MAORI MEMORIES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 11 July 1939, Page 3

MAORI MEMORIES

ANOTHER RAID.

(Recorded by J.H.S. for “Times-Age.”)

Flushed with victory, and having eaten the flesh of enemy warriors by which they had also “gained the spirit and bravery of theii* victims,” Rauparaha and Te Pehi went to Kai Koura to test the threat of the Southern Chief Rerewaka (the sailing canoe) that he would “rip his belly with a shark’s tooth.”

A Maori chief never forgets a Kanga (curse) of that nature, because its effect is supposed to rest upon its victim until retaliation by Utu (reprisal) is effectively given. This, however, was only removed when the Ngakau (heart) of the man who uttered the curse, was eaten by the person concerned. Another motive for the invasion was to secure the treasured store of pounamu (greenstone) implements of war, industry and ornament for which these Southern Maoris were famed. The best pounamu in its natural state was only found near Cannibal Gorge not far from Greymouth, and that was the sole reason why the Maori tribes lived on that stormy mountain coast. The only available food in the river of rapids was the tuna (eel), and on the rocky mountains and narrow forest valleys Kiwi and Kakapo, both wingless birds. Unfortunately, however, the land court records of Walter Buller and John Stevens, two advocates in most Maori land claims, from whom my information is derived, do not refer to Rauparaha’s exploits beyond Kaiapohia. After leaving D’Urville, the fleet of Ngatitoa canoes approached Kaikoura, where the local tribe, expecting a friendly visit from the South, came out to greet them. Seeing his advantage, Rauparaha by some mysterious signal as effective as wireless, told his fleet to respond in similar terms of friendship. The result was a terrific slaughter. Over 1000 men, women and children were killed, and others, including Rerewaka, taken to Kapiti to be eaten as a daily sacrifice to the Maori gods.