MAORI NAMES.

Putaruru Press, Volume VII, Issue 307, 26 September 1929, Page 5

MAORI NAMES.

ORIGIN OF MATAMATA. Story of Early Days. Interesting reference to the early days was made by Mr. J. Douglas, of Okauia, to a Record representative when chatting over the late Captain Tizard’s career. Mr. Douglas’ father was with Captain Tizard at the battle of Gate Pah, which they saw from a distance, while the munitions were being carted up. In this engagement the Maoris inflicted severe losses on the white troops through having built a dummy pah, with stockade complete. While the troops attacked this “ stronghold ” they were enfiladed from the real Maori fortifications with devastating effect.

Mr. Douglas stated that about the year 1868 Captain Tizard was engaged with a survey party which cut the “ confiscated ” line between Matamata and Tauranga, along the continuation of the Coromandel range. Later, he worked right through to Taupo with survey parties, at which place he resided for some time and married his second wife. For a period, about this time, the Captain lived at Motupuke, near Oruanui, and on his wife’s' death returned to the Springs. Amongst the Maoris Captain Tizard was known as Teriroriro, being called after the boat he ran up and down the river. In the early days Captain Tizard, owing to his knowledge of Maori customs and lore, sat on many commissions which were appointed before the days of judges to handle purchases or sales of land.

Asked his opinion on the meaning of Maori place-names in the district, Mr. Douglas stated that it was very difficult to say without knowing the exact history of the time.

Referring to the meaning of Matamata, which is often interpreted as referring to the “ end of the swamp,” Mr. Douglas held it really referred to the end of certain tribal lands. Matamata meant “ raw,” “ blade,” or “ end of anything.” Substantiating his views, Mr. Douglas stated that in early days Okauia was held by the Nga Marama tribe and a warrior named Koperu, of the Ngati Raukawa tribe, which extended from near Matamata to Otaki, came over from Maungatautari, having heard there were good lands in this direction. He conquered the Nga Marama tribe and took possession of Okauiq on behalf of the Ngati Raukawa tribe. Another chief, a brave fighter, but also a diplomat, heard of the occurrence while near where Te Aroha now stands, and came over to Okauia to arrange a peaceful settlement with Koperu. This was peacably arranged on the spot, but on leaving the Te Aroha chief was secretly followed by Koperu. Shortly afterwards, on being aware he was being tracked, he faced Koperu, who then told him with warlike emphasis that his boundary now came to the spot they had reached. The diplomat fled in terror and Koperu thus fixed his boundary at Brady’s. It was this adjustment of tribal territory between the Nga Marama tribe, which came from Tauranga, and the Ngati Raukawa tribe, which extended as far south as Otaki, which Mr. Douglas claims gave rise to the name of Matamata —the end of tribal land. Othei meanings to place names were given by Mr. Douglas as follows: ‘ Hinuera —burning fat. Probably where the fat of prisoners or birds burned or sizzled. Putaruru —If pronounced Putarooroo, without accent on any particular syllable, means the owl’s nest; Puta hole; ruru—owl. If pronounced as usually done it means “ a lot of people travelling fast.” Tirau—Ti means tree, and rau, leaf of cabbage tree. Tirau also means a dam, such as for catching eels or whitebait. Turanga-o-moana —The pond, or the place where Moana stood.