PEACE OFFERING TO HONGI

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 85, 1 July 1927, Page 13

PEACE OFFERING TO HONGI

rE UIRA, or “The Lightning Flash,” as the mere was known to its ancient Maori owners, has oeen deposited in the Auckland Museum for safe-keeping by Mr. George Graham.

For the past forty years the historic weapon has reposed in an Auckland urupa, or graveyard. Recently, on the occasion of the death of one of Mr. Graham’s daughters, it was handed to him as a “Roimata.”

Roimata signifies “tears, or a token of mourning.” The handing over of the mere was in accordance, therefore, with an old Maori custom.

TE U I RA'S LUSTRE The fingers that caressed Te Uira or whirled him on high in battle have long since been dust. The beautiful weapon, which has been so carefully treasured by its native owners and handed down through the years, still, however, preserves its wonderful lustre and polish. The ancient artists who wrought Te Uira from his native greenstone assuredly knew their craft. Te Uira, an heirloom of the Marutuahu tribes of the Hauraki, originally came from Taranaki. It first came into prominence by being placed among the peace ’offerings of the Hauraki people to the redoubtable Hongi Ika at the Totara pa about 1821. In later years the mere appeared at the historic Kohimarama conference of 1856, where it was restored by the Ngapuhi to the natives of the Hauraki. Ngakupa Whaunaunga, the custodian of Te Uira, carried it during th,e Waikato wars. The mere was in his hand during the defence of Rangiriri. When Ngakupa saw that the pa would be captured by the English troops, he buried it in the parapets. Subsequently, however, the chieftain recovered it. FOR SAFE-KEEPING From Ngakupa the mere passed into the possession of various owners. Ultimately, some 40 years ago, it was deposited in the native cemetery, from whence it emerged to go into the safekeeping of the museum. “The Lightning Flash,” through the instrumentality of Mr. Graham, who has been a consistent supporter of the museum, will now be safely preserved until such time as its present-day owners require the mere. Rich already in Maori treasure trove, the Auckland Museum welcomes Te Uira. —E.R.