MAORI MEMORIES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 6 July 1939, Page 11

MAORI MEMORIES

KAPITI ENTERED. (Recorded by J.H.S. tor “Times-Age.”) False reports of discords and wrongs between Maori tribes were not so frequent or dangerous as the allegations of international press reports which threaten to upset the peaceful relations between various countries today. The conquest and occupation of Kapiti Island, so long sought by Rauparaha, but frequently defeated, was easily effected by Pehi Kupe, one of Rauparaha’s chief supporters, by such means.

Rauparaha deliberately spread false reports to the effect that Pehi and he were not in agreement concerning Kapiti, and that Pehi was opposed to its invasion. The main forces of Ngatitoa .and Ngatiawa under Rauparaha went north to Horowhenua to attack the Mauapoko and Rangitane, leaving Pehi Kupe with a score of warriors to defend the pa. Apparently on a leisurely fishing expedition, their canoe approached the island and landed at dawn while the people were asleep. After much slaughter, the islanders flccl to the mainland in the canoes, leaving Pehi’s little army in possession. Meantime the Ngatiawas, under Wiremu Kingi. returned to their home at Waitara. leaving .Rauparaha and his Ngatitoas comparatively weak; so they returned from their false raid and landed in safe isolation on Kapiti, welcomed by Kupe. A full supply of guns and powder coming from trade with the whalers restored the power of the Ngatitoa. who soon raided Horowhenua in earnest, conquering the Muaupoko, killing and eating them in hundreds. The artificial islands constructed on Lake Papaitonga successfully resisted tne attempted capture by swimmers in the darkness. But a fleet of canoes dragged overland soon gave Rauparaha complete possession; not, however, without heavy losses, which he sought to recover by multiple and intertribal marriages.