The Feud With Rauparaha.

The story of the capture of Te Mara Hara Nui by the noted chief Rauparaha is the most striking event in the Maori history of the Peninsula Canon Stack, in the first sections of this work, pages 35 43, gives a good account of the events which lead up to the capture of the great Ngai Tahu chief. Later Billy Simpson gives a version obtained from one of the Maoris who was whaling with him at the Piraki fishery in the thirties. According to Canon Stack, Te Pehi met his death at the Kaiapoi pah when on a visit with Rauparaha, and moreover the Kaiapoi Maoris killed these northerners, as they considered they were meditating an attack upon them. Rauparaha and his relative, Te Pehi, had come to Kaiapoi after killing all the inhabitants at Omihi. Even if the Kaiapoi people thought the punishment by Rauparaha for the foolish boast of the Omihi chief—that "if Rauparaha ever dared to come upon his territory, he would rip his body open with a barracouta tooth"—was only a just one, the murder of all their friends must have made them suspicious. There is no doubt that Canon Stack's story is correct in all the small details. The account given by Billy Simpson is incorrect in several matters. First of all, he calls Captain Stewart's brig the Martha, instead of the Elizabeth. Then he confuses the two expeditions of Rauparaha. Rauparaha and his warriors, when abducting Te Mai Hara Nui merely landed at Wainui, and destroyed that pah, murdering all the inhabitants they could find. There seems little doubt that the detailed account of the abduction, as given on pages 142-144, is correct, and it agrees in every essential with that given by Canon Stack, who obtained his information from one of Rauparaha's warriors, Ihara Pouhawaiki, who was actually a page 361member of the expedition. The site of Te Mai Hara Nui's pah was at Wainui, and the Elizabeth waited in harbour for some days, as the chief was over in Little River superintending the preparation of a cargo of flax. As to account given by G J B. on pages 135 139 of the death of Te Pehi, his story of Te Mai Ham Nui killing Te Pehi in wrath because she latter demanded the greenstone is not borne out by any other authorities, though, as will be seen, greenstone did enter into the story. There is no doubt that Te Pehi was killed at Kaiapoi, and under the circumstances previously mentioned. Also Rauparaha returned to Kapiti with his capture, Te Mai Hara Nui, and returned later, when he destroyed the Kaiapoi pah and captured the Onawe fortress in Akaroa Harbour There has been so much surmise about this incident of late, and so much written in conjecture that the writer has been at some pains to go back and find the truth. It appears that Canon Stack's account is the one that coincides with that given by the Maoris, as their monument at Little River shows. This monument was erected on March 22, 1900, by the South Island Maoris for a specific reason. Much annoyance had been caused to the South Island Maoris by the vainglorious boasts on the monument of Te Rauparaha at Otaki, and more so that the defeat of the Kaiapoi Maoris was alluded to in scornful terms. The members of tbe South Island Ngai Tahu tribe determined to retaliate, and erected a monument to Tangata Hara who had killed Te Pehi, one of the greatest of the northern rangiteras(chiefs) This would show that the North had not always come off victorious. The monument was built by Mr J B. Mansfield, of Christchurch, and is quite an imposing piece of sculpture A base of hewn bluestone, three feet square by twenty inches high, carries a white marble pedestal rising to a height of five feet and twenty-four inches less in area than the bluestone base. On the sides of this pedestal are inscribed in Maori language the history of the fighting and the names of the noted chiefs engaged. There are no fewer than 3000 letters in the story as told on the marble, and the letters are of metal page 362beaten into the stone. Surmounting the whole is a figure of a Maori chief in warhike attitude, armed with a tomahawk and clothed with a Maori mat. The figure is five feet six inches high, is of pure white marble, and a good piece of work We give an illustration of the monument on the opposite page. The ceremony of unveiling this monument to Tangata Hara was performed by the Hon. Hari Kenei, M L.C, on March 22, 1900. Other distinguished people present were Messrs T. Parata, M.H.K., C Tikao, T Te Kahi, G. Robinson and T. Green, who all gave addresses The Rev. Braithwaite conducted the service, and the Kaiapoi choir sang hymns with much effect, and it was said that their voices were exceedingly beautiful. The ceremony was one ia which all the South Island Natives were interested, as the statue is practically a vindication of the honour of the Ngai Tahu tribe, who were naturally iucensed at the tone in which Rauparaha's massacre of the Kaiapoi branch was referred to on the monument erected at Otaki. The foregoing information regarding this ceremony has been taken from a copy of the "Akaroa Mail" of that time. The article concludes:—

"There were some 400 Maoris present in all, and about 800 of these were visitors from Kaikoura, Kaiapoi, Raupaki, Tau Mutu, Temuka, Waiho, Waitaki, Moeraki, Taieri, Clutha, and other places. Many Southland Maoris could not come because it was the mutton bird season. It appears that the reason this monument was erected was because of the vainglorious boasts on the monument of Te Rauparaha at Otaki, on which the defeat of the Kaiapoi Maoris is scornfully alluded to. As against Te Rauparaha's memorial, there is now a statue erected to the South Island Maori who killed Te Pehi, one of their greatest rangiteras. The Maoris from other places brought gifts. Kaiapoi brought a bullock and many biscuits, and other offerings were relative. The Maori Hall grounds were brilliant with the many bright colours of the ladies' dresses, and some specially beautiful flax and feather cloaks were seen, as well as many handsome greenstone ornaments. A bullock, roasted whole, and a mass of food page 363 of all kinds, from hapuka head to duff, was partaken of by both Maoris and Europeans. The train from Christchurch brought 300 passengers, who seemed to enjoy the Maori proceedings In the evening there was a ball and the haka was danced. The Maori visitors returned to their homes after a week's stay in Akaroa."

The following is a translation of the Maori inscription on the monument, and as will be seen it tells the story of the feud and death of Te Pehi and Te Mai Hara Nui very concisely:—

"This statue is erected in memory of Tangata Hara, a native of New Zealand, of the Tuketerau clan of the Ngarahura tribe, a renowned warrior, died at Akaroa on December 13th, 1847; aged 75 years. He was in Kaiapoi Pa on the arrival of Te Rauparaha's first expedition, during their stay, probably about three months, pretending and professing peace. Haketara warned the chiefs of the pah to be on their guard as treachery contemplated an attack on the pah. Shortly after this was verified, when Te Pehi and others were slain The expedition then returned to the other island This expedition is known by the name of Te Niho Maka. Subsequently the expedition returned to Akaroa on board a vessel commanded by Captain Stewart, when Te Mai Hara Nui was captured and taken prisoner by them and murdered. Te Rauparaha afterwards returned with his third expedition, composed of several tribes and clans to attack Kaiapoi. After its fall the expedition went to attack Onawe Pah. Tahatiti, who went out of the pah to attack the enemy, was shot. Some of the Kaiapoi chiefs went into the pah to divert the attention of the defenders, while still tangi ing with their friend, the enemy following in the rear. While seizing and making prisoners, those at the upper part of the pah opened out their fire with only eight muskets, and killed several of the enemy before they were captured. Te Rauparaha himself had a narrow escape from being shot, Tara having pushed the gun aimed at him by Te Puaka on one side. Tahatiti was the only one of the defenders killed. The expedition is known by the name Te Maha page break

Monument To Tangata Hara At Little River.

page 364Taupoki At the end of all these expeditions, the offensive was taken by the Ngaitahu in 1832. The expedition of Ngaitahu reached Wairau and took up a position on the coast, where four canoes and a boat were seen approaching, which proved to be that of Te Rauparaha. The boat and two of the canoes landed, when Te Matata's dog revealed to them the presence of Ngaitahu, who immediately attacked and defeated the enemy. Had all the canoes landed, the enemy would have been annihilated. The enemy were afterwards again attacked and defeated at Oraumou. Tangata Hara had a command in this expedition. This expedition is known as Tauaiti. Subsequently a second expedition of Ngaitahu went to Wairau, known as by the name of Tauanui, Taogata Hara accompanied this expedition, Ngaitahu. After this, Tuhawaiki's expedition, coming from the south, landed at Piraki, where they were advised by Europeans to return home to the south, but they had already slain Koko. On their return to the south, they attacked and defeated at Tuturau the Puaho's expedition, which had reached Tuturau. Te Puaho was slain, and his followers were taken prisoners. In 1837 peace was proclaimed between Ngaitahu and Te Rauparaha, which ended all strife between them, through the introduction of Christianity and in memory of the undermentioned chiefs:—John Tikao, Hoani Titimarahua, Hoani Papita, Hono Wetero Te Rauparae, Heremaia Mautai, Wi Harahoua Purihirere, Tamati Tikao, Irai Tihau, Henare Wateus Tawha, Wiremu Naerata Ao, Rawiri Te Ito, Hepa Paura, Henare Te Paro, Tamakeke."

Another Account.

As all information obtainable about these early incidents is of great interest, it is not out of place here to insert a contribution to the "Akaroa Mail," of March 16, 1990. There is much interest in the extract, and it is correct, as at the time of the erection of the monument at Little River the story of the feud between the two great tribes was much diseased by both Maoris and Europeans

It will be noted that this version bears out in part the article contributed by G.J.B. on pages 135 139 as to Te Pehi's death being precipitated by his attempt to take away some valuable greenstone, though the scene of his death was Kaiapoi, not Akaroa, and he died by the hand of Tangata Hara, not Te Mai Hara Nui. The following is the extract.—

"The Maori monument, which is to be formally unveiled at Little River on the 22nd inst., is erected to the memory of a fighting chief nimed Tangata Hara, of the Ngaitahu tribe. He was born at one of the villages round the head of the bay, near Onawe, where he married two wives, and had four children—three girls and a boy, all of whom are dead except one daughter, now living at Little River. She is the widow of the well known chief Eli Tihau, who died ten years ago Tangata Hara seems to have made a name for himself at Kaiapoi, where he killed the celebrated chief Te Pehi, an uncle of Te Rauparaha, when that chief attacked the pah in 1827, This Te Pehi was a remarkable man, and to get guns to conquer his enemies with, he boarded a South Sea trader, named the 'Urania,' in Cook Strait in 1824, and told the captain he wanted to go to England to see King George. As he would not leave, and sent his canoe away, the captain gave orders for him to be thrown overboard, Seeing their intentions, he seized hold of two ringbolts, and the sailors could not dislodge him, so the captain took him on. The vessel called at Monte Video, and here the captain fell over board, but Te Pehi jumped in after him and swam with him until picked up by a boat. On reaching England he saw King George, but did not succeed in getting any guns, but was presented with a lot of agricultural implements and seeds, and sent out in a ship to Sydney. Here he exchanged his presents for guns and ammunition, and came to New Zealand in the brig Queen Charlotte, just in time to join Rauparaha in his expedition south, which consisted of 700 men, with a fleet of canoes. Kaikoura was the first place attacked, then the Omihi pah at both of which places large numbers were killed. Going down the coast the page 366canoes were hauled up at the mouth of the Waipara, and a friendly visit was paid to the Kaiapoi Natives, where Te Mai Hara Nui was chief. Barter was carried on for some days, when some of the survivors from Omihi arrived, and gave an account of the terrible slaughter up north. This put the Kaiapoi people on the watch, and a Native of the Bay of Islands, who was living with the Kaiapoi Maoris, named Hakatere, overheard them plotting how the pah was to be taken. The Northern Maoris were to give a big haka at their camp, to which the Kaiapois were invited; then, when the pah was deserted, at a given signal, it was to be rushed, and the guests of the haka were to be slaughtered. On hearing this, the Kaiapoi men were prepared to defend the pah which was one of the strongest in the Island, and consisted of three rows of pallisading ten feet high, with a fighting stage inside all the way round it. However, a few days before the haka was to be held, an incident occurred which precipitated matters. Several chiefs were visiting at the pah, among them Te Pehi, who had taken a very fine piece of greenstone and was dragging it away, when a chief named Moi Moi called out to him to leave it. He stopped, and asked how a low Maori like him dared to question the act of so high a chief as himself. At this moment, one of Rauparaha's chiefs, named Pokaitara, was entering the main gate, when he was killed by a stone axe by Rongotara, whose brother had been captured at Omihi. Te Pehi, seeing what happened, made a rush to get out, when the chief Tangata Hara grappled with him and killed him with a hatchet. The other Northern chiefs were then set upon, led by Te Mai Hara Nui, and eight of them were killed, including Te Pehi, Pokaitara, Rangikatutu, Ruataki, Huapiko, Aratangata, Kohi and Kohua. On hearing of the loss of his chiefs Rauparaha broke up his camp, and made for his canoes, sailing back to Kapiti, Two years passed away before he got his revenge, when in 1830 he came to Akaroa in the brig Elizabeth, and slaughtered most of the Natives of Takapuneke (Red House Bay) and took Te Mai Hara Nui prisoner, About a year after this Rauparaha page 367again came down, and took the Kaiapoi pah by setting fire to it. He then came on to Akaroa and took the pah known as Onawe, where Tangata Hara was chief in command. He was taken prisoner along with many others, including Big William. On their way back to the north they called in at Okoruru (Gough's Bay), where Tangata Hara and some others escaped and made their way back to Akaroa. The Otago Maoris then came up the coast with a large force of fighting men in canoes and whaleboats, and picking up Tangata Hara and other fighting men, followed Rauparaha up to the Wairoa, where they had a great fight, defeating him, when he retreated to the Sounds, where another fight took place, and be again got the worst of it and he crossed the Straits, the South island Maoris returning to their homes. Tuawhaki (known as Bloody Jack) and Taiaroa took part in this war, which was known as the Tawaiti war. Another war was fought later on, known as ' Koko.' The last war was fought in Otago at Mataura, where Toby shot the chief who cams overland from the West Coast, This was the last war fought amongst the Natives, as the white people began to arrive, and the whaling and sealing industries had started. Tangata Hara died about the year 1838, and is buritd at the old Wainui pah, on Mr. C, McDonald's land."

Kemp's Deed.

While writing on the subject of "Maori History of the Peninsula, ' it would not be out of the way to mention the final transaction by which the New Zealand Company bought all the land from the South Island natives. The deed always known as "Kemp's Deed" was signed in 1848 The New Zealand Company paid £2000 for the land, the Maoris stipulating that certain reserves should be set aside for them and their descendants: —

"the deed was signed at Akaroa by forty chiefs. The land included the West Coast and part of Otago, Native page 368settlements with inhabitants in each were shown on the map at Waimakariri (10 inhabitants), Port Cooper (10), Port Levy (260), Akaroa (30), Wainui (30), Piraki (10), Ellesmere Mouth (10), Timaru (70), Waitaki (20). This number, 450. seems very small; but an estimate made by Fenton in 1859 made the number in Canterbury (including Kaiapoi), only 638 Speaking of Banks Peninsula, Kemp says the natives clearly admit to have sold the whole of Banks Peninsula to the French Company. The transactions at Akaroa form, in themselves; materials for a romantic history. The Lieutenant Governor was not at all satisfied with the manner in which Kemp had completed the transaction; and in his report to Governor Grey he deplored the fact that Kemp had departed widely from his instructions. Whilst the deed provided for reserves, no definite areas had been set aside, the deed itself was In wrong form, and legally invalid; he had erroneously recognised native rights over country lying within certain circuits; he had promised that payment should, if possible, be made half yearly instead of yearly, as stipulated. Eyre pointed out that the whole business had been completed in three days, in which time Kemp could not possibly have ascertained the wishes of the natives regarding the tracts they wished reserved, nor could he have visited all settlements interested, and of the seven marked as lying between Akaroa and Otakou, three only had representatives present. Still greater objection was taken to the fact that Kemp had arranged for the payments being made to two chiefs only—Tikao at Akaroa and Taiaroa at Otago. As the validity of the whole transaction appeared to be doubtful, the Lieutenant Governor said he intended to send another officer to define the reserves and have another deed executed, In forwarding the correspondence to Earl Grey, however, Governor Grey remarked: 'It may be sufficient for me to say that although I regret Mr Kemp should have departed from his instructions, I still do not view his proceedings in so unfavourable a light as the Lieutenant-Governor does, and I entertain no doubt that the trans-page 369action has been fairly and properly completed, and that the arrangements since adopted by the Lieutentant Governor will satisfactorily dispose of any questions which might have resulted from any informalities in Mr Kemp's proceedings.'"