BOLLAND’S TOKOTOKO -1843 

In 1843 23-year-old William Bolland became St. Mary’s first priest. He was commissioned by George Selwyn to serve both European and Māori in the region, from Pihama in the south to Waitara in the north. Bolland regularly walked long distances visiting his parishioners and often traveled to Otumatua Pā in Pihama, where Hōne Pīhama presented him with this carved tokotoko, to aid him in his travels. The Tokotoko now resides in safe keeping at Puke Ariki Museum, New Plymouth.