MAORI MEMORIES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 3 August 1938, Page 3

MAORI MEMORIES

RAUPARAHA, THE PRETENDER. (Recorded by J.H.S. for “Times-Age.”) The most prominent Maori figure in history may be set down as Rauparaha who was born at Kawhia about 1769. He and his tribe fled south in 1822 to escape the fire arms of Hongi. Rauparaha bought guns from the whalers on Kapiti, and drove away the tribes on both sides of Cook Straits. Rauparaha only became known to us when contaminated with our own vices, and gifted with but few of our virtues. Skill, not bravery, was an outstanding feature. Success endowed him with a reputation for genius. For full fifty years he eluded danger. He prompted others to desperate deeds, but always avoided personal risk. His own people knew that his whole life was a career of perfidy and treachery. Songs were chanted to his vile' memory, thus — “Deceive the man, flatter the woman, Find the good of Rauparaha; Is he good or is he bad? He’s a deceiver, don’t forget.” He was small and wiry, his forehead broad, but sloping back. After Waij;au, he became gloomy and in dread of his enemies of both races. When released in 1848 he found his Mana (influence) had gone, and his career ended. He renewed his pretentions of Christianity, and lived at the mission station in Otaki, where he made a pretended show of worship in the church built under his direction. Bishop Hadfield prayed with him, and when His Lordship had gone, the old sinner said to his medical attendant, “All that nonsense is no good for my puku.” Not having been baptized, he was buried outside the church ground, a layman reading the service to 1500 mourners. •. .