MAORI MEMORIES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 22 September 1939, Page 9

MAORI MEMORIES

MAORI FANATICS DEFEATED. (Recorded by J.H.S. for “Times-Age.”) The Maori race, under the revolutionary influence of an “invasion” of their territory by civilised people, naturally succumbed to such strange superstitious movements as the “Hau Hau” religion, in which they were led by men like Te Ua, whose name contributed to their fanatical devotion. Its meanings were derived from rain and the neck. Two mysterious sayings were used to influence his followers “Kia tika Te Ua o to tuara” (keep your backbone straight) and “Ka Ua ina kite haere aianei” (rain will fall upon you this day). Their religious cry “Hau hau pai Marire — Hau” meaning, with the .final Hau in a harsh voice, “Blow ye gentle breeze from the skies in peace—Charge.” Reason did not enter into their religion. They were guided solely by fanaticism. Thus these emotional fanatics would have wiped us off the Maori map, but for the devotion of the Arawa and Ngatiporou tribes and men like Tamati Waka, Honi Heke, and Ropata, whose practical knowledge of Maori tactics struck terror into the minds of the Hau Hau followers.

When Te Kooti held the great fortress of Ngatapa, Ropata’s Maori knowledge saved our British forces from inevitable massacre. A secret trap was laid, into which we would haVe fallen but for Ropata who led a vigorous attack on a different angle. Our men flanking him avoided the clever device of the enemy, and captured the hitherto impregnable stronghold from which deadly raids came daily.