TAUPO-NUI-A-TIA

Taupo Times, Volume 11, Issue 78, 15 July 1953, Page 1

TAUPO-NUI-A-TIA

TALES OF THE TAUPO COUNTRY THE VENOEANCE OF TURAHUI [Note: — -This version of a story of South Taupo was recqrded by the late Captain Gilbert Mair, N.Z.C.. in his "Reminiscences," published ' in 192o. It is the second of two tales of which Mr H. D. London, Secretary of the W haka tane and District Historical Society, Inc., kindly drew our attention. The first, The Love Tragedy of Waiarohi, appeaired in our issue of July 1st. — Editor.] About 120 years ago there was living on the upper wat.ers of the Manganuiateao River, under the shadow of Ruapehu Mountain, a turbulent little tribe, a band of Ishmaelites, whose hand was raised against eveiry man and .everyman's hand was raised against them. They were constantly aittacking and marauding the suraeounding tribes, but generally escaped jpunishment owing to the inaceesible wature of their country. Eventually they had the audaeity to murder some •f the memibers of a great and powerful tribe of Taupo, the Ngati-tu wharetoa. This was the last straw. They w,ere promptly attacked by a war party, under the leadership of two prominent warriors, Te Tuiri-o-te-Rangi ("The Trembling Heavens") and Te Rangi-kaheke-i-Waho ("The Wid4e-spreading Firmament"). The offending tribe, which bore the highsounding name of Te Hokowhitu-a-Uenuku ("The Seventy Sons of the Rainbow"), were practically destroyed. Only the wife of the chief, with her new-born son, escaped. She jumped off a bluff into the river, crossed to the western side of the Wanganui, whence she made hetr way to her own tribe near Taranaki. Here she found a home and sympathy, and devoted

her life to the upbringing of her son, whom she named Turahui "The Dedicated One," or "The Appointed One") With his motheUs milk was fostered a spirit of revenge, and he grew up in the helief that his mission was to avenge the wrongs of his tribe. The years passed away, and Turahui, by his proved bravery and wisdom, found himself an acknowledged ehief of several trib.es in the Taranaki Country. By now the time was oppcirtune to carry out his life's mission, and, carefully selecting a warparty, he started forth. His principal warrictr, who commanded his own snbfribe was named Tamakana. The war-party took the trail for the Taupo Country, striking the southern end of Lake Rotoaira. Thetre, at Otukou or Papakai, a neutral chief called out from his pa on the hill for the war-party to partake of food. The hospitable chief s.ent out his slaves, who soon returned with a numiber of baskets of a delicious little fish, the koaro, found in Rotoaira, which was ! invariably put up in small ornamental 1 baskets between layers of the scent- ! ed olearia leaves. The heap of food was presentecl to Turahui, who broke the usual feast etiquette of the Maori. Instead of keeping the smallest portion for himself, he retained the whole lot fcir his own tribe, giving none to his fighting man, Tamakana. When he carne to the last empty kit, he turned it upside down, scattering the leaves, and exclaiming, "Titiro mai, ko te rau kau, ko te rau kau" (Behold, nothing but leayes, nothing' but leaves"). The indignant Tamakana made no reply, but he remembered those words. Resuming the mairch and moving* o&utiously by night the war-party carne to the Tongariro River, at that time the principal home of the Ngati-

tuwharetoa, who occupied both banks. ; On a little island in the river lived ! the two chiefs, Te Tuiri-o-te-Rangi jand Te Rangi-kaheke-i-Waho. Turahui selected six of his most trusted followers, after hiding his main body in the scrub, and toward dawn swani out to the island. The two chiefs, now old men, were suddenly throttled and dragged out and their jh.eads held under water until they | were dead, Turahui then started on jhis return march. I | T I | In the morning when the slaves | I went out in a canoe, taking food to | the old chiefs, they wer.e missing. A i | cry was /raised when footprints of the] war-party were discovered, and a hot , chase was set up. By this time Tura- , hui, bearing the bodi.es of the chiefs, ! had gained ten to twelve miles start. ! When the scene of the previous day's feast was reached, the kindly chief! called out, Turahui e ! He aha nga ' ika o roto o te kupenga a Tumatauenga?" ("O Turahui! What fish have you caught in the War God's ! net?"). Turahui replied, "The | Trembling H.eavens, and The Widespr,eading Firmament, whom I sought out and brought away from within the shining belly of the gods, to be sustenance for me, who am their equal!" Declining hospitality, the marauders i resum.ed their flight and by nightfall reached the headwaters of the Wanganui River at Te Porere. W eary, and feeling temporarily safe from pursuit, 1 uranui halted fcrr the night. But his rest was uneasy and toAvard the rising of Kopu (the morning st-ar, Venus), on placing his ear to the ground, he could hear the tramp of many leet and knew the position was sutrrounded. Rousing his sle,eping followei s, he shouted "Tamakana ,a>rise, aiise! Here come the shining ones, 1'

here come the terrible ones! Turn ! thou and fight for the honour of thy I tribe! ' But Tamakana, remembering j the fish incident, replied, "Turn thou ,and fight bravely, 0 eater of fish! As for m.e, the eater of leaves, I bid hee farewell!" And he fled and escaped with his whole force. Tuiahui and his small war pavty performed heroic deeds of valour, but they w,ere outnumbered five to one. and at last Turahui was left standinealone, surrounded by his dead warriors". He was challengea to mortal combat by a famous chief, Te Heuheu Mananui, a giant seven feet in height. Turahui was a skilled warrior, and the two fought with varied suceess until Tamamutu, Te Heuheus nephew, speared Turahui from behind, and ^ fell. The Lraggart Tamamutu cried, "BeliOid the strength of my oue arm!" But Te Heuheu replied, "Nay, rather our two arms!" On hearing* this, the dying Turahui called out, "Boastei s both! It took your f our arnis to slay Turahui!" So it was that Tamakana, having other fish to fry, ran away and lived to fight anothea- day. As for Turahui and the tribe of Te Hokowhitu-a-Uenuku, of them there reniained "nothing but leav.es, nothing but leaves."