Te Rauparaha

Judge Michael Gilfedder - 1932

In Seventeen sixty-nine were born three heroes famed afar,

They were Wellington and Bonaparte and our chief Te Rauparaha.
The last named hailed from Kawhia with its splendour harbour view,
Where Hoturoa came to land the Tainui canoe.

When Te Rauparaha to manhood grew, much courage he displayed,

The destinies of many tribes were by his prowess swayed;
Shrewd counsellor in times of peace, great strategist in war,
The chiefs of tribes and hapus sought advice from Rauparaha.

The prudent Waka Nene and Te Waharoa brave,

With Ngapuhi’s and Haua’s would weaker tribes enslave.
Would plot and plan the slaughter of the Ngati Maru bands,
And curb Waikato’s haughty Chief and seize his tribal lands.

Rauparaha lead the Toa’s, the Raukawa’s called him Chief,

To Tama’s and the Awa’s he brought succour and relief;
The Ariki Tukino was his staunch and steady friend,
Ever ready to his ally a helping hand to lend.

Our Chieftain saw the time had come when he must elsewhere go,
Ere Ngatitoa fell prey to a musket-armed foe.
So, he led his tribe to Kapiti, left his native home behind,
And a life of war and worry in the new land did he find.

He captured Rerewhaka at the Battle of Shark's Tooth,

And crushed Kaikoura Maoris at Omihapa forsooth.
Relentless were the measures this chieftain did employ,
And ruthless was his slaughter at the sack of Kaiapoi.

When twenty years of war had closed, he built a church and shrine,
And died at loved Otaki in eighteen forty-nine.
Throughout our fair Dominion, at every Maori pa,
One hears the name, the deeds and fame of the Great Te Rauparaha.

TE RAUPARAHA
circa 1935
By Michael Gilfedder Ll.M.. MA Judge of the Native Land Court 1909-1930

Inside cover
Te Rauparaha was born at Kawhia in 1769 – the same year as Napoleon Bonaparte and the
Duke of Wellington were born. He died on Nov 27th, 1849 being 80 years old
Rangihaeata – the nephew of Te Rauparaha was born in 1786 and died in November 1856
aged 70. His other was Waitohi sister of Rauparaha and she died in November 1839.
Tamihana Rauparaha, the son of Te Rauparaha and Akau was born at Puohos Kainga near the
Mokau during the first migration in 1822.
1826 Heke Whirinui. Ng. Raukawa migrate from Taupo to Kapiti to join Te Rauparaha
1826 Heke Kariritahi under Taratoa
1827 Heke Mairaro under Whatanui Te Peehi Kupe was the uncle of Rauparaha and he was
mainly instrumental in taking Kapiti. He went to England in 1825 as a stowaway to procure
guns and ammunition as Hongi Heke had done some 5 years previously. He returned with
some guns and later went to Sydney returning in 1829 with firearms. He was killed at
Kaiapoi
The Ng Koata was a hapu of Ng Toa.

Page1
Te Rauparaha the able ruthless Maori warrior, Chief of the Ngati Toa tribe was born at
Kawhia in 1769. His tribe occupied the West Coast of the north Island between Kawhia and
Mokau and extending inland as far as Pirongia and the valleys of the Waipa and the
Mangarama. They held this tract of country from the time of their ancestor Hoturoa who it is
alleged came in the Tainui canoe from Hawaiki about 1250AD and their descendants spread
as far eastward as Maungatautari.
It is claimed that Hoturoa was also the ancestor of Ngati Raukawa, Ngati Kowhata and Ngati
Maniapoto. Some of the great Native chiefs who were the contemporaries of Te Rauparaha
were:
(1) Te Heuheu Tukino of Ng Tuwharetoa who was overwhelmed in 1846 by the great
landslip at his village of Te Rapa near Lake Taupo.
(2) Te Wherowhero - the leading chief of Ngati Maniapoto
(3) Hongi and Tamati Waka Nene of the powerful Ngapuhi
(4) Waharoa of the Ngatihana tribe
(5) Tukurua of the Ngati Maru of Matamata

Te Rauparaha had brothers and sisters mostly older than himself but none of them ever
achieved any distinction except his sisters who become mother of the celebrated Rangihaeata
and Topiera, the mother of Matine te Whiwhi.

About 40 more pages

Page 2
Te Rauparaha had many wives but the chief was Akau, the mother of Tamihana Te
Rauparaha – well known to both Natives and Europeans in the Otaki District.
In the early years of the 19th century, Te Rauparaha visited many parts of the North such as
Tauranga and the Thames as well as Rotorua and Maungatautari and even went to visit
Ngapuhi leaders at the Hokianga and sought to strengthen himself by conquering the weaker
tribes and forming alliances with the more powerful ones. He did not descend from the line of
Arikis and consequently never held the sway and mana of such as Te Heuheu but his skill and
judgment as leader and his courage and success in battle raised him so high in the estimation
of the Ng Toa and Ng Raukawa that he was regarded as a great chief. His great design was to
annihilate the Waikatos under Te Wherowhero when he was strong enough but through an
alliance with Waharoa and the acquisition of firearm the Waikatos became too powerful.
Te Rauparaha returned to Kawhia, gained a few minor victories over the Waikatos and
cultivated the friendship of the Ngatiawas of Taranaki and by his practice of hospitality and
his tact he greatly increased his power and influence with his own Ngati Toa tribe.

Page 3
(The Tauas were abundant from Hokianga from Nov 1819 to October 1820)
In 1819, a Ngapuhi taua (war party) under Tamati Waka Nene and his brother Patuone came
to Kawhia and persuaded Te Rauparaha to join them in a raid upon the Southern tribes. They
were well supplied with guns and ammunition and march South through the territory of the
friendly Ngatiawas and made war on the Ngatiapa and other coastal tribes who were disposed
with great slaughter – those who were not slain or taken slaves being driven into the hills and
?? fastnesses ?? where many perished from exposure and want. There was a section of the
Ngatiapa on Kapiti Island, but these were not molested as the hostile party pushed on to
Whanganui-a-tara or Wellington and dispersed the inhabitants – a section of the Ng
Kahungunu who fled to the Wairarapa but were overtaken and defeated with great slaughter
at Tauherenikau. The survivors fled to Porangahau and the victors returned to Wellington. Te
Rauparaha saw a passing ship in Cook Strait and Tamati Waka Nene pointing out to him the
advantages of trading with the Europeans and obtaining muskets. He resolved to take
permanent possession of all the coast between Wellington and Patea as he liked the country
very much. With this in view he returned to Kawhia to make arrangements
Page 4
to remove his tribe down in order to take the land and settle in it. Laden with spoil and
accompanied with many slaves, the successful war party returned by the same course as they
had come killing any natives they met on the way and reached Kawhia where Waka Nene and
Patuone with their Ngapuhi and Ng Whatua warriors left Te Rauparaha and returned to their
own country at Hokianga. They made a present of 50 guns to Te Rauparaha. As well as being
Ng Toa, Te Rauparaha was by descent and inter-marriages a minor chief of Ng Raukawa and
on the death of Hape – the Ariki of Ng Raukawa – was selected leader, more on account of
his military prowess than for his rank, His mana was therefor not so great as that of a
hereditary chief but as military advisor and leader, his position power and influence among
the Ng Raukawa much strengthened him in his projected conquest over the Ng Apa
Rangitane and Muaupoko ? and the settlement of their lands by the Ng Toa tribe.
For two reason Te Rauparaha induced his tribesmen to migrate from Kawhia Maungatautari
and other parts of the Waikato and settle on Kapiti and the mainland opposite which was
fertile and suitable for Maori Settlement. These two reasons were:
Page 5
1. The knowledge that the Waikatos were becoming so powerful that they would soon
become troublesome to and perhaps overwhelm the Ng Toa people.
2. Because the introduction of firearms had so changed the character of warfare that the
possession of guns and ammunition became indispensable and Kapiti Island being
near the line Cook Strait trading vessels and whalers there was a good opportunity of
acquiring firearms from European traders through barter.
In 1826 the first migration from Kawhia trekked down by the course of the Rangitikei
river to Kapiti. This was called the Heke Whirinui. This was followed by the Heke
Kariritahi of 140 fighting men and their families under the command of Taratoa in
1826 and the Heke Mairaro under Whatanui in 1827. In the early part of the 19th
century the Maori population was very large and the ruthless wars in the North were
arising to the highest pitch, the savage instincts of the race, moral considerations
exercised but little restraint on the individual or the tribe and the nearest relatives did
not hesitate on the slightest to destroy and devour each other. With the possession of a
few guns the Ngapuhis under Hongi Hika and the Ng Whatua under Tamati Waka
Nene
Page 6
(The gun was called pu atua – the devil’s gun. Trumpets were also called pu)

Spread terror and destruction amongst the tribes further south decimating the Ng Paoa
?? of Auckland and Ng Maru and others at the Thames where a chief Tui killed 200
with the loss on his side of only 4 men. (See the account of Major Cruise of the
Dromedary 1819-1820) The Thames people were now beginning to obtain guns
through barter with the whalers and traders and Te Rauparaha who was out of the
highways of trade could easily realise he was placed at a disadvantage. He could see
that the utmost valour even though supported by superior numbers fighting with
native weapons must be of no avail against the deadly musket used by such daring
and bloodthirsty people as the New Zealanders. He therefore sought by alliances and
concessions to stave off the attacks until he could reach Kapiti and obtain European
weapons. He was related to the Ng Awa and Ng Tama and formed an alliance with
these tribes so as to enable his “hekes” to pass safely through their territory. He
promised Te Wherowhero – the Waikato chief – that he would cede him Kawhia
when he departed. Te Wherowhero was delighted with the easy acquisition of so
much good territory; and the departure of a formidable enemy which would enable
him to concentrate against Waharoa and the powerful Ng Hauas

(At least 2 pages missing from original script)

Page 7
child of the wife of a chief Tangahoe to be killed because the mother could not keep it
from crying – as such might betray the fact that there were women in the party. They
 crossed the Mokau on the following morning and reached the pas of the Ng Awa and
Ng Tama and upon being reinforced by these allies Rauparaha went back and secured
the bodies of Tutakara and the other four Maniapoto slain the previous day. They
brought them to Mokau and feasted on them with great rejoicings on the part of the
Ng Awa and Ng Tama. Rauparaha moved on and joined the main party in Taranaki.
Te Wherowhero and Wakaroa formed a combined project to attack Rauparaha at
Motunui before he could get reinforced by Ng Awa and Ng Tama. He got a few Ng
Awa men however on short notice unexpectedly fell on the Waikatos killing 150 men
including the chiefs Hiakai and Mama and others. Te Wherowhero and Wakaroa fled
during the night. After a great feast on the bodies of the slain Te Rauparaha returned
to Maungatautari to try to induce his friends there to join him in his project on Kapiti.
He called on Te Heuheu who promised to support him on Kapiti but not on the
mainland. At Opepe on Lake Taupo he met Whatanui – leader of a large section of Ng
Raukawa. He could not induce these
Page 8
To accompany him to Kapiti as the Ng Raukawas had not so much affection for him as for
their own hereditary arikis. Te Rauparaha passed on to Tauranga to seek the support of Te
Waru who declined to leave Tauranga and Motiti and Tuhua Islands. Hongi Hika and Pomare
were besieging Ng Maru pa at the Thames where the Ngapuhi killed the children of Tokoahu
who was both related to Pomare and Te Rauparaha. It was decided that Tuhaurangi – a
Ngapuhi leader – with a few others should be sacrificed to appease the mores of Tokoahu’s
children. The men who were under Tuhaurangi’s leadership were handed over by Pomare to
Rauparaha and went with him to join his Ng Toas in Taranaki. Arrived there Rauparaha
induced Wi Kingi Rangitake with 400 Ng Awas to join him and Pomare’s Ngapuhis. His own
strength was 200 Ng Toas. While he was away at the Thames two important events
happened. (1) Whatanui and Ng Raukawas of Taupo having decided to help him at Kapiti,
had gone down by Ahuriri (where they had been invited by the Kahungunu) (2) a large war
party of Waikatos under Tukorehu Te Kepa, Te Kawau Apihai and other leaders came down
by the East Coast and invaded the District that Rauparaha was about to seize. They defeated
the Muaupoko, Rangitane and Ng Apa people. Whatanui came into conflict with the Ng
Kahungunu

Page 9
And being defeated he went back with the remnant of his Ng Raukawas to Maungatautari.
Late in the autumn of 1822 Te Rauparaha resumed his journey south and killed a number of
people at Waitotara in return for the murder of his people. Thence he proceeded to Wanganui.
He and the women and children and men on foot along the coast.
It was the intention of Te Rauparaha to take Kapiti and procure firearms which would enable
him to conquer all the lands from Rangitikei to Wellington and to obtain canoes which would
enable him to cross over and take the South Island with its reputed treasures of greenstone.
Rauparaha after a rest at Rangitikei pushed on to the Manawatu, but not finding any of the Ng
Apas or Rangitanes near the coast he came on to Ohau where the Muaupokos (who occupied
all the land from the Manawatu to Otaki and had their pas on lakes Horowhenua and
Papaitonga) tried to murder him. They invited him to Papaitonga to make him a present of
several large canoes. The plot was concocted by Tinoa and Paetaki (the father of Mete Kingi)
and Toheriri at whose whare Rauparaha was to be murdered. However, escaped but many of
his people were massacred. The Ng Toa terrible revenge and nearly wiped out the
Page 10
Muaupoko. Toheriri being tortured, killed and eaten. Rauparaha took up his abode at Ohau
and held all the land from the Otaki to the Rangitikei constantly hunting for enemies along
the whole coast. He was not able to at that time to take Kapiti although he made numerous
attempts but a ruse was resorted to by which the was taken by Te Pehi Kupe – the uncle of
Rauparaha – the residents being thrown off their guard by the (1) knowledge that Te
Rauparaha with his Ng Toa and Ng Awa forces had gone to the Horowhenua to harass the
remnants of Muaupoko and Rangitane there and (2) the rumour that through jealousy Te Pehi
and Rauparaha were on bad terms. Rauparaha now took up his permanent abode on Kapiti
where he had 3 strong pas
1 Wharekohu in the South
2 Rangatira – towards the North
3 Taipiro – between these two.
Rauparaha and Rangihaeata lived at Taipiro.
At this time the Muaupokos were powerful and suffered less from the invasions of the
Ngapuhis and Waikatos than did the neighbouring tribes but they were no match for the Ng
Toas assisted by the Ng Awas and depended more upon
Page 11
Their knowledge of the fortresses of the forests and swamps of the Manawatu and the
inaccessibility of their pas in Lake Horowhenua than on their prowess in the field.
In his determination to eliminate the Muaupoko and Rangitane, the Ng Toa leader attacked
and took with considerable slaughter the 2 pas in Lake Horowhenua – Waipata and
Waikiekie. Those Maniapotos who escaped fled to Paekakariki and built a strong pa there _
Waimapihi. In 1850 W Kingi with his Ng Awa forces returned to Waitara leaving only 20
warriors of his with Rauparaha. Although there were a few minor disputes with the Ng Apa
yet owing to the connection of Rangihaeata with Pikinga, the Ng Toa as a whole were
friendly towards them: but the following events made Rauparaha and Rangihaeata to use the
words of Matene Te Whiwhi –“dark in their hearts to Ng Apa” and they resolved to spare no
efforts to destroy them as well as the Muaupoko and Rangitane.
The Muaupoko pa at Paekakariki was attacked and taken by Rauparaha with considerable
loss – the victors remaining for 2 months the provisions found there and the bodies of the
slain. Here they were suddenly attacked by Ng Kahungunu from Wanganui-a-tara and
(Waimapihi was originally a Ng Kahungunu pa)
Page 12
And driven back to Waikanae with great loss. As the Muaupoko, Rangitane and Ng Apa were
collecting great forces in the vicinity Ng Toa fell back to Kapiti expecting to remain there
until Rauparaha got help from Taupo and Maungatautari. The Rangitane a strong pa, Hotuiti,
to the north of the Manawatu where 3 leading Ng Apa chiefs joined them. This pa was
treacherously taken by Rauparaha who party eat the leading Ng Apa and Rangitane chiefs
and carried other off to Waikanae where they met the same fate. In revenge for this perfidy,
the incensed Ng Apa assisted by the Rangitane of Hotuiti and Muaupoko of Horowhenua fell
in the night upon the Ng Toa at Waikanae slaughtering 60 persons including the 4 daughters
of Te Pehi. On the arrival of reinforcements from Kapiti the attackers fled but were not
pursued.
When the pas at Horowhenua were taken and the chief of Muaupoko were taken one named
Ratu was not slain but became the slave of Te Pehi by whom he was taken to Kapiti. He
however escaped to the South Island and organised an alliance between the tribes around
Picton and the Kahungunu of Wellington and Wairarapa
Page 13
With the tribes between Patea and Rangitikei with the object of bringing an irresistible force
of 2000 fighting men against the Ng Toa. These were composed of
1. Ngati Awa from Waitotara
2. Rangitane from Manawatu and South Island
3. Ng Apa
4. Tribes between Patea and Rangitikei
5. Ng Kahungunu
6. Ng Tumatakokiri and Ng Huia from the South Island
These crossed over to Kapiti about 4 in the morning from Otaki and Waikanae and
attacked Rangatira with an amount of success till Rauparaha and his men from Taepiri
arrived and after a long and sanguinary conflict at Waiouru. The invaders were defeated
with tremendous slaughter- 170 bodies lying on the beach whilst many were drowned in
trying to reach their canoes. After this great victory, there was no effort ever again made
again to dislodge the Ng Toas who lost no opportunity in wreaking vengeance on the Ng
Apa, Rangitane and Muaupoko whom they killed or reduced to slavery. Then a large
party came down from Taranaki under Puaka and became associated with the Ng Toa.
Also came the hapus of Ng Hinetuhi and Ng Whakatere. Also, from Taupo came Te Ahu
Karamu and 120 Raukawa fighting men and he was so struck with the strong position of
the Ng Toa
Page 14
That he went back to Taupo to report matters and so bring down the rest of his Ng
Raukawa people. As they were reluctant to come, he burned their houses and then they
came with Heke Whirinui Whatanui and Te Heuheu came with them to see Rauparaha
and the country. Whatanui was persuaded to go back and bring down his people. There
were many conflicts with local people as Whatanui and Te Heuheu came down and
returned and a sister of Te Heuheu named Reremai was slain and 3 Ng Apa prisoners
were sacrificed as an atonement. Whalers and European traders had by this time been
visiting Kapiti and Rauparaha had obtained guns and ammunition in exchange for flax
and potatoes. The latter had been introduced into the Manawatu by Ng Toa and were now
extensively grown. Te Pehi Kupe having in 1826 to stow himself away on a homeward
bound vessel went to England like Hongi to procure firearms. (This episode is alluded to
in the volume of 1830 of the Library of Entertaining Knowledge)
A dispute having arisen between Ng Awa and Ng Raukawa, Waitohi the sister of
Rauparaha suggested a partition of the land – so that the Ng Raukawa should take the
country between the Kukutauaki and the Whangaehu whilst the Ng Awa should take the
land between the Kukutauaki and Waikanae. This was agreed
Page 15
to and The Ng Raukawas were escorted to Ohau and the Ng Awas came to Waikanae and
there were no more disputes for a long time.
Now came the Heke Kariritahi from Maungatautari under the leadership of Taratoa. It
consisted of 140 fighting men and was called Kariritahi because the touchhole of their
guns was enlarged to enable them more readily to shoot rapidly. Whatanui accompanied
this Heke but as Rauparaha was absent he hurried back to bring down his people and he
did so in the Heke Mairaro.
As so many Northern reinforcements were coming down and harassing the Ng Apa the
latter resolved to seek the protection of the Ng Kahungunu of the Wairarapa and 300 of
them trekked thither but as the Rangitane had killed and eaten a Ng Kahungunu man
some time before the Ng Apas would not be received but were driven back with
slaughter. They then placed themselves in a state of vassalage under Rangihaeata.
Similarly, a remnant of Muaupoko sought and obtained protection of Tuauaine, a chief of
Ng Awa and were to be allowed to live at Papaitonga and Horowhenua but they were
attacked by
Page 16
Rauparaha and Rangihaeata and many were killed or taken prisoners – Tuauaine not
being able to protect them. After Whatanui returned with his Heke Mairaro there were no
further migrations though for many years small parties straggled down from Kawhia,
Maungatautari and Taupo to join and augment the settlements of their tribes between
Otaki and Rangitikei principally about Horowhenua and Ohau whilst the Ng Apa
occupied the country to the north of Rangitikei under the protection of Rangihaeata and
Tarartoa yielding tribute to both these chiefs as a condition of being their being allowed
there in peace.
In 1828 Rauparaha being well supplied with guns and ammunition and having 340 picked
warriors belonging to Ng Toa, Ng Awa Ng Tama and Ng Raukawa started on a voyage to
the South Island to fight Rerewhaka of Kaikoura, who smarting after the Ng Tahu defeat
at Waiorua boasted how he would rip open Rauparaha with a shark’s tooth should he
catch him in his territory. Rauparaha’s leaders were Niho (son of Te Pehi) Takerei Te
Kanae, Te Kaihua and Te Puoho. These landed at D’Urville Island and being well armed
Page 17
And slaughtered the Rangitane tribe who had peopled the northern parts of the South
Island since they overcame and destroyed the Ng Mamoe 200 years before and who
though brave and numerous were only armed with Maori weapons of war.
About this time Te Pehi returned from England with firearms and joined Rauparaha with
considerable reinforcements. The main taua now separated into 2 Rauparaha and Te Pehi
with 300 well-armed men going to Kaikoura to punish Rerewhaka, feast on the slain
enemies and get greenstone. – the other divisions going westward to Blind and Massacre
Bays - (Tasman Bay / Te Tai-o-Aorere, originally known as Blind Bay) The greenstone,
jadeite or nephrite was only obtainable on the West Coast but the Ngaitahu of Amuri and
Kaikoura sent parties across the hills to kill and plunder the tribes on the West. They had two
routes to the West Coast – one through Cannibal Gorge (Kopiokaitangata) and the other
through the Hanmer plains to the Ahaura and Grey rivers – plenty of wekas, eels and kakapo
supported the parties on their war journeys to and from the West Coast, while on the return
journey they generally had prisoners to kill and devour. Generally great quantities of
greenstone both in the rough and made

Page 18
Into war weapons or ornaments were obtained and Rauparaha was eager to seize.
In 4 days Rauparaha and his taua reached Kaikoura at daybreak and as the defenders who
were expecting a chief and his followers from the South went out to welcome them.
Rauparaha’s party caught them unprepared, took the pa, killed 1400 men women and
children and returned to Kapiti with much booty and many prisoners including
Rerewhaka who was subjected to many indignities and tortures on account of his threat
and was then slain and eaten
In 1829 Rauparaha again set out to attack the Ngaitahu’s of Kaikoura because a Ng
Kahungunu chief Kekerengu had insulted Rangihaeata and taken refuge with Ngaitahu.
The defenders abandoned the pa and fled to Amuri but were overtaken and defeated at
Omihi with great slaughter, numbers of prisoner being taken. Leaving a guard to watch
the prisoners Rauparaha pushed on to take Kaiapoi pa south of the Ashley River. This
was a large strong pa protected on three sides by a deep swamp, a deep ditch. A double
line of palisading and two large outworks protected the front.
Page 19
Rauparaha, in order to put the defenders off their guard, pretended that he had come to
trade and exchange firearms for greenstone, but he could not be induced to come into the
pa and an unguarded expression by Te Pehi aroused Ngaitahu suspicions and they fell on
the chiefs Te Pehi and Pokaitara. Te Aratangata and others of the Ng Raukawa and Ng
Toa tribes. Rauparaha retired to Omihi and killed and devoured the prisoners he had left
there and returned to Kapiti thirsting for revenge whenever an opportunity offered to
destroy the Kaiapoi Natives. (A petition presented to the House in 1869 states that
Rauparaha assailed the Kaiapoi people because the Rangitane said Rauparaha was to be
killed with a stick used for beating fern root. So, he attacked and defeated Rangitane and
when Rerewhaka heard that his relatives had been slain he boasted that he would rip up
Rauparaha with shark’s tooth and this led to war upon the Natives of the South Island.
The people of Kaiapoi were inclined to make peace with Rauparaha, states the petition,
and sent to him a messenger Tamaiharanui for that purpose and discussed terms of peace
with Te Pehi but Rauparaha went Tuahiwi and dug up and ate the decomposed body of
the grandmother of Tamaiharanui. For this Te Pehi and others were killed.
Page 20
Rauparaha brooded much over the murder of his uncle Te Pehi of whom he was no longer
jealous as he had taken a subordinate position and was a wise counsellor and valiant
leader. Rauparaha and his chiefs decided to charter a pakeha vessel to bring them to
Kaiapoi to wreck vengeance and one Hohepa Tamaihengia tried to persuade the captain
of a sealing vessel to take them to Kaiapoi, but he refused. However, for a cargo of flax
Rauparaha prevailed upon Stewart the captain of an English brig the “Elizabeth” to bring
the Ng Toa to Akaroa. Tamaiharanui and his daughter were seized- the village was
attacked, and many persons slain and carried off to Kapiti. Tamaiharanui slew his
daughter on the way up and he on arrival at Kapiti was handed over to the widows of Te
Pehi who subjected him to many tortures before killing him with a red-hot ramrod
through the neck. (Note Mr Knight’s account of Mrs Haupapa killing the girl at
Ohinemutu pa – Wilson’s Waharoa.
Rauparaha, the following year assembled a large force comprising Ng Toa, Ng Awa and
Ng Raukawa and went over to attack Kaiapoi going by way of the Wairau gorge, Hanmer
plains and Waipara River
Page 21
A number of the Kaiapoi Natives had gone to Lyttleton to farewell Taiaroa who was
returning to the Otago Heads. Rauparaha had kept his plans for attack so secret that the
defenders were quite unprepared – many of them being shot outside the pa in their
cultivations. The attack by the Ng Toa was at the outset was unsuccessful so they sat
down to a regular siege. Taiaroa and his men were apprised of the attack and returned and
with difficulty got into the pa. Finding sorties useless the Ngaitahus determined to act
simply on the defensive in their strong and well provisioned pa. Rauparaha however
sapped up to the outworks, piled up dry brushworks and fern waiting for a favourable
wind to blow the flames against the palisades. The Ngaitahu set this on fire themselves
but while burning the wind suddenly changed and overcome by heat and smoke, they the
defenders had to move back and then Ng Toa rushed in through the burning ruins, took
the pa and slaughtered many and took other prisoners. Parties were sent out to scour the
country as far as the Rakaia and coastal villages and hundreds were slain. Then
Rauparaha with much booty and many prisoners returned to Kapiti. 1832
Page 22 chap 7 ??
At the earnest request of Ng Raukawa who had been defeated by a Wanganui tribe
Rauparaha went to Wanganui with a thousand warriors belonging to his three tribes. Te
Puke and his brother Te Ao who had escaped from the slaughter by the Wanganuis went
to Kapiti for aid, accompanied Rauparaha who laid siege to Putikiwaranui (Putiki) and
after 2 months carried the enemies works and slaughtered many. Turoa and Hori Kingi
were amongst those that had escaped but so strong was Rauparaha that no attempt was
made to avenge this serious disaster. The remnants of Ng Apa, Rangitane and Muaupoko
were much too weak to cause Rauparaha any trouble.
In 1835 after the destruction of the Waikatos of the great Ng Awa pa Pukerangiora near
Waitara, a great body of the Ng Awa came down the coast under Te Puni, Wi Tako and
Wharepouri – many settling at Waikanae and others coming on to Wellington and the
Hutt driving out the section of the Ng Kahungunu who had settled there
The Ng Tama people under Kaeaea had previously defeated the Waikatos under Te
Wherowhero and Taiporutu (the father of Waharoa and grandfather of William
Thompson Tarapipi) who was crucified in the gateway of Kaeaea s ?? pa. From this
incident Waharoa took his name. The Waikatos
Page 23
who were now strong and well-armed attacked the Ng Awas and after a prolonged contest
defeated them with great slaughter. Te Wherowhero slaying 250 with his own hands. The
remainder of the tribe joined Rauparaha and the Ng Raukawa. The Ng Awa and Ng
Raukawa fell out and when the Ng Raukawa caught a party of Ng Ruanui plundering
their potato pits at Waikawa a fight took place and Tawhaki of Ng Ruanui was killed. The
conflicts went on and Rauparaha asked Te Heuheu to bring down a sufficient force to
quell the disturbance and punish the aggressive Ng Ruanui. Te Heuheu came down with
800 men and such chiefs as Tariki and Taonui from Taupo and Maungatautari. They
attacked the Ngati Awa at the Horowhenua pa near the Otaki River and a series of
engagements took place, Te Heuheu losing his favourite brother Papaka and Rauparaha
losing his son Te Pipi. At length a great battle was fought at Pakakutu where Ng Ruanui
were defeated with great loss, heir pa taken and their chief Taharangi killed. Peace was
then made through the good offices of Te Heuheu and Whatanui and the Ng Raukawa
went to occupy Ohau, Horowhenua and the land between the Manawatu and Rangitikei
while the Ng Awa retired to the country between Waikanae and Wellington where they
Page 24
Where they were located when the N.Z. Land Company officials came to settle
Wellington.
Owing to dissensions among his own tribes Te Rauparaha resolved to get together his
more intimate friends and go back to Maungatautari and end his days there but Te
Heuheu and Ng Toa induced Rauparaha to remain at Kapiti. \
After this time Te Rauparaha took no part in major fights or aggressions although he
never lost an opportunity of oppressing or persecuting the Muaupoko until at length the
remnant of that tribe as well as the Ng Apa and Rangitane sought the protection of Te
Whatanui who promised to protect them from the wrath of Rauparaha and they were
allowed to live at Horowhenua as the tributaries or slaves of Whatanui.
The son of Tanguru – Te Kepa Rangihiwinui or Major Kemp used to say “Whatanui took
them under his protection and promised that nothing should reach them but the rain from
heaven. Matene Te Whiwhi said Rauparaha was anxious to exterminate Muaupoko but
Whatanui interfered. Some had been taken prisoner, but others were living dispersed in
the mountains. When they came to Horowhenua they came like wild dogs if they had
been
Page 25
seen they would have been caught and killed. There was one woman there of high rank
whose possessions had covered all Otaki and who had been a slave of mine. She was the
wife of Te Kooku. They had been taken but not killed” Although Rauparaha did not
directly protect the Muaupoko yet he conspired with Wi Tako and other chiefs in inviting
the tribe to a feast at Ohariu at which 150 attended in spite of the warning of Whatanui.
They were all killed and eaten.
About 1836 the Ng Mutunga of Poneke who were a section of the Ng Awa tribe chartered
the English brig “Rodney” which took them to the Chatham Islands where they
slaughtered and consumed the Morioris, a helpless unwarlike and plump looking people.
In less than two years the Morioris were reduced from 1500 to 200. When Rauparaha
divided his force at D’Urville Island prior to his descent on the Kaikoura pa he left a
contingent under the leadership of Niho Takerei, Te Koihua and Te Puoho and these
attacked and destroyed the settlements of the Rangitane and Ng Apa at Blind and
Massacre Bays. Te Koihua steeled at Pakaurau in Massacre Bay and was seen there by
traders about 1870. He and his wife though very old travelled down the coast in 1858 and
brought back a big
Page 26 Kuititanga fought 16/11/39
Slab of rough greenstone which they began to shape into a mere. Niho and Takerei
proceeded down the coast to the Hokitika River killing or taking prisoners – nearly all the
inhabitants of the Coast. Amongst the prisoners was Tuhuru who was afterwards
ransomed by the Ng Tahu for a celebrated mere called Kai Karohi now possessed by the
descendants of Matenga Te Aupouri. Niko and Takerei settled near the mouth of the Grey
River and some of their followers settled at different North and South of that river.
In 1839 Colonel Wakefield arrived at Wellington I the “Tory” On November 16th, 1839
the Tory arrived at Kapiti and Wakefield was told a sanguinary battle had been fought
that morning near Waikanae between the Ng Raukawa and Ng Awa who at the funeral of
Waitohi (the sister of Rauparaha) renewed the old tribal land feuds. Ng Raukawa were
defeated and Rauparaha who arrived on the scene too late for the battle narrowly escaped
by swimming off to his canoe. This fight is called Kirititonga. Kirititonga – Mr E.J.
Wakefield in his Adventures in New Zealand gives the following account of the
Colonel’s meeting with Rauparaha. “We had just made up a boat’s crew from the cabin
party to go over and see the field of battle the surgeons taking their instruments with them
Page 27
When a message arrived from Rauparaha. He was on Evans Island the nearest of the 3
islets and expressed a desire to see Colonel Wakefield. Therefore, we pulled round and
went to see him. He had just returned from the scene of bloodshed whither he asserted he
had gone to restore peace; and seeing the arrival of our ship which was taken for a man f
war by many including the Europeans he had betaken himself with all his goods to the
residence of an English whaler named Thomas Evans on whom he relied for protection
from some imaginary danger. We had heard while in Cloudy Bay that Rauparaha had
expressed himself in somewhat violent terms towards us for purchasing Port Nicholson
without his sanction and he was described by the whalers as giving way to great alarm.
When told what the ship was and having inquired anxiously what natives we had
onboard. As we leaped from our boat, he advanced to meet us with looks of evident and
mistrust, eagerly sought our hands to exchange the missionary greeting. During the whole
of the ensuing conversation he seemed uneasy and insincere in his own opinion and the
whalers present described his behaviour as totally at variance with his usual boastfulness
and arrogance. He made us a pious speech about the battle
Page 28
Saying that he had no part in it and he was determined to give no encouragement to
fighting. He agreed to come on board the next day and departed to one of the
neighbouring islands. He is rather under the average height and very dignified and stately
in his manner although on this occasion it was much affected by the wandering and
watchful glances which he frequently threw around him as tough distrustful of everyone.
Although 60 years old he might have passed for a much younger man being hale and stout
and his hair but slightly grizzled. His features are aquiline and striking but an
overhanging upper lip retreating forehead on which his eyebrows wrinkled back when he
lifted his deep sunken eyelids and penetrating eyes produced a fatal effect on good
prestige arising from his first appearance. The great chieftain, the man able to lead others
and habituated to wield authority was clear at first sight but the savage ferocity of the
tiger who would not scruple to use any means for the attainment of that power, the
destructive ambition of a selfish despot was plainly discernible on a nearer view.
Innumerable accounts have been related to me of Rauparaha’s unbounded treachery. No
sacrifice of honour or feeling seems to have been too great
Page 29
For him if conducive to his own aggrandizement or security. He had been known to have
thrown one of his own men overboard in order to lighten his canoe when pursued by
enemy and he had slaughtered one of his own slaves at the late feast at Mana so as to
appear opulent in the eyes of his assembled guests. This was in one of the poor
submissive hard-working tributaries whom we had seen at the Pelorus. In his intercourse
with the white whalers and traders and the shipping in the strait he had universally
distinguished himself by the same qualities. By dint of cringing and fawning upon those
who showed power and inclination to resist his constant extortions, and the most
determined resolve and bullying towards those whom he knew to be at his mercy, he
succeeded in obtaining a large revenue from the white population whether transient or
permanent which he invariably applied to the extension of his power among the natives.
He was always accompanied in these marauding excursions which he frequently extended
over to Cloudy Bay and Queen Charlotte Sound. by Rangihaeata who had become his
inseparable companion since his rise in authority. There respective status was pithily
described by one of the whalers who told us that “Robuller” as he mispronounced his
name “cast the bullets and Rangihaeata shot them” Rauparaha
Page 30
Was the mind and his mate the body on these blackmail gathering rounds. They had bot
acquired a violent taste for grog and this firearms and powder were the principal articles
demanded.
Certainly, Rauparaha came into contact with a low rough class of European traders,
sailors and whalers and would not favourably strike Wakefield. He was a master of all the
treacherous acts practiced by the Maori warrior, he was ruthless in carrying out his design
regardless of their fearful results, yet he was no worse than his great contemporaries
Hongi Waharoa or Te Wherowhero. No one would have thought that Te Wherowhero the
tall ???ful dignified chief who dressed as an English gentleman conversed with guests in
the drawing rooms of Government House at Auckland was one and the same as the naked
savage who smashed the skulls of 250 defenceless prisoners at Pukerangiora. Whatever
Mr Wakefield may have heard of Rauparaha’s treachery towards his own people it must
be remembered that their love and respect for him were very great and the influence he
acquired with such men as Te Heuheu and Whatanui indicates that he possessed the
highest qualities as a chief in the Maori estimation.
Page 31