THE BATTLE AT KAITANGATA.

Franklin Times, Volume 9, Issue 681, 4 November 1921, Page 5

THE BATTLE AT KAITANGATA.

During the first three decades of last century, subsequently to; j the advent of Europeans, there occurred many fierce fights between the various tribes of Maoris. As one tribe or another managed to procure firearms they set ou> on conquering raids on their less fortunate brethren. We have on record the famous raids of Hongi, the great Ngapuhi chief, but many other battles took place which have hardly been heard of, and are known 'to-day only to the Maoris themselves, and to a few Europeans who have taken the trouble to gather reliable information on the inter--tribal wars which practically ceased as soon as responsible Government was established.

One such battle took place on the Lower Waikato about the year 1838. Any one travelling down the river between Tuakau and Port Waikato will notice .two bluffs about three-quarters of a mile*apart, on the western side. The upper one is well-known as Kaitangata. and the lower one as Tiki Rahi. The earthworks of the pas are quite visible yet, and 1 they were evidently great strongholds. The Ngatipou tribe held Kaitangata and , the Ngatitipa manned Tiki Rahi, with selected braves, but did not reside permanently there, as jtheir homes were a mile or so inland. Between the two pas on the river there was a swampland half way between the two there was the head of ,a huge totara tree (to be seen to-day) which had evidently drifted there in a high flood. This was known as Te Wai Waea. and was recoginsed as the boundary mark on the river between the lands of these two tribes. From there a line ran direct over the top of Puke-o-tahinga down to the Opuatia creek, and the land to the west of that line was the Ngatfttipa’s hunting ground, and the eastern side was the Ngatipou’s. The quarrel took place over the boundary, and trouble followed quickly, one ot two small skirmishes taking place between raiding parties. The Ngatipous manned Kaitangata Pa with from 600 to 800 men. besides which many women were there. The Ngatitipas did rot put all their forces in The Tiki i Rahi Pa. but 160 picked men _ were V placed there to prevent a raid on their homes. They were led by Kukutai, a name well known yet in the district. Early one morning they decided -to- attack Kaitangata from the land side, and accordingly set off to skirt round the swamp and attack it in the rear. Their intention was anticipated, however, for as they were advancing through the scrub they were met with a withering fire and some fell. The advance was stopped and after consultation resumed,, to the same again, yet no enemy was sighted. It was noticed that the chiefs were being selected out for targets, as seven of them wtere killed one after another. However, (this time the smoke from the old; muskets had divulged the hiding p’cce of many of the enemy, which had been well chosen. Part of them were on the p-round firing awav. but, in selpptpd places : up in ‘the tops of the k-riiikatea trees quite a number were secreted, and it was their fire, masked bv those on the ground beneath, which had done the execution. The Ngatiifpas" were brave _ men, however, and as soon as The discovery was made the sbacp-shoooters up in the trees were shot clown iust like pigeons, according to the Maori version. As soon as the Ngatipous saw their ruse was discovered they retreated to the, pa. with the enemy at their heels, and a great battle took place, in which the Ngatipous were routed with great loss. Several hundred were killed, and the hones are visible to 'this day, as well as other relics of the fight, such as bullets and various kinds of weapons. Asa result of the fight, the Ngatitipas took possession of the pa. and the surrounding country and £he boundnrv line was moved east hv about a mile, where it remains to day. The Ngatitipas remained permanently in possession. and not many years later the ground thus taken by conauest was. wirh some more, about 700 acres in all. handed over as a gift to the Church of Engird, and a Mission Pterion and school was established there bv Dr Maunsell. When the war between the Europeans and the Maoris took piece soma, years later, the Ngatipou tribe embraced haukauism. and retreated to the King Country t.n take up arms against the forces of the 'Queen, and all their remaining land was confiscated. Subsequently, in about 1872, a portion was handed back to them, and a part of the tribe came back and resided Oll The Ngatitipas remained loyal, and all through the war the influence of their tribe was felt in the Lower Waikato, and the land they took by conauest was recognised as theirs by rmht. To-day, thanks :to the benign influence of the European, the members of these various tribes; talk of these old battles without bitterness. T '