MAORI MEMORIES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 10 July 1939, Page 8

MAORI MEMORIES

RAIDING THE SOUTH.

(Recorded by J.H.S. for “Times-Age.”)

Whatanui and Te Heuheti, with their 100 warriors, left Taupo by way of the Rangitikei River to join Rauparaha, whose mana was now at a high altitude. They killed many resident Maoris en route. A Ngatiapa woman and her family were among their victims. After consulting Rauparaha at Kapiti, it was decided to conquer and enslave the various tribes in the South Island, Waipounamu, the source of the treasured greenstone. With his usual foresight, Rauparaha had during the year secured from the whale ships a supply of seed potatoes, which were then known in that district for the first time. These were carefully tended and the crop stored for food. The whole tribe was armed as the result of trade with whale ships. Waitohi, a sister of Rauparaha, with their family instinct, saw trouble ahead unless the conquered territory was allotted to the various tribes. The fertile lands from Turakina southward for 100 miles was divided by mutual consent, and the boundaries were never again questioned. With nearly 400 picked warriors, well firmed, led by eight chiefs under Rauparaha, their war canoes made straight for D’Urville Island, with which Wairau, Pelorus and Queen Charlotte Sounds had been occupied for five generations by the Rangitanes, who outnumbered Rauparaha s forces by two to one. Having only weapons of wood and stone, they were slain in hundreds and devoured under the guise of the religious ceremony of utu, satisfaction for alleged wrongs of past centuries. Many more were enslaved and taken to kapiti to be similarly treated. Te Pehi, having returned from England with still more modern weapons, joined’ Rauparaha’s forces, forming an invincible army of raiders.