MAORI MEMORIES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 25 January 1939, Page 8

MAORI MEMORIES

FRIEND AND ENEMY. (Recorded by J.H.S. for “Times-Age.”) The Maniapoto tribe in 1861 was the most powerful in New Zealand, both in regard to force of arms and hatred of the whites. They were the first of the Waikatos to invade Taranaki tribes. They were better armed and lost only a few men, but secured much plunder in food, clothing, greenstone and women, these last with the sole purpose of increasing their young warriors and depleting those of the enemy’s future ranks. Rewi Manaiapoto, their leader, was the chief instigator for the renewal of hostilities in Taranaki against both Maoris and Europeans. His ambition was to make Hangatiki the capital of the Maori Kingdom in the place of Ngaruawahia. They made secret raids on settlers in the districts of Auckland and Waikato. The tribe, according to ancient custom, having a voice in the disposal of the daughters of their woman, desired to marry a half-caste girl who was in domestic service in Auckland to a young chief. A raid was made, and the girl was carried off past our police and soldiers. As she refused to marry the young man she was alNear the King's stronghold lays Horotiu, the home of Wiremu Tarnihana, who was strongly in favour of Maori nationality, yet he was a splendid advocate of peace bJtween the Maori and the Pakeha people. Since he succeeded in putting an end to the Taranaki war, there had been a constant struggle between Rewi of Manaiapoto and Wiremu, the one trying to foster war and the other to prevent it.