KAIAPOHIA

Hokitika Guardian, 31 October 1931, Page 8

KAIAPOHIA

TE RAUPARAHA’S VICTORY. Just one hundred years ago saw the destruction of the last large pa. in the South Island, and they are keeping the event in Kaiapoi to-day. Kaiapoi (really Kaiapohia), famed now for woollen goods, was at that time noted lor its abunant food supplies, and, as Te Rair paraha believed, unlimited quantities of pounamu (greenstone)*,Moreover, h •lasting insult had been, hurled at Te Rauparaha when Iterewhaak haci threatened to “rip his stomach open with a. barracoota tooth” (niho manga). This latter curse led Te Rauparaha to seek an opportunity for revenge and plunder. On his first visit to Kaiapohia pa the inhabitants, under the leadership of Tamailmranui, fearing attack, forestalled the plans of the visitors by destroying eight chiefs of the northern party. The attack was successful), and Te Rauparahai, conscious that lie had now (ittle chance of victory, withdrew his men to Kapiti, vowing revenge for the deaths of his couragous and able commanders.

Later a. raid was made on Akai'oa, when, aided by Stewart in return for h cargo of flax, he seized Tamaiharanui. This warrior was taken captive to Kapiti and there slain by Te Pehi’s ivife, a just payment in Maori eyes, for n was simply “utu”, payment for a crime committed. By 1831 Rauparaha, whose insatiable desire for revenge was unquenched, gathered his fleet ni war canoes and some six hundred warriors. Creeping down the coast of the South Island, he reached Double Corner, where he landed. But the pa was prepared. All the forces of the tolmnga had been tested by those within to ascertain the result of the raid. The ceremony of “Toro,” or divination, had been stopped as soon as it seemed that the fates favoured the pa. Meanwhile Te Rauparaha advanced on the fort, hoping to take it by the very celerity of his attack. Unfortunately for him, the gods decreed otherwise. The noise of a gun coupled with , the cries from the outer, breastwork warned the defenders of the impending attack. But only the old people, women and children were within. The young men and warriors wer e away on a mat_ ter of courtesy, while others were scattered over the distant plantations. To raise the seige, they returned in a body. Crossing the lagoon, the party reached the gate of the pa, to receive a. warm welcome. For three months the northern people . sat down before the gates Kaitangata and Hiakarere, hut still there were no signs of submission. In the meantime, a sortie had rendered the fleet as unserviceable as light axes would permit.

Deciding to abandon his tactics. Te Rauparaha now made a sap to the outer walls. When this was complete, piles of manuka were laid about the walls and in the sap heads. One day, as the vrind veered round 3 to the sou’west, the brush was fired. In a moment the flames, flaring and waving in the wind, licked round the pa. The fire and smoke accomplished what Rauparaha had failed to do. Slaughter followed on the heels of the fire. When all were either killed or securely bound the conquerors returned to (Massacre Hill, on the North Road, where the last rites to those of rank who had fallen were performed on the persons of the captives. It is estimated that the population of the pa was not far short of a thousand. Of these a part made good their escape, a part perished, but a considerable number were carried off to Kapiti by the conquerors. The pa was almost totally destroyed. Thus did Te Rauparaha avenge the deaths of his captains—(Matawai, in the “Auckland Star”.)