Kerikeri cemetery find reveals stories of sailors from historic training ship Amokura

A headstone discovery in Kerikeri cemetery has revealed stories of young sailors from the training ship Amokura. The headstone of William Cruller, who died aboard the ship, sparked further research into its history. The Amokura, originally HMS Sparrow, was renamed in 1906 and designated as a training ship for young men. This naval tradition has been largely overlooked until now. Heritage New Zealand manager Bill Edwards found the headstone while researching grave symbolism for a public talk. His findings highlight the significance of the Amokura in New Zealand's maritime history.