Where is Kohu Kohu? **Completed**

[Andcarred]

 

Hi,

Can anyone tell me where a place called Kohu Kohu might be on the north island of New Zealand.  I believe it is north of Auckland and a very remote spot, possibly on the coast. 

My ancestor was apparently an hotel keeper there in 1893 and I have no idea what he would be doing in such an isolated place.  When he died there in 1893 his probate was done in Auckland.

Does Kohu Kohu still exist today or is it a ghost town?

Any clues will be most appreciated.

[Abby]

Hi Andcarred,

Kohukohu is way up north on the Hokianga harbour. 

You might find this site of interest:
http://www.kohukohu.co.nz/

Good luck with your hunting.

Cheers,
Abby

[Andcarred]

Hi Abbey,

Thanks for the very helpful reply and web address.

Andcarred

[Mk2_Zephyr]

Let me know if you need anything, d missus's relatives all come from up there, we just up last month and going back in a couple of weeks.


Beautiful little village on north side of Hokianga harbour

Crazy graveyard on side of hill.

Link for graveyard,   http://rid.fndc.govt.nz/searchform.php

                                                             

[Andcarred]

Hi,

Thanks so much for the Cemetery link.  I have found that he was buried at Rawene on 16 October, 1893  Name:  Sydney Herbert Godden    He was the local publican at Kohu Kohu as far as I know.  Do you happen to know where Rawene is?

Carol

[Mk2_Zephyr]

Hi Carol,

Rawene is a little village on the south side of the harbour, there is a car ferry that crosses the water from Kohukohu to Rawene, so they have always been sort of linked.

Can't guarantee getting the probate soon, but maybe before it closes down.

 

[Mk2_Zephyr]

Rawene Cem.

In loving memory of Sydney Herbert Godden, who was drowned in the Hokianga river, 16th Oct 1893, aged 31


buried next to him is a Charles Hogg, aged 38 who also drowned the same day.

My guess is either a boat accident or one drowned trying to save the other.

[Andcarred]

Hi,

Thank you so much for this information, it has solved a family mystery after a century or so.  Funnily enough he also had a brother who drowned on the Island of Curacao and the family sent his body by boat back to England in a barrell of rum.  Must be these Cornish mining families never learned to swim!

If I ever get the chance to visit NZ again this area will be top of my list.

Carol

[Andcarred]

Hi,

An update on the drowning of Sydney Godden from newspaper articles at the time.  The man buried next to him in Rawene cemetery is the local policeman, Constable Hogg, who was with him in the boat at the time it turned over.  They were returning from KohuKohu to Rawene.  Sydney's body was found the next day on the beach at Mutakaraka near Te Raro.  The constable's body was not found for a few days.  He left a wife and 4 children and had previously been stationed at Kamo and Whangarei.

Sydney Godden's hotel was at Rawene, not KohuKohu as originally thought.  I think it might be the hotel known as the Masonic Hotel.

Carol