Plume of the Arawas

IV. The Sparkling Waters of Taupo

IV. The Sparkling Waters of Taupo

But if in distant lands they ask
“Whose sons are ye?” reply:
“(Te Arawa's) sons are known to all!”

T he chief tohunga attended on the ariki that night as bidden, but at first they merely sat and looked at each other, each busy with his own thoughts, yet knowing well what had to be said.

At last Mawaké-Taupo spoke, and there was a coldness in his tone quite apparent to his hearer:

“O Taréha, when the taua departs thou shalt remain here and take charge of Hikurangi until my return. Appoint some other tohunga, therefore, to accompany the warriors! Guard the pa well! Place a few men along the ridges overlooking the valley, that they may be free to hasten after me should Hikurangi be besieged! For the rest, thou art trained in war and thou knowest the dangers to be avoided. Therefore, enough!

“Now as to my people! These also I place in thy charge, save only Marama. Te Moana the Wise and Te Puku the Fat shall have her in safe keeping, for I am unwilling to give thee authority over her.

“Now as to the chieftainship! Well do I know that thou dost crave for power, and that, if aught befall me in the Uréwera, thou wilt claim the chieftainship in my stead. Thy supporters will say that Manaia is too young. Yet knowing this, still do I leave thee in charge on Hikurangi. Thy thoughts and thy desires are for thee alone, but the people will decide the end of things as is their custom. To thee be the chieftainship if thou be more fitted to lead Hikurangi than is Manaia.

“One thing more! Three youths of the Wharé-wananga must be released from the tapu, that they may accompany the taua on the march. Manaia will be one, and the other two will be Rata and thy grandson Kahu. The posts of danger shall be theirs, as befits their rank. Enough!”

It was some little time before Taréha replied, for he had to choose his words carefully, showing neither anger nor weakness before the ariki. At last:

“O Mawaké-Taupo, as a chieftain of the Maori hast thou spoken, and as a chieftain of the Maori will I reply, for though thou art from Ngatoro-i-rangi the Great Tohunga, yet I am from Tama-te-kapua, the head chief of the Arawa canoe. Yes, and the enmity between them on the voyage from Tawhiti still lives in us, and always is there a striving for the mastery. Now then!

“As to the chieftainship, thou art pondering thine own thoughts, and I am pondering mine.

“As to the youths of the Wharé-wananga, they shall be released in accordance with thy wish. They shall accompany the taua, and with the warriors also shall go two of the tohungas.

“As to thy daughter Marama, I seek not the responsibility of her care.

“As to the safety of Hikurangi during thine absence, I will guard the pa as an Arawa should.

“Enough then for all those things which thou hast mentioned!”

Knowing that the conference was at an end, the chief tohunga at a sign from the ariki quietly took his departure. Mawaké-Taupo waited for a while, and then he stepped outside his dwelling that he might have a final glance around before retiring for the night. Moreover, he desired to rid his mind of all cumbering thoughts about his chief tohunga.

As he gazed around, he saw a crowd of young people pouring forth from the Wharé-tapéré or House-of-Pleasure. An entertainment in honour of the visitors was at an end, and Te Puku who was in charge would allow no one to loiter. By the light of the fires he could be seen breaking up the merry groups that tried to form here and there along the terraces. The young warriors would have to have their sleep. Therefore, no one took offence.

The sight interested the ariki. He was interested in the Wharé-tapere and in its doings. It represented a wholesome influence in the life of every village of the tribe. It enabled the young folk to give play to their abundant spirits under real though hidden supervision. It was a means whereby the young warriors were encouraged in evening recreations and contests that made for mental alertness and quickness of eye and limb. It was a means whereby the maidens could display the gracefulness and charm that appealed so much to heart and mind. What mattered the noise, the uproar, that sometimes disturbed the peace of the pa?

Returning to his dwelling, he found Manaia waiting for him outside. They gave each other greeting. Then said Manaia:

“Last night the choice was made. First this war with Tuhoe! Then will I follow in the footsteps of Tia and Ngatoro. I will see again the sparkling waters of Taupo. The canoe-chants of Te Arawa shall float across the Taupo-nui-a-Tia. The Inland Sea shall come to know the carved prows of the rushing warcanoes of Manaia. Enough!”

Mawaké-Taupo moved across by himself to the edge of the marae, and for a long time he remained there, absorbed in thought. But now certainty had come to him at last. Did Ngatoro-i-rangi hear the whisper that came?

“For my son Manaia! The sparkling waters of Taupo! The sparkling waters of Taupo!”