needed for his page,,,he was a hard working… can do kind of a attitude fella…people of the Kaipara…came looking for him…when there was a job that seemed impossible….

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  7. Judy Lanzon

    I think I am the great grandchild of Maungaroa (ere Ngaru) According to family and records, Maungaroa daughter of Ka Stanaway, had a daughter, Rira, to Waaka Mete Walker Smith) born in1879 and also three children to John Patrick Denny (Hone Tini) …. Riki, born, killed in WW1, Raiha ( my grandmother Eliza Mena) born in1895 and ,Henry born 1899 I would be very happy if you can verify or negate that this is the same Maungaroa. I have seen the same photo of Ka Stanawayin a home of one of Riras . Cant be coincidence, I reckon

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  8. Vincent Paul Stanaway

    Just a small correction
    Line John Aloysius-
    John and Nora have three children – Philip John (1912), Mary (Polly) Patricia (1915) and Vincent Paul (1918).
    Mary was known as Molly not Polly…
    I am Vincent Paul born 1956
    The old man is Vincent (no middle name) born 1918…Nora (his Mother) didn’t get him christened as they where in Auckland at the time of the Spanish flu (I think) and wouldn’t take him out.
    He was awarded The Militery Medal at Casino WWll so you could add (MM) if you wanted to differentiate.
    Regards
    Vincent Paul

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  10. Polli Marriner

    Which marae does his portrait hang in as a tipuna? Who can we contact to visit with him?

    We discovered he hangs at Ruawai Marae, but it is a pan tribal marae, not for one iwi

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    1. gregorypaulskinner Post author

      Is a great question – I do not know at this point in time. If there is anyone out there who knows can they contact us. In the mean time I know a lot of people visit his grave in the Tokatoka Cemetery – I have written a Post on where it is located if you have trouble finding the cemetery.

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      1. Polli Marriner

        My husbands Aunty Anna Marriner, saw a portrait of JJ hanging at Naumai Marae in Ruāwai early 2000s apparently. Anna husband Charles was a son of Mauriri (Jim Marriner) Marena, whose parents were Hori (George Marriner) Marena and Hera Minarapa Tika Stanaway (Sarah Marriner). Hera was the daughter of Irahapeti Rihi Tanipo Taniwe {daughter of JJ and Henipapa} & Ngaere Minarapa Tika {son of JJ and Witeperene}. Both Henipapa and Witaperene had Mohi te Hokaanga as a father but different mothers.

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        1. Amanda Stuart

          Hi Polli,
          My father was born in Auckland and adopted in 1939 and passed away in 1990 aged 51. He found his biological mother but the only information he had with regard to the identity of his father was the name George Marriner. I recently found out via DNA match that I am related to the descendants of JJ Stanaway. The other piece of information I have is that George Marriner was a lawyer? I have yet to find any evidence of this other than the name amongst Native Land Court documents. Any information would be appreciated.

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          1. Polli Marriner

            Contact me by email and I will see if I can help you untangle which George you belong to .☺️ Admin – Email sent directly

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        2. colleenstanaway

          Seeing Polli’s post jogged my memory. The portrait was in my parent’s possession for a short time in the 1980/90s when they were living at Tokatoka. One of my uncles turned up with it and said it was of JJ and that it had just been found but I don’t remember if he said where. He took it away some time later so it was fortunate that I had taken some photos of it. I can’t find the originals at the moment but have found a copy I scanned some years later so I will send it to Greg to post. I don’t think there was a name on the portrait but it does look like a younger version of him, possibly done when he was appointed Harbour Master in 1856??

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  11. Katrina Scott

    Can anyone tell me the pepeha – iwi/hapu/marae of Mohi Tawhai/his daughter Henipapa/ her daughter Ihapere?
    I am a descendant of Ihapere Stanaway- (then Cecelia – then Dolly – then Betty – then Megan – then me).

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    1. Carolyn Ngaia

      Hiya, I’m pretty sure that it’s Ngāti Whātua Iwi, Te Uri-o-Hau Hapu, Naumai Marae. Can someone else please confirm?

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      1. Mary-Claire Hanlon

        Hi Carolyn, I am so confused … I am descended from Henipapa > Henare > Joseph Patrick > Mary Agnes. So many stories about Henipapa, Wetekia, and a relationship with Hone Heke somehow. My notes say we are from Ngapuhi, so how do we fit Ngati Whatua in?

        Thanks from across the ditch .. Mary-Claire

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        1. Carolyn Ngaia

          Hi Mary-Claire, apologies for the extremely late reply!
          I am descended from the Henipapa > Irahapeti “Elizabeth” > Kuwhara “Hera” > Mauriri “James” Marriner line. You are correct, we do come from the Ngāpuhi Iwi; the death certificate of Irahapeti states that her mother, Henipapa, was from the Tahāwai Hapu. As far as I am aware, the Ngāti Whātua Iwi comes from Henipapa’s father, Mohi.

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  12. Naomi Morris - nee: Marriner

    Hi… I remember years ago my father having a book of the Stanaway family- which outlined all of the relatives (maybe). My name: Naomi Annette (Morris) nee Marriner – my mum and dad – Richard Marriner & Patricia Margaret Heath. We lived in Rotorua. I was wondering if it was at all possible to get a copy of the book.

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    1. gregorypaulskinner Post author

      Hi Naomi – I will forward your request onto Wendy. Wendy put together the revised version of the book a few years ago, I know it is not in print anymore, but she did have some USB sticks with the contents of the book. I am unsure if she has any left though.

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  13. Bradley Masters

    Hi.
    I’m one of Charles jr’s descendants via his last daughter Melanie, and her first partner Brandon. I was told stories of my great granddad’s Charles Victor, family when I was a boy and recently Greg got in contact with my Aunty Rowena, for god knows how long we knew sparsly about the stanaways, as granddad rarely spoke about it to his daughters, he passed on 6/12/1978 aged 61, to find this site via what my aunty was told, and to know I have relatives from way back when, as well as probable close? cousins via Muriel (I’m currently investigating my family tree and the website has helped enormusly thank you soso much. xx,) it’s amazing. 🙂 Once again thank you Greg and Wendy for your tremendous labour of love and care. Id love to get in contact, and hopefully one day would be able to meet up once this outbreak is over?.
    Kind regards
    Bradley Masters.

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      1. Bradley Masters

        Hi greg, thanks, yeet. By the looks of it I sure do. Haha. Sorry for the late reply, my mind wanders unfortunately. I have been in contact with Wendy so good news there, I’ll message you later on w some more photo’s of granddad as well as info. Cheers
        Bradley

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  14. Anne Atawhai Marriner

    Hello my name is
    Atawhai Marriner. My given birth name that apears on my birth certificate is Anne Atawhai but my parents always called me by my Maori name.
    I come from a family of 10 and a descendant of Captain John James Stanaway also.
    My Aunt Alexandra McEwan and uncle Mervyn Marriner wrote and published the original copy of “The Tides of Time’
    There are several copies floating around amongst my family members.
    I feel very grateful and privileged that my Aunt and uncle were kind enough to dedicate their lives to the research of our ancestor.
    I am keen to get to know my extended Stanaway family.

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  15. LeeimNeeson-Welch

    Morena, John James is my 5th Great Grandfather. Yes I believe he married four wives. Two of his marriages were Maori women and other Two were White. The two white women where named, Mary Ann (Don’t know her last name) and Sarah Clark. The two Maori women are Named, Witaparene Minarapa and Henipapa Te Hokaanga. On my tree it says they were half sisters, they had the same father but he had different wives, but I could be wrong. Witaparene’s son, Ngaere married Henipapa’s Daughter, Irahapeti, but I also could be wrong. There Daughter Ripene married Hipirini Kuku(Cook). That is where I come from, descendant from the Kuku(Cook) side.

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    1. Michael Barber

      My grand mother’s maiden name was toto karewa Elizabeth hii kuku cook then married my grandfather whakarei Barber I’m interested in finding out more about my nans side if u have any info??

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      1. pollimack

        The info I have is only from Ancestry –
        Ripene Rawinia Minarapa Kuku Cook 1874–1927, BIRTH 1874 • Wairoa, Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand, DEATH 1927 • New Zealand

        Hipirini Kuku Cook 1867–1913, BIRTH 17 NOV 1867 • Orira, Hokianga, Northland, New Zealand, DEATH APR 1913 • Mangamuka, Hokianga, Northland, New Zealand
        Children
        Haro Cook 1890–1968
        Agnes (Akinihi) Cook 1896–1943
        Ngahuia Julia Kuku Cook 1897–1926
        Hemi Kuku Cook 1899–?
        Te Whiwhi Kuku Cook 1903–?
        Parehuia Kuku Cook 1904–?
        Wahinekino Kuku Cook 1905–?
        Karena Kuku Cook 1907–?
        Ketiorangi Cook 1910–1951
        Erihapeti Totokawera (Karewa) Cook 1913–1983

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  17. Bradley Masters

    I’ve noticed a lot of cousin matches on Mildred’s end via ancestry, can’t find many if not any on great-granddad’s (I’m one of Charles victor’s great/2nd great grandsons,) has anybody else done a dna test?

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  18. Brett Stanaway

    Hi Greg
    J J Stanaway was my great grandfather, my father was Colin the youngest of a family of thirteen.Dad farmed at Toka Toka for many years. I can remember helping Dad mark JJ’s grave as the original timber headstone was long gone. We carried the materials up the hill and poured the concrete plinth. Dad then fitted the brass plaque. It was still there when I visited a few years ago. I also remember when Dad, uncle Graham and a few locals felled the big Macrocapa trees in the cemetery and cleaned them up with bulldozers. The party at the Toka Toka Pub afterwards was a night to remember.

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  20. Sharlyn Ann Stanaway

    My aunt Betty May Stanaway died 21 August 2022.
    Do you have paper copies of the family tree still available?
    Kind regards,

    Sharlyn Stanaway
    021720584

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  21. Evelyn Anderson

    I am a descendant of this man I am looking for more information about his whaling and connection to the ‘friendship’ boat suppose to be the vessel carrying so called convicted criminals

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  22. Naomi Morris

    I am interested in purchasing a copy of time and tides. I do not do Facebook. Could you please give me a phone number. I live in Brisbane.

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    1. pollimack

      Hi Naomi,
      The original 1984 version was updated in 2013. That version is not for sale any more either.
      I can provide you a digital copy of chapter Three for free as a pdf.
      This is the one with your family line in it. Email me.
      Polli

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  24. Claire Nepia

    kia ora,

    this was an interesting insight to my greats, Hana Te-auraki paraone/stanaway. So she’s my great grandmother. Her son John Nepia is my father’s, father it’s a great read what I’ve read on this sight

    thanks for that

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