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The Ancient History of the Maori, His Mythology and Traditions. Nga-Puhi [Vol. XI]

Chapter XII

page (12)

Chapter XII

He is dragging his canoe Rau-ha-moa
And looking for the southerly blast to blow
He is waiting for ocean white crested sea
To rise and cool and boom upon the coast
His skin its roughness shows in dread
Of warriors shout in ………. ……….
But he will not rise, he lifts
Himself to skip away in flight
And whisks by his hand the wind
That gives a sound as though of spirits made
While shoulders each in front then arms do those
And nose nipped in indicative of rogue
Who flees far out of harm
And leaves me in my helplessness

page (158)

Battle of Taumata-Wiwi, and Nga-ti-whatua
(Nga-ti-maru)

The cause of that battle was about the murder of Te Whakaete, an ancestor of Te Wheoro's. There were other quarrels, before that about Teho but there was no fighting. The army that was going to Taitai were composed of Waikato's, Nga-ti-paoa and Nga-ti-maru under Taipara. Their army came to our Pa at Horo-whenua. We received them according to Maori fashion. We had two divisions. The Tawera on one side, we on the other, a road between. A man of Wai-kato took hold of a gun belonging to Te-whakarau, it went off accidentally and then the Wai-kato shot one of the Tawera named Te-keti-korahi. Hope of the Tawera was also shot. The Wai-kato's fired both of these guns. Te-hoterini fired. Killed Kereru of Wai-kato. Te-tawera fired and killed Te-whakaete. A fight took place and the Wai-kato were beaten and 100 of them killed.

Waikato's were killed at this fight.

page (159)

After the peace Te Waharoa's word came to Te Hou and Takurua. (The peace was proposed by Te Waharoa, Wherowhero and others.) Te-waharoa's word was "O Takurua and Hou, let us return to our place at Maunga-kawa, where there is plenty of korau (cabbage)." Hou and Takurua went to Maunga-kawa as peace had been made. While they were there Haora Tipa and party went to fight the Nga-ti-kahungungu, leaving Takurua. Takurua was murdered by Nga-ti-haua. Two hundred of our party were murdered along with Takurua, men, women and children.

Te Karauna was one who escaped. After this we were at war with Nga-ti-haua and Tiki and others of Nga-ti-haua were killed at Matamata. None of our party were killed in that affair. The next fight was at Ka-wehi-tiki. We attacked it and Te-kura-tamaki and others were killed of Nga-ti-haua. The Nga-ti-maru lost none. About 10 of Nga-ti-haua were killed with Horoika. H Tipa killed him. The next fight was at Tauhei, Nga-ti-maru went there. It was near Hanga-wera. The men of Tauhei were killed by us. 20 of them. Te Whare-koata and Te-kerangi were the chiefs. None of our party were killed. After this the Waikato's attacked us in our Pa at Horo-whenua. The Wai-kato's were killed. The name of that battle was Pu-toetoe. The Nga-ti-haua fired on us at Puke-kura. We pursued them killing them on the way as far as Pu-toetoe. 40 Wai-kato's were killed page (160)in this affair. Koi-pehi and a slave alone of our party were killed. Manga-wara was the next fight. Two chiefs of Nga-ti-haua were killed there. Hu-akeakea and Keka. We lost nine. After this it rained and the Nga-ti-maru went to catch eels.

The Nga-ti-haua attacked the people who were in charge of the fishing. The Manutu was the name of the battle. Manga-wara and Huka-nui was where this took place. We lost 14. The Nga-ti-haua lost 6. These were all the fights between Whakaete and Taumatawiwi. I was in the Pa at Taumatawiwi. The Nga-ti-maru Pa's at that time were 11 in all. Our fighting Pa was at Hao-whenua. Our other Pa's were at Otokou and Te-Uarehu. Nga-ti-tokoi belonged to Nga-ti-tama-te-ra. Another Pa was Te Hiwihiwi, Rupe's Pa of Nga-ti-paoa. These Pa's were at Maunga-tautari. Te Kopai was another, and Nga-ti-whatua Pa, near Tama-here. Whareroa was another Pa at Horotiu (near Cambridge), a Nga-ti-paoa Pa, it is sometimes called Horotiu. Ohau was another Pa of ours. It was on the south side of Whareroa. Te Manga-piharau was another Pa on the north side of Whare-roa. It belonged to Nga-ti-tama-te-ra. Kaeaea was another on the north side of Manga-piharau. It belonged to Nga-ti-maru. Te Rewarewa was another near Tama-here. It belonged to Te Taniwha of Nga-ti-whanaunga. It was east of Tama-here, and north west of Whare-roa. There were four Pa's which were deserted at Mangakawa. The four Pa's were deserted in consequence of Takurua's death. The other Pa's I have named were deserted after the death of Takurua, when we all went to Horo-whenua. When we were in our Pa at Horo-whenua page (161)an army of Waikato's, Nga-i-te-rangi and Nga-ti-haua came to Taumata-wiwi. We went to meet them. We numbered about 1,600. We were joined by Nga-ti-whatua, Te Tawera and Patuwai. Te Tawera were a people who had been beaten by Nga-ti-tama-te-ra and taken by Nga-ti-maru to add to their strength. These made in all about 2,300. I don't know how many the Wai-kato's numbered. There was a fight. It lasted from sunrise until afternoon. Then our powder was exhausted and we went back to the Pa at Horo-whenua. When we retreated to the Pa, the Wai-kato's followed. When we came to the Pa Rakaha turned and shot Tiha one of the enemy, and took the body into the Pa. We got into the Pa with the body. This we considered a good omen. We could fight another day. We cut up and eat the body. The Nga-ti-maru fled. They fled because one of them had been taken into the Pa. We followed them as far as Te Rua-pekapeka and then let them go on. We came back to our Pa. I said we ceased to fight because we ran out of powder. When we got to our Pa we obtained a supply. The fight ceased. Next day Rangi-wawahia, Tirakihetanga and Wawa, went from Nga-ti-maru to the Wai-kato's. They went to lament over the slain, some of whom were our relations. These three were women. After the tangi Te-waha-roa said to these women "When you get back to the Pa let Taha-rokei come to make peace." The women came back to the Pa and related what Te-waha-roa had said. Irai-Taha-roku and the Tupua and Potiki and the three women went to Te-waha-roa. Speeches were made page (162)and peace was made. The 10 guns were given by Te-waha-roa. Haora-Tipa went from our Pa to get the guns. He went there and took some of the guns and brought them to the Pa. After Nga-ti-haua had burnt their dead they went back to Ka-wehi-tiki their Pa. The Wai-kato's had returned to Wai-kato. Wai-kato returned the fourth day after the Taumatawiwi battle. The Nga-ti-haua lost 137 at Taumatawiwi. The Hauraki tribes lost 14. After the 10 guns were given and brought to our Pa we remained at Horo-whenua dubbing canoes. We had commenced them before Taumata-wiwi. We worked at them in the bush. There were 20 canoes. The chiefs of Marutuaha had contemplated returning to Hau-raki - hence the canoes were made. We were three and a half months preparing the canoes. Some of the Maru-tuahu and Piako and Te Hira came from Hau-raki with 100 people to fetch us after we had finished the canoes. Te Hira and party came to Horo-whenua. We launched our canoes into the Wai-kato. Nga-ti-tama-te-ra separated and came by way of Wai-hou. Some of the Nga-ti-maru went by way of Pi-ako. The Nga-ti-paoa and Nga-ti-whatua and part of Nga-ti-maru went by the canoes down the Wai-kato. Nga-ti-whatua separated at Nga-rua-wahia, and went to Wai-pa. The rest came down the Wai-kato, dragged the canoes over the portages at Wai-uku and came back to Hau-raki. When we came back to Hauraki the europeans had come to settle there.

Peri was the name of the pakeha. We began to scrape flax to buy guns and powder. We bought guns and powder. At this time the Nga-puhi came with a party of Nga-ti-tama-te-ra page (163)and Toka-nui, who had been residing at Hokianga.

The Hau-raki tribes were living at Shortland, Ohinemuri, Mercury Bay, and Wharekawa. The Nga-ti-tama-te-ra Pa was Te Kari. Nga-ti-maru's was at Turua - Nga-ti-whanaunga's was at Kopu. Te Horeta, Taipari and others were at the Kawae-ranga Pa. The rest of Nga-ti-paoa had a Pa at Whakatiwai. After Nga-puhi came the Hau-raki tribes held a meeting and arranged to fight the Nga-ti-haua. The Nga-ti-paoa went by Pi-ako, 600 went that way. One part of the army went by way of Pi-ako, attacked the Nga-ti-haua Pa at Ka-wehi-tiki and killed Kumete and others. The party by Wai-hou went to the Matamata Pa. There we joined the other division. A fight ensued and Te Maru-iri-ho of Nga-ti-haua was killed. One of our party was also killed. The Nga-ti-haua were in a Pa. We did not take the Pa. Afterwards another fight took place at Matamata and Te-whare-kohe was killed. We lost Mahanga and Kainga-hou. The latter was taken into the Pa by Nga-ti-haua. We returned to Matamata without taking the Matamata Pa and afterwards retired. They fled by Matamata to O-tau-hao. They fled in consequence of the fright they had received. After this two persons came from O-tau-hao to Hau-raki as messenger from Te-waha-roa to Hou. The message was "Let my grandchild remain with Hou." Hou said, "Say to Waha-roa don't take the fighting to a distance, bring it nearer." Te-waha-roa said that the Nga-ti-haua should come back. They came back and settled at Maunga-tautari. This was the first time page (164)they had settled there. The Nga-ti-koroki remained at Maunga-tautari. Te-waha-roa came to Matamata. The Nga-ti-haua lived in peace at Matamata. Some of the Hau-raki people - Taua-rua and others went to Matamata to reside with Nga-ti-haua and Nga-ti-tumutumu of Maru-tuahu and went on to Te Aroha. Those of Nga-ti-tumutumu who went to Te Aroha were Te Hewa, Turanga, Mauwhare, Paia-kauere, Wi-pane, Wi-te-paoro, Pu-hirohiro and others. Tauwaru left Matamata and went to reside at Te Aroha, at Te-toro, Ruakaka, and a little south of the settlement at Te-toro where (is the centre of the block before this Court) they made clearings and cultivated the land. After the Nga-ti-tumutumu had settled on the Aroha Te-waha-roa asked for the flax on Te Aroha. He sent Te-wharau to speak to Hou about it. The south part of Wai-harakeke belonged to Nga-ti-hine-rangi and the north part to the Hau-raki tribes. Te Hou sent word that Te-waha-roa should have permission to work the flax on Wai-harakeke. I heard Te Wharau tell Hou. Nga-ti-haua and Te-waha-roa went to scrape flax. At this time Taraia-nga-kuti was at Kapiti (Cook's Straits). He came back after the missionaries had come to Te-puriri. Paora Te Putu went to Aua-o-te-atua to get canoes to fetch Taraia. They went from Hau-raki and found Taraia at Rotorua and fetched him to Hau-raki. When Taraia returned he heard that Hou had given Te-waha-roa permission to dress flax at Wai-harakeke. I heard of Te-hunga's death. He went on a visit to Roto-rua and was killed there by the Arawa. He was a relation of Te-waha-roa. Te-waha-roa page (165)sent a message by Te-wharau to Hou for permission to catch eels in the Pirau-nui swamp, near Te-aroha, for the army who were going to avenge the death of Te-hunga. Te Hou gave permission. When Taraia heard that Te Hou had given permission to Waharoa to dress flax at Wai-harakeke he was angry and raised an army. He made an attack on Te-waha-roa's party and killed Hine-tautoko and Whakawhena both women. They took Pirenga another woman captive. After this Taraia came back to Hau-raki. Te-waha-roa at this time was at O-mo-koroa at Tauranga. After this another army went up Wai-hou under Taraia to near Wai-harakeke. No-one was killed at this time. They saw no-one. No-one would live at Te-aroha for dread of Taraia. I did not accompany the "taua". I remember an expedition to Te-huira near Cambridge under Taraia and Tai-pari against Nga-ti-haua. I went with the "taua". We were 400 strong. We made an attack at Horotiu and killed Te Manu and others. Rapana-maunga-noa killed Te Manu. Te-mu-karaka was killed by Waka-te-puhi. Hau-kui-ta was killed by Wi-te-whare-iro. In all 10 of Nga-ti-haua were killed. We lost nine. This was the last fight with Nga-ti-haua. They did not come to get payment. Te-waha-roa was living at this time.

page (166)

Takurua was killed at Kai-paka, Maunga-kawa by Nga-ti-haua under Waha-roa and others. Te Iro-nui killed him. The killing of Takurua was before the building of the Pa at Matamata.

The Nga-ti-haua laid their dead out in a line, and it was so long that the place was called Te-Kapa-roa. The name was afterwards given to Tai-porutu-te-wetini.

page (167)

Why, after you had got powder, did you not go back?

We went to Kawehitiki and killed Kumete and others.

Taumata-wiwi Battle
(Nga-ti-paoa)

I am not quite clear about the fights that took place before Taumata-wiwi. I was at Mauinaina. The Hau-raki were beaten at Mauinaina and Nga-puhi took all the land. After Mauinaina came the attack and taking of Totara. After the Totara came the fall of Matakitaki, Nga-ti-maru Pa. All those were gained by Nga-puhi. Afterwards came Roto-rua - after that Tauranga. After that Te Ika-ranga-nui. After the fall of Mauinaina, Nga-ti-paoa's Pa, we went into the Wai-kato. During this time we lived at peace among ourselves - our only dread was of Nga-puhi. Peace was made at Matakitaki between Tamati Tangi-te-ruru and Hongi-Hika. The fight I was at was Mauinaina. I remember Taumata-wiwi. The battle began in the morning before either party had eaten, and lasted until afternoon. Then we retired. We retired to our Pa. Those of us who got to page (168)the Pa first got a supply of powder. The Wai-kato and their allies were following us up. We retired because we ran out of powder. I was behind when we retired. When we got to our Pa we obtained powder.

Peacemaking at Taumata-wiwi
(Nga-ti-haua)

The next day the three women went. They were Rangi-wawahia of Ngaiterangi - Wawa and Tira-ki-te-rangi, my wife. They went from Horo-whenua to Taumata-wiwi or Te Tihi o te Hingaarangi. The battle field was Taumata-wiwi. The camp was at Te-tihi. The three women had seen the heads which we had brought with us. They went to weep over the slain and to discover how many had been killed. They were related to the enemy. They were not sent by the chiefs of the Pa. They went of their own accord. Their own grief moved them to go. These women could go without being interfered with according to Maori law. I the husband would allow my wife to go to see the slain. I do not know whether the enemy would consider the coming of the three women as an overture of peace. If the women had been strangers they might have thought so, instead of which they were related to the Wai-kato's and came to view their own dead. I did not tell my wife to go, but I saw her go. She went of her own desire. They went to Te-tihi. The dead page (169)were placed in a line, hence the name Te-kapa-roa and that name was given to Te-wetini-tai-po-rutu in commemoration of the event. All the three women are dead. After the women had cried over the bodies, Te-waha-roa said to them "Go to Taha-roku and let him come to make peace." Taha-roku was selected because he was Takurua's younger brother. Takurua with 200 of the Nga-ti-paoa were massacred afterwards at Maunga-kawa at Ka-wehi-tiki. I call it a "kohura" (murder) because we, the Nga-ti-haua, and they were living on friendly terms at the time. We had been living together for 4 years when it took place. The attack was made in the night. We were slaughtered. I was with Nga-ti-kahu-ngungu at the time. This affair took place before Taumata-wiwi - it was that that brought about the battle of Taumata-wiwi. Taha-roku went with the women. Ten went in all. The men who went were Taha-roku, Te-tupua and Potiki. They arrived, speeches were made and after the speeches ten guns were given to Taha-roku and the others brought them to the Pa. Ten went and ten guns were given. Te-waha-roa placed the guns down before our ten people. Two were given by Te-wetoweto. The guns were given on account of the murder of Takurua. One of the party came to our Pa with a message from Taha-roku to us to come and meet them to receive the guns. We went to meet them. I was one. We met them at Hau-one. We came back to Hao-whenua with the peacemakers. Hau-one was between our Pa and the fighting ground. We got nothing besides the guns. We fought at Taumata-wiwi in December. We came back to the Thames when the kahikatea (podocarpus dacrydioides) page (170)were in fruit. During this period we were making canoes. Some of the canoes had been begun before the battle of Taumata-wiwi. They were canoes with side planks and carved. We were fetched from Hao-whenua by Tiaho, Te-kupenga and others - 140 in all. They came up with guns and powder, supposing that the fight would be continued. The 140 men were all from Hau-raki, not of my tribe alone. At this time their party arrived the Nga-ti-haua were at Ka-wehi-tiki, the Wai-kato were at Wai-kato and the Nga-i-te-rangi were at Tauranga. The Hau-raki returned to Hau-raki by different ways. One party came by Hinuera. My party came by Horo-tiu and Tama-here. One party came by Marama-rua and Pu-korokoro, one by way of Awa-roa and Wai-uku.

The trees from which the canoes were made grew on Maunga-tautari. No-one gave me permission. The land they were cut from belonged to Nga-ti-raukawa. After we got back to Hau-raki we went back again into the country of Nga-ti-haua to fight. The Nga-puhi under Patu-one and Te-waka and others joined us. We went two ways. One party went by Wai-hou, one by way of Pi-ako. The parties joined at Matamata. There was very little fighting outside the Pa at Matamata. They made an occasional sortie and this continued until Te-ma-mutu was killed. Ma-mutu was a Nga-ti-haua. We besieged the Pa. We besieged the Pa a long time. We could not take it because there were so many guns in it. It was like O-haea-wai when as the soldiers rushed up large numbers of them were slain. I wanted the fight to be like Taumata-wiwi, outside. I did not wish to waste the lives of our men in assaulting the Pa. We were living a short distance page (171)distanced from the Pa. There was a plain between us which was left as fighting ground. We lived in wharau houses (sheds) which we had built, such as "taua's" build. After a time we came back to Hau-raki. We had a Pa and we killed Te Ma-mutu and another. One was killed at Ka-wehi-tiki. This was a slave of Nga-ti-tama-te-ra - killed on our side. Nga-puhi lost one. We destroyed all the Nga-ti-haua cultivations. We were living on their plantations. We came back to Hau-raki. We came back by way of Mana-wara. We were not pursued. There was no formal peacemaking. The Nga-ti-haua remained there, at Matamata. 200 of Nga-puhi were with us in this affair. I heard about going to Otawhao. After Nga-puhi and we got back 86 from the taua we waited to see if the Nga-ti-haua would attack us, but no attack was made. No army came to Hau-raki. Up to the end no army came to Hauraki, except one which came to attack my side of the country. By my side I mean Hau-raki.