Ringi Ngakuru worked at Crown Lynn Potteries for over thirty years. She oversaw the fettling (removal of marks) and handle departments, and was one of Crown Lynn’s longest-serving and most well-respected employees.  

Ringi was also the great-granddaughter of Kawiti – one of the chiefs who signed te Tiriti o Waitangi in 1840. Kawiti was the representative of Ngāti Hine – a hapū located Northland – which is part of the wider Ngāpuhi iwi. Kawiti was a fierce protector of his land and people, and had a reputation as a skilled peacemaker [1].

In 1840, when William Hobson arrived in Aotearoa, Kawiti vehemently resisted the introduction of British rule. He refused to sign te Tiriti at the official Waitangi meetings in early February, concerned that his signing would result in land-loss for his people. However, Kawiti’s community encouraged him to sign, and he eventually did so in May of 1840. This is why Kawiti’s signature appears above the signatures of February 6th.  

In 1845, Kawiti allied with Hone Heke – both men committed to challenging British sovereignty in Aotearoa. He was part of multiple well-known conflicts between Māori and Pakeha, including the cutting of the flagstaff at Kororāreka (Russell) and the building of, and battle at, Ruapekapeka pā (the Bats’ Nest) culminating in January of 1846.  

Ringi Ngakuru’s whakapapa influenced her role at Crown Lynn Potteries. In a 2005 interview with Valerie Monk, Sir Tom Clark describes how Ngakuru’s social standing meant she had an important leadership position – especially amongst Māori members of staff. He describes her as, “...the big cheese what she said went...” [2].  

In another of Valerie Monk’s interviews, Alan Topham recounts one of his fondest memories of Ringi Ngakuru [3]. When Dorothy Grant – a glassware designer from the United States – arrived at Crown Lynn Potteries, Ringi greeted her outside the factory and presented her with a pounamu necklace. Alan felt that this was Ringi’s way of welcoming Dorothy to the company, extending the hope that it would be a positive experience for all.  

Ringi Ngakuru is also remembered as a staunch boss. In a speech by Chris Harvey (a Crown Lynn’s employee from 1967 to 1989), he tells the story of Ringi introducing a young woman to work in the handle room [4]. The new employee had arrived for work with lovely long fingernails – perhaps not expecting the work to be so hands-on. Ringi knew her long fingernails would hinder her ability to do her job, and taking out a pair of pinking shears, chopped them all off!  

Throughout her time at Crown Lynn, Ringi’s influence only grew. She was one of seven staff presented to Queen Elizabeth on her visit to the factory in 1963 [5]. And, in 1970, Crown Lynn released the Ngakura Ware range – a range which highlighted Māori motifs and design history. It is believed that, although spelt differently, Ngakura Ware was named after Ringi Ngakuru [6]. Clearly, Ringi Ngakuru was greatly respected within the Crown Lynn community – both amongst the staff she oversaw, and those in the factory’s leadership.   

[1] Kene Hine Te Uira Martin, “Kawiti, Te Ruki”, Te Ara, The Encylopedia of New Zealand, 1990, https://teara.govt.nz/en/biographies/1k4/kawiti-te-ruki#:~:text=Kawiti%20and%20his%20first%20wife,they%20had%20a%20daughter%2C%20Tuahine. 

[2] Sir Tom Clark, “Tom Clark Interview 10”, interview by Valerie Ringer Monk, March 2004, pg. 12.  

[3] Alan Topham, “Alan Topham Interview 3”, interview by Valerie Ringer Monk, July 29, 2004, pg.11.  

[4] Chris Harvey, “Crown Lynn – Speech at Public Meeting”, notes by Valerie Ringer Monk, September 21, 2004, pg.1. 

[5] NZ Press Association, “To Meet Queen, Descendant of Treaty Chief”, Press, January 31, 1963. https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19630131.2.131?items_per_page=10&query=ringi+ngakuru+&snippet=true#image-tab  

[6] New Zealand Ceramics, April 1970. Portage Ceramics Trust Collection.