Post by Kiwi Frontline on Sept 7, 2017 8:14:49 GMT 12
REVISING NZ HISTORY 5: WIREMU KINGI AT WAITARA
Kingi’s strong attachment to Waitara
Even though he had moved south from Taranaki, and lived at Waikanae for some years, Kingi had decided that he was passionately attached to Waitara (north-east of New Plymouth).
He repeatedly threatened anyone who would allow its sale, having forced the abandonment of the 1839 sale after it had been recognised by Commissioner Spain in 1844. (See article 4: August 29)
In 1848, he broke a promise to Governor Grey and went back to the south bank of the Waitara River. There he continued to oppose those Te Atiawa who wished to sell their land.
Conflict between those for and against selling
The following decade was marked by savage feuds, with fighting between those who wished to sell their land and those who aimed to ban, and prevent, such sales.
(I have summarised these complicated and deadly feuds in a chapter of my book The Kingite Rebellion.)
This lawlessness among Maori, which was not then policed by the central government, was one reason why Tamihana Te Rauparaha at Otaki began to support the idea of a Maori king to control the tribes.
Kingi was active in attacks on the pro-sale faction. At one time, when the position of a principal pro-sale loyalist, Ihaia, became desperate, it was reported that Kingi had evinced a determination to slaughter, without regard to sex or age, the inmates of the Karaka pa. (Ihaia’s people).
The new governor takes a stand
For years the authorities were paralysed, too feeble to apprehend the murderers. Then in 1855 a new Governor, Colonel Gore Browne, decided that law and order must be brought to the Maori of Taranaki.
His first visit achieved little, as neither of the major opponents, allies Kingi and Katatore, came to meet him. The native feud still raged, and neither cared to ask for safe-conduct.
The duty of the Governor was clear; the Treaty of Waitangi set down both the right to hold one’s land and of the right to sell if that is desired.
This is from the translation from the Maori by Apirana Ngata in 1922.
… the chiefs assembled and all other chiefs yield to the Queen the right to alienate such lands which the owners desire to dispose of at a price agreed upon between the owners and person or persons appointed by the Queen to purchase on her behalf.
Teira’s sale is approved but Kingi resists
When in 1857 Browne promised firmly to assert the law in Taranaki, Teira (an ally of Ihaia) offered to sell a small area of 600 acres in Waitara. Browne had no choice, and he agreed to accept providing that Teira could prove his title.
In 1859 the local Land Purchase Commissioner, Parris, ruled in favour of the sale.
Even though he had agreed that the land belonged to Teira, Kingi (an ally of Katatore, who was murdered in 1858 as part of those feuds) continued to express his determination not to give the land up – Yes, the land is theirs, but I will not let them sell it.
Kingi’s people pulled up the survey pegs and built a pa on the disputed block.
War breaks out
This forced armed action by a Government that was determined to bring the rule of law to Taranaki, and conflict began.
Kingi, being no warrior himself, fell to the rear, and his relative, Hapurona, became his fighting general.
This conflict then provided the opportunity for hawks in the newly formed king movement to join the fighting (against the wishes of their ‘king’, Te Wherowhero) and over the next few years war spread across the island.
While so many Maori were rejecting old tribal rivalries and living peacefully, here a peacemaker had become a warmonger.....
Continue reading Dr John Robinson’s # 5 series published in the ‘Kapiti Independent’ here > kapitiindependentnews.net.nz/revising-nz-history-5-wiremu-kingi-at-waitara/
Kingi’s strong attachment to Waitara
Even though he had moved south from Taranaki, and lived at Waikanae for some years, Kingi had decided that he was passionately attached to Waitara (north-east of New Plymouth).
He repeatedly threatened anyone who would allow its sale, having forced the abandonment of the 1839 sale after it had been recognised by Commissioner Spain in 1844. (See article 4: August 29)
In 1848, he broke a promise to Governor Grey and went back to the south bank of the Waitara River. There he continued to oppose those Te Atiawa who wished to sell their land.
Conflict between those for and against selling
The following decade was marked by savage feuds, with fighting between those who wished to sell their land and those who aimed to ban, and prevent, such sales.
(I have summarised these complicated and deadly feuds in a chapter of my book The Kingite Rebellion.)
This lawlessness among Maori, which was not then policed by the central government, was one reason why Tamihana Te Rauparaha at Otaki began to support the idea of a Maori king to control the tribes.
Kingi was active in attacks on the pro-sale faction. At one time, when the position of a principal pro-sale loyalist, Ihaia, became desperate, it was reported that Kingi had evinced a determination to slaughter, without regard to sex or age, the inmates of the Karaka pa. (Ihaia’s people).
The new governor takes a stand
For years the authorities were paralysed, too feeble to apprehend the murderers. Then in 1855 a new Governor, Colonel Gore Browne, decided that law and order must be brought to the Maori of Taranaki.
His first visit achieved little, as neither of the major opponents, allies Kingi and Katatore, came to meet him. The native feud still raged, and neither cared to ask for safe-conduct.
The duty of the Governor was clear; the Treaty of Waitangi set down both the right to hold one’s land and of the right to sell if that is desired.
This is from the translation from the Maori by Apirana Ngata in 1922.
… the chiefs assembled and all other chiefs yield to the Queen the right to alienate such lands which the owners desire to dispose of at a price agreed upon between the owners and person or persons appointed by the Queen to purchase on her behalf.
Teira’s sale is approved but Kingi resists
When in 1857 Browne promised firmly to assert the law in Taranaki, Teira (an ally of Ihaia) offered to sell a small area of 600 acres in Waitara. Browne had no choice, and he agreed to accept providing that Teira could prove his title.
In 1859 the local Land Purchase Commissioner, Parris, ruled in favour of the sale.
Even though he had agreed that the land belonged to Teira, Kingi (an ally of Katatore, who was murdered in 1858 as part of those feuds) continued to express his determination not to give the land up – Yes, the land is theirs, but I will not let them sell it.
Kingi’s people pulled up the survey pegs and built a pa on the disputed block.
War breaks out
This forced armed action by a Government that was determined to bring the rule of law to Taranaki, and conflict began.
Kingi, being no warrior himself, fell to the rear, and his relative, Hapurona, became his fighting general.
This conflict then provided the opportunity for hawks in the newly formed king movement to join the fighting (against the wishes of their ‘king’, Te Wherowhero) and over the next few years war spread across the island.
While so many Maori were rejecting old tribal rivalries and living peacefully, here a peacemaker had become a warmonger.....
Continue reading Dr John Robinson’s # 5 series published in the ‘Kapiti Independent’ here > kapitiindependentnews.net.nz/revising-nz-history-5-wiremu-kingi-at-waitara/