THE LAST OF THE CANNIBALS

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 219, 11 April 1872, Page 9

THE LAST OF THE CANNIBALS

Tarai Ngakuti, who has just died at Upper Thames, was one. of the last of the old cannibals, and was the last who perpetrated cannibalism in New Zea laud, on the occasion when he led the Thames natives on to attack the Tauranga people at Ongare, near Katikati. This took place in 1842, after the colonisation of the country, and after the founding of the city of Auckland. He completely routed the Tauranga people, and killed great numbers, bringing away a large quantity of human flesh, which he first took to Kauwerenga, a large pa situated on the present site of Shorlland. Here the war party landed, and, after relieving tlieir feelings by indulging 'in a war dance, they replenished their stomachs (as soon as the hangis were ready) with a portion of their once living cargo. After sticking several heads on the highest poles of the pa fence, they once more embarked in their canoes and started for Te Puru, which was then a large settlement of the Ngatitamatera, Taraia's tribe. A basket of the flesh was sent as a present to Te Horeta (commonly to Europeans as Hook-noose), but this chief declined to accept it, saying that he had given up such dark practices. Tarai was from his youngest days famed as a warrior, and was fortunate enough to maintain his standing as such to the last. He was not in Waikato during the succession of fights which took place there betw.een the Thames tribes and the Waikatos, and which terminated in the exodus of the former tribes from the Waikato to their own homes, after the battle of Taumatawiwi ; and he used often to taunt his people with their inability to fight their enemies in his absence, and point to the invariable success which always attended his strong arm. Personally he was not liked, but his name was dreaded, and continued to be until the new state of things, brought about by the introduction of Christianity, robbed him of his followers. During the last few years his influence has entirely gone. Still, no doubt, he will l>e greatly honoured now he is dead ; the remembrance of his former greatness, and the fact of his having been a principal actor in the great events in the history of the tribe, will cause not only the Thames tribes, but others, to pay tribute to his memory.