On 18 April 1847, the homestead of artist John Gilfillan at Matarawa was attacked by a group of six young upriver Māori. The raid followed the accidental shooting of a Māori man, Hapurona Ngārangi, by a British midshipman in Whanganui two days prior. Mary Gilfillan and three of her children were killed in the attack, while John and another daughter were severely wounded.
The attackers fled upriver but were captured by Māori from Pūtiki, who handed them over to the British authorities. Four were subsequently hanged for murder on 26 April 1847, significantly escalating tensions in the region.
The site of the farm is located in the Matarawa Valley, east of Whanganui. The original homestead was destroyed during the raid and is marked by two small signs. A memorial to the Gilfillan family is located at the Heads Road Cemetery in Whanganui.
Location source:
Google Street View; correspondence with Whanganui District Council
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