CHAPTER I.
The Rise of the Prophet, Te Ua Haumene.

As a result of the previous wars, large areas of native lands were confiscated. The irritation resulting from this action was one of the chief reasons for the renewal of the conflict in Taranaki, and the consequent propagation of the new religion of Hauhauism under the auspices of the prophet Te Ua Haumene.

In a Despatch to His Grace, the Duke of Newcastle, the Governor stated that:—

“I feel certain that the chiefs of Waikato having in so unprovoked a manner caused Europeans to be murdered, and having planned a wholesale destruction of some of the European settlements, it will be necessary now to take efficient steps for the permanent security of the country.… I can devise no other plan by which these ends can be obtained than, first, by providing for the permanent peace of the country by locating large bodies of European settlers strong enough to defend themselves in those natural positions in this Province which will give us the entire command of it…; and secondly, by taking the land on which this European population is to be settled from those tribes who have been guilty of the page 17 outrages detailed in my various despatches to Your Grace.…”¹

The confiscation was carried out under the New Zealand Land Settlement Act, which had been framed by the Whitaker-Fox Ministry, and passed by the Legislature in 1863.²

As there were large tracts of country lying unoccupied, useless, and unproductive, which might be made available for the introduction and location of such settlers “with benefit to themselves, and with manifest advantage to the Colony,” it was enacted that the Governor-in-Council might take native land where desirable in order to set aside sites for settlements.³ The money derived from the sale of land was to be devoted to recouping the expenses of the war, in the construction of public works, the establishment of schools and other institutions, and in promoting immigration for the colonisation of the confiscated territory. An enormous area of the Waikato and the neighbouring country was confiscated under this Act.⁴

MAP showing the Territory confiscated in the Waikato country in the Province of Taranaki and near Wanganui under the New Zealand Native Land Settlements Act, 1863. Enclosed in Governor's Despatch No. 144, 8th Oct., 1864. Printed in Further Papers relative to the Affairs of New Zealand (11291) 7th Feb., 1865. Great Britain, Parl. Papers.

KEREOPA, THE NOTORIOUS HAUHAU MURDERER. From Gudgeon's Reminiscences of the War in New Zealand.

The defeat of the Kingite tribes, and the settlement of the confiscated lands with large bodies of drilled men, secured peace in the Waikato.¹ But General Cameron's successful campaign 1863–1864, by no means secured a general pacification of the Maoris.² During the continuance of the Waikato campaign, no attempt had been made to carry on active operations on an extended scale at Taranaki, or to retain possession of the Tataraimaka block, the occupation of which had been the signal for the commencement of hostilities in May, 1863.³ Little more had been done than to maintain the position within the entrenchments of New Plymouth, and in a few neighbouring redoubts.

The temporary pacification was broken by renewed warfare in Taranaki, but this time accompanied by a fanatic ferocity unknown in previous campaigns. This new phase of warfare was due to the outbreak of Hauhauism, or the religion of Pai Marire. This religion hardened the Maori fighting spirit in a kind of holy war.

Irritation with the Government was rife in 1863, and thus the Maoris were peculiarly susceptible to the influences of a new religion, especially when it promised them deliverance from their degradation. Lady Martin says:—

“The people were maddened by defeat, disease, and by the confiscation of their land.”¹

A pioneer missionary reports to the Church Missionary Society:—

“Through the war they (the Maoris) have been vexed and prejudiced, sometimes maddened and driven to extremes.”²

Bishop Selwyn, fresh from the scene, thus addressed the Third Synod in Christchurch:—

“The war, which seemed to have come to an end, was renewed by the perversity of a few misguided men. Mixed with the new element of the confiscation of land, it acquired a bitterness unknown before. The missionary clergy were believed to be the agents of the Government in a deep laid plot for the subjugation of the native people. Our congregations melted away, our advice was disregarded. Exasperated by continued defeat, and loss of friends and relations, many became reckless. The feeling grew among them that they would abandon the religion of their enemies, and set up one of their own.”³

Thus Pai Marire¹ appeared just at the hour when the hostile tribes, embittered by heavy losses in men and property, were in a mood to welcome a new battle cry with the hope of turning the tide of war against the Pakeha. The Bishop of Waiapu declared in 1865:—

“The great moving principle of Pai Marire is that it is a scheme which promises a successful termination of the war with which we are afflicted.”²

Cowan, who wrote on the origins of the Hauhau Wars, said:—

“But when the white fire of a fanatic religion fused the people in a federation of hate against the Pakeha, all problems merged into one—that of race mastery… it spread like a fire in dry fern; and we find tribes who had no grievance against the white man united in casting off semicivilisation, and throwing themselves into the battle for Maori independence.”³

“one of the most terrible and disgusting superstitions that ever found lodgment in diseased brain or perverted heart.”¹

But it seems probable that even if Te Ua had not appeared at this critical time, the Maoris would have made some last attempt to withstand the apparently inexorable advance of the pakehas. The prime objectives of the Maoris were essentially “Maori independence,” and the “successful termination of the war.” Te Ua's contribution was to give a religious bent to an otherwise purely political movement.

In 1862 Te Ua claimed that the Angel Gabriel appeared to him. In September of that year, the “Lord Worsley” was wrecked off the coast of Taranaki. The natives debated among themselves what should be done. A few, including Te Ua, wished the goods to be sent into the town untouched.² When he found that his advice was not taken, but on the contrary, that the goods were plundered, he was so afflicted that he became very ill, and while in this state the Angel Gabriel appeared and spoke to him.³

Bishop Williams believed that he showed strong signs of insanity.¹ Other evidence seems to confirm this. Gudgeon says:—

“Te Ua up to the date of his inspiration had been considered a harmless lunatic. His tribe looked on him as of weak intellect, but yet of peaceful disposition.”²

The Presbyterian Chaplain to the Imperial troops says:—

“He seems to have been afflicted with a species of insanity for some years.”³

The Resident Magistrate of Central Wanganui confirms the above account in substance, although details vary. He says:—

“Horopapera took his son and twisted the leg until the bone broke in several places. A voice then cried: ‘Horopapera, spare your son.’ The Angel Gabriel then said: ‘Take your son and wash him in water.’ He took his son to a river called Wairau, and the leg was restored whole as the other.”²

Again another version relates that a child had a twisted foot, which he tried to straighten by pulling it violently, and then striking it with an axe, he broke the bone and the child died.…³