Inter-tribal Fights

For years, a feud was kept up between the Ngati-Porou and Poverty Bay tribes. Each side brought with it its own fighters and the usual place of meeting was a paddock at Matawhero, near the Royal Oak Hotel and the usual day was Sunday. No rounds were

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stipulated and only bare fists were permitted. It was a fight to a finish.

The contest was kept up for some years, until an old man stepped into the ring and stopped the inter-tribal fights.

Today, the Ngati-Porou tribe are considered the most progressive and advanced of all the tribes. (Note: The history of the tribe has yet to be written, although, in The Story of a Maori Chief, much may be learned of the Ngati Porou.)

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