Uncle Sam’s Head?

The sale of Te Kuri/Young Nick’s Head to an American financier has not escaped international notice. Symbolic for both Maori and European firsts (reputed to be the first land seen by Captain Cook’s Endeavour), comparisons were made between Young Nick’s Head and the iconic Plymouth Rock. After press coverage, and discussion with locals and government, the American buyer donated the headlands to the government for protection in order to safe-guard the culturally and historically significant land.