REWI MANIAPOTO THE GREAT

Taupo Times, Volume II, Issue 94, 6 November 1953, Page 5

REWI MANIAPOTO THE GREAT

(By

"Awa Huri")

I 9 It was reported recently that influential Maoris residing in the Waikato have suggested that when Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth proceeds south by motor transit on her journey to the Waitomo Caves, a brief halt should be made at Kihikihi to pay honour to the great Maori War leader, Rewi Maniapoto, whose tomb adjoins the main south road. As an alternative, a short stop approximately one mile further south at the bridge. This bridge which spans the Punui River, marks the demarcation line of the "Old Frontier," and the entrance to the once historical King / Country, to be gaily decorated. The road bearing to the lef t past Rewi's monument can accurately be described as the "via sacra," for it follows the old war trail to the famous field of Orakau, the scene | of the greatest battle in the Maori Wars, and of three days duration. The outstanding courage and heroism displayed by natives under Rewi on that occasion produced the highest praise and admiration from their European adversaries. The natives were not def eated in the engagement, but many perished from wounds, and the very few survivors, including Rewi, succeeded in escaping in the fastness of the King Country across the Punui River some three miles distant. Fighting Chief Turns Ambassador \ I For Peace. After a period, this fighting chief became a true ambassador, working hard for permament peace between the twq races. He was fair and just, never indulging in recriminations, for, realising the Waikato war party, as a force had gone forever, in his zeal to serve his own race he never resorted to fanning a war psychosis or endeavoured to sow discord and hatred of the Pakeha amongst his own people. He was a true conciliator and patriot as numerous old settlers and miliary men testified, and was primary instrumental, after protracted negotiations, in permission eventually being granted to the Government surveyors to condnct an experimental survey for a railway through the native occupied territory. ' Then came the grand climax in 1881 when the first sod was turned just. south of the Punui River, which eventually culminated in what is now familiarly known as the Main Trunk line. An early photo of the occasion depicts Rewi, not in traditional Maori dress, but resplendant in frock coat and tall silk hat with shovels in hand stand ing alongside the then Prime Min- ! ister, Robert Stout (later Sir Robert). After the turning of the sod, Rewi uttered the prophetic words: "Ko to he ra, ka ura te ra," (A sun sets, a sun rises) !

So appreciative was the then Government of Rewi's sincere endeavours to promote permafiemt peace between the two races, that a modern home was specially erected at Kihikihi, and presented to him. What a wonderful gesture to the Maori aristocrat and hero, Rewi Maniapoto, also to a splendid race, who, many years after the chiefs death, so very nobly assisted the Motherland in two World Wars, would be accomplished, if it should be arranged for the Royal car to stop, or even to slow down, in front of a simple monument to a great man, which to many unto this day is considered almost a shrine.