MAORI MEMORIES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 29 June 1939, Page 10

MAORI MEMORIES

WELLINGTON TO KAWHIA. (Recorded by J.H.S. for “Times-Age.”) A large party of Maoris came to Kawhia under Tamati Waka Nene in 1817 to join Rauparaha in a raid southward toward Wellington, their objective being slaughter and making slaves with the satisfaction of eating the slain as utu, thereby acquiring any qualities of strength or virtue which may have been possessed by their victims. Many were killed or captured, more were driven to the.hills and forests, not a few to perish from cold and hunger. * At Otaki they came asj friends and were treated as guests with great hospitality. Rauparaha visited Kapiti Island which was held by a section of the Ngatiapa under Potau and Kohuku. Struck by its strategic position and the prospect of trading, especially in guns from the whale ships, Rauparaha decided upon capturing the island by strategy under the guise and pretence of friendship, an art in which he was a past master. The “visitors” then continued their course along the coast killing numbers. Reaching Wellington, then known as “Whanganui a Tara” (the great harbour of Tara), they alarmed the occupants, the Ngati Kahunguna, who fled to Wairarapa. Rauparaha found the Maoris in great numbers entrenched in the strong pa at Tauherenikau, whence they were driven by gunfire, and followed to Porangahau. Returning to Whanganui a Tara (Wellington), they saw an English whaling ship. Waka nene pointed to the sails saying, “Raha, they are good people, make friends, buy guns and become a great man.” So this decided him to finally conquer the coast from Wellington to Kawhia and to become its master. Rangihaeata, his brother-in-law, joined heartily in Rauparaha’s ambitious scheme, making a powerful pair. Rangi’s influence was enhanced by his marrying Pikinga, sister of a Ngatiapa chief.