Other formats

    TEI XML file   ePub eBook file  

Connect

    mail icontwitter iconBlogspot iconrss icon

Tales of Banks Peninsula

Kal Huanga (Eat Relation)

Kal Huanga (Eat Relation)

The Kai huarga feud was the first serious outbreak page 21amongst the Maoris of the Peninsula since their conquest of Ngatimamoe. For nearly one hundred and fifty years they had been increasing in numbers and wealth. Tu te kawa's son had revealed to them the secret; pass he had found to the West Coast, and expeditions were annually sent across the mountains to procure greenstone, which, when manufactured, attracted purchasers from North and South, who exchanged mats and potted mutton birds, and other things, for the coveted greenstone. The development of trade with Europeans promised a continuance of prosperity and peaceful enterprise. This promise was destined to be rudely broken by a feud that not only disorganised the entire social system of the vatious Maori communities here, but nearly annihilated the population of the district. The immediate cause that roused all this animosity, and provoked so much bloodshed, must seem to Europeans most trivial and inadequate, but there is little doubt that mutual jealousies and old grudges were working below the surface in men's minds, and forcing on hostilities which, when once begun, led to further reprisals, and so the quarrel deepened and widened after every encounter. The immediate cause of the quarrel was owing to Murihaka, the wife of Potahi, putting on a dogskin mat belonging to Te Mai hara nui, which he had left in charge of someone at Waikakahi. This act was regarded as an insult by the immediate relations of the chief, since everything in the shape of apparel belonging to him was held to be exceedingly sacred. The greatest consternation prevailed throughout the pa as soon as it became known what had happened At length some of the men grew so exasperated at the thought of Murihaka's sacrilegious act that they fell, not upon the perpetrator of the deed, but upon a poor servant woman belonging to a relative of hers, named Rerewaka, and put her to death. When her masters, Hape and Rangi Whakapaku, saw her dead body lying on the ground, they were much enraged, but instead of wreaking their vengeance on those who committed the murder, they went off to a village of Ngati Koreha, at Tai Tapu, in search of some members of the murderers' family. They page 22succeeded in finding Hape, whom they killed. This man was married to Hinehorahina, of Ngati Hurihia, sister of Tawhakiterangi, one of the principal chiefs of Taumutu. His widow took refuge with her brothers, who were greatly pained at witnes ing her grief for the loss of her husband, of whom she was very fond. As they watched the tears streaming down her cheeks, day after day, while she sat pounding fern root for their daily meals, they meditated over some scheme for avenging her loss. At last they decided what to do. They collected a small war party together, and then made a sudden attack upon Waikakahi, where they killed Puiaiti and Te Moroiti, the latter being a chief of Ngati Irakehu. His death brought the Taumutu people into collision with the greater part of the inhabitants of the Peninsula, and involved them in what proved to be a ruinous struggle with superior forces. They followed up their first attack on Waikakahi by a second a few weeks afterwards, when they killed Te Rangi e pu, another Irakehu chief

Te Mai hara nui was absent from the district at the commencement of the feud, having gone to Kaikoura to fetch a large war canoe which his relatives there had presented to him. He first heard of the outbreak on landing at Te Aka Aka (Salt-water Creek), where some persons met him, and told him that some of his family had been attacked, and several of them killed. He made no remark to his informants, but when he reached Kaiapoi, a few hours later, he said to his uncles, who resided there, "It is my turn now; Ngati hui kai is there, Ngati hui kai is here, Ngati Mango is there, Ngati mango is here; Ngai tua huriri, do not move." This was an intimation that he would avenge his relatives' death, and that it was his wish that the Kaiapoi people should not interfere. There was some probability of their doing so, as many Kaiapoi families were connected by marriage with the Taumutu people. Having given expression to his determination, he proceeded on his journey towards Akaroa, followed by about twenty Kaiapoi men. On reaching Wairewa, steps were immediately page 23taken to raise a war party, which was subsequently led by Te Mai hara nui against Taumutu. A battle was fought at Hakirai, which resulted in the defeat of the residents and the death of many persons, amongst whom was the chief Te Pori and several Kaiapoi women. More of the latter would have fallen victims, but for the presence of the attacking force of the Kaiapoi contingent, which made it their business to protect, as far as they could, the lives of their kinswomen. It was in this way that Te Parure, sister of the chief Taiaroa, escaped death or dishonour. She had taken refuge with her children in a whata, but having been seen by Tannunu, was pursued, and would have been captured but for Te Whakatuke, who came up just as Taununu was mounting the narrow ladder leading to her retreat, and, clasping his arms round that warrior's body, held tightly on to the ladder, and pressed him with such violence against it that Taununu was glad to desist from this purpose. Te Whakatuke, fearing the consequences of deserting his post, continued to keep guard till the engagement was over. So ended the first attack on Taumutu. Te Mai hara nui withdrew his forces, and dismissed them to their several homes.

The severe defeat sustained by the Taumutu people at Hakitai did not crush their spirits, nor weaken their determination to retaliate on the first fitting opportunity. But to accomplish their purpose it was necessary to obtain assistance, since they had received convincing proof in the late engagement that, single handed, they were no match for Te Mai hara nui's powerful clans. Accordingly, they commissioned Hine haka, mother of Ihaia, Whaitiri, a lady connected with many influential chiefs in the South, to proceed to Otakou and Murihiku, for the purpose of enlisting her friends' sympathies on their behalf, and raising from amongst them an armed force to aid them in the coming struggle. She was successful in her mission, and returned in a few months, accompanied by a considerable body of men. But they were not destined to achieve any great victory or to inflict any serious loss upon their opponents. On the arrival of their reinforcements at Taumutu, page 24a messenger was despatched to Kaiapoi to invite the co-operation of all who wished to avenge their women killed at Hakitai. About a hundred warriors responded to the invitation, and set off at once for the seat of war. The combined forces then marched up the coast to attack Wairewa. The engagement which followed —afterwards known as Kai whare-atua—was almost bloodless, but it is memorable for being the first occasion on which firearms were used in this part of the country The Ngati pahi, who possessed two guns, occupied a proud and envied position in the fore front of the expedition. Though few ventured to touch the novel and dangerous weapons, all took a deep interest in their use, and hoped by their means to secure an easy victory, not so much from the execution in the ranks of the enemy likely to follow their discharge, as from the terror certain to be inspired by the report of firearms heard for the first time. These anticipations would probably have been realised, but for the chief Taiaroa, who kept far in advance of everyone, and reached Wairewa in time to give the inhabitants warning of approaching danger. On nearing the pa sufficiently to be recognised, he cried out, "Escape! fly for your lives! take to your canoes and go to the sea, for guns are our weapons!" The mention of the dreaded guns was quite enough to create an immediate panic. Everyone who could move rushed off in headlong flight, and when the Taumutu army arrived, they found the place quite deserted, and the only person they succeeded in shooting was a servant woman named Mihi nui, belonging to Pikoro. In order to understand Taiaroa's conduct on this and subsequent occasions, it is necessary to bear in mind that, although he had accompanied the Southern contingent in the capacity of a leader, he was in reality a Taumutu chief, and closely related to all the Peninsula people. He was a descendant of Te rua hiki hiki, who wrested that part of the country from Ngatimamoe, but his family having removed to Otakou, Taiaroa had become identified with the people there. Possessing in an eminent degree the qualities requisite to constitute an efficient Maori ruler, he was chosen at an page 25early age by the people amongst whom he lived to act in that capacity, and acquitted himself so well, that he completely superseded the local chiefs. His fame for courage, wisdom and generosity spread far and wide, and during the troublous times that followed the Kai-huanga feud, he was unanimously elected to fill the post of chief military ruler of the Ngai Tahu tribe. Though opposed to Hine haka's mission, he joined those who rallied round her standard, hoping in the end to defeat her sanguinary purpose, and to put a stop to her fratridical strife. On the first opportunity that presented, he carried his purpose into execution, and succeeded, as we have seen, in thwarting the attack on Wairewa. Foiled in their designs, the Taumutu forces returned home, but the Kaiapoi contingent, after proceeding some distance on their way, began to fear the jeers and taunts they were certain to encounter if they returned empty handed, so they turned back as far as Kaitangata, where they met and killed Iritoro, son of Wharetake take and Hinei Wharitia. They little imagined the serious consequences that would ensue, or they might have selected another victim. This man's mother was sister to Tau nunu, a chief who had some time before migrated from the neighbourhood of Kaikoura to the Peninsula. He was attracted to these parts by the presence of numerous and influential relations, who were in possession of the land. Upon his arrival, several places were assigned to him, and he selected Ripapa, in Lyttelton Harbour, as the site of his fortified pa. The chief no sooner heard of the death of his nephew than he planned and carried out a scheme of ample vengeance. The Kaiapoi warriors had barely reached their homes before he was on the warpath, intent on surprising Whakaepa (Coalgate), a populous offshoot from Kaiapoi. His movements were so secret and so rapid that he captured the pa without a struggle, and put everyone to death. It was not till some time after Taununu's return to Ripapa that the Kaiapoi people learnt the terrible fate that had befallen their friends at Whakaepa. The whole population was roused to frenzy by the news, and it was resolved to send as large a force as could be mustered page 26to punish Taununu; but, receiving intelligence that Taiaroa was marching up the coast, accompanied by a considerable body of men armed with muskets, the Kaiapoi leaders determined to wait his arrival, and get him, if possible, to unite his forces with theirs Their proposal was ultimately accepted, but, instead of proceeding at once to attack Ripapa, the combined forces first marched against Wairewa. Taiaroa repeated the warning he gave the inhabitants on a former occasion, and apparently with a like result, for when the besiegers arrived, they found that most of the inhabitants had escaped to their canoes. Pikoro was the only man on the spot they discovered, and he was killed, together with Tauakina, Te ata ka hua kina, and Kiahaere, sisters of Te Mai hara nui. But Taiaroa's well-intentioned plan for securing the safety of his friends was not destined to be successful this time. The Murihiku musketeers were unwilling to be again deprived of their prey. Having, after a short search, discovered two or three canoes, they pursued the fugitives, who, in their overcrowded vessels, were readily overtaken, when the majority of them were either shot or drowned. The cannibal feast that followed this engagement was regarded at the time as peculiarly atrocious, on account of the close relationship between the devourers and the devoured, and it was from what took place on this occasion that the feud came to be known in the annals of the tribe as "Eat Relation."

Leaving Wairewa, the expedition marched up the Okiri Valley, and over the Waipuna Saddle, and down the Otutu spur to Koukourarata. The scouts in advance came there upon Te ha-nui-orangi, an elderly chief, who was sitting in the sunshine quite unconscious of the existence of danger. His youthful companions were all asleep under the trees, at a short distance off, but before they could be alarmed he was killed. The noise of the struggle roused the young men, who flew too late to his rescue, but they caught one of his assailants, Te Whaka moa moa. The rest of them took to flight, and rejoined their main body, who, hearing what had happened, decided to push on at once to Purau, page 27fearing if they were to delay that night Taununu might receive warning of their approach. It was arranged that all who were armed with muskets should embark in canoes, and proceed by water to Ripapa, while the rest should climb over the hills, and assault the pa on the land side. Taiaroa, who was desirous to give Taununu a chance to escape, hurried forward, and was the first to get within hearing of the pa, when he shouted out, "Fly! escape! guns are our weapons!" But Taununu had anticipated an attack, and had already taken the precaution to cross the harbour a day or two before. Many, however, adopted Taiaroa's friendly advice, and tried to escape in their canoes, but were not quick enough in getting out of musket range, for the attacking party that went round by water reached Ripapa almost as soon as their companions arrived by land, and they at once opened a destructive fire on the escaping canoes. The result was that few who tried to get away by water succeeded; but, with the connivance of Taiaroa, many of the inhabitants passed through the assailants' ranks and reached the hill at the back of the pa, where they stopped pursuit by rolling great stones down upon all who attempted to follow them.

After the destruction of Ripapa, the Otakou and Murihiku warriors returned home, carrying with them the entire population of Taumutu, for they feared to leave them behind to encounter the vengeance of the survivors of the pas that had lately suffered so severely at their hands. But they were soon followed to Otakou by Te Mai hara nui, who, with treacherous intent, employed every argument to induce the Taumutu people to return home. He assured them that all angry feeling had now subsided, that his followers were appeased, being satiated with vengeance. "Return," he urged, "to protect your rich preserves of flat fish at Waihora." He was so pressing in his entreaties, and so positive in his assurances of friendship and Security, that Tawha and the rest of the people consented to return, with the exception of Pokeha and Tihau, who were distrustful, and remained under the protection of their Southern friends. Having gained the object of his page 28visit, Ta Mai hara nui did not want to accompany Tawha, bub hurried back in advance to complete his treacherous designs. In passing up the coast he spent a few days at Te Waiteruati (Temuka), where he was hospitably entertained, and presented with a quantity of potted birds. Only having sufficient men with him to carry his baggage, he begged his entertainers to provide him with porters to carry the pohas they had presented to him as far as Akaroa. His request was readily acceded to, and several men were ordered to accompany him The party travelled amicably up the coast, but on reaching the head of the harbour, Te Mai hara nui, without apparent cause or provocation, perpetrated one of the base and cruel deeds that have rendered his memory infamous. In spite of the remonstrances of his friends and followers, he fell upon the unfortunate carriers, and killed every one of them with his own hands; and then he cut up their bodies and sent portions to all the different pas and hamlets on the Peninsula.

While this tragedy was being enacted in Akaroa harbour, Tawha and his people were journeying towards their home, and were already nearing the mouth of the Rakaia. On being apprised of the fact, Te Mai hara nui despatched a messenger to Kaiapoi to order a detachment of warriors to come to his assistance. About two hundred obeyed the summons, without knowing what their services were wanted for. The narrative of what followed I give in the words of Hakopate atao Tu, an old Kaiapoi chief, still living in 1883. "On reaching Wairewa, we met Te Mai hara nui and a large gathering of men. As soon as we were seated, the Ariki rose up and made a speech to us; then we learnt for the first time that we were meant to attack Taumutu. We were ordered to commence our march at once, and Te Mai hara nui kept in advance of everyone, to prevent any of the chiefs who accompanied him from going forward to meet the returning refugees and exchange pledgeg of peace with them. It was on this march down the Kaitorete spit that our old Kaiapoi warriors first handled a musket It was very amusing to watch their efforts to page 29conceal their nervous dread of the weapons; their hands trembled and shook as they took hold of them, and at the sound of the report that followed a pull of the trigger, they dropped the guns upon the ground, exclaiming "Eh hè! how wonderful are the works of the pakeha!" But they soon got over their fears, and learnt to use muskets with deadly effect. We camped the first night at the spring midway down the spit, and the next morning rose early and marched past Taumutu before breaking our fast. On the march Te Mai hara nui caught sight of Te Rehe, a Waiteruati chief, who accompanied the Kaiapoi contingent, and made a rush at him with the avowed intention of taking his life, but my eldest brother, Te Whakatuka, came to his rescue, and an angry dispute followed. Both were firmed with muskets, which they pointed at each other, and dared each other to fire. The quarrel caused intense excitement, and there is no knowing what the result might; have been, but for the interference of some old chiefs, who came up and parted the combatants. Te Whakatuka was so offended with Te Mai hara nui that he went to the rear with his followers, and threatened to return home, but was dissuaded from his purpose, and shortly caught up to the army at Orehu, "where they stopped to cook food. The place chosen for the camping ground was in a hollow overgrown with tall rushes, between a range of low sand hills. Sentinels were stationed on the high ground towards the south, and, laying our weapons aside, we all busied ourselves preparing food. Before our meal was over, we noticed the sentinels making signs, and, thinking they were hungry and asking to be relieved, someone called out, 'Como and get something to eat.' 'How can we eat?' was the reply. 'Here they all are close at hand.' 'Who?' 'Why, the enemy.' We no sooner heard this than, forsaking our food, each one picked up his belt, and fastened it round his waist, and seized his weapons, and stood ready to meet the foe. Our leaders held a short consultation respecting the order of the battle. Taununu cried, 'I will command the coast side. Whakauira said, 'I will command the lake side.' Te Mai hara nui said, page 30Then I will command the centre.' All the warriors then ranged themselves under their respective leaders, and were ordered to lie flat upon the ground. We were not kept long in suspense. A number of men clad in red shirts, and armed with guns, soon appeared on a ridge at a short distance in front of us, coming towards us. At the sight of such formidable antagonists, Te Mai hara nui's courage completely forsook him. He became very excited, and cried out, 'Who can overcome them? Can these youths, inexperienced in the use of firearms, cope with those veterans?' Then he got up quickly from the ground with the intention of running away, but Whakatuka, who was crouching beside him, seized him by the legs and pulled him down again. 'Sit still,' he said, 'and keep quiet; wait till I stamp my foot, and then rise.' Te Mai hara nui's teeth chattered with fright as he sat cowering in the rushes, while being forcibly restrained from publicly exhibiting his cowardice. A great crowd of men, women and children shortly appeared, following their advanced armed guard. As soon as the latter caught sight of us, they uttered a warning cry and fired Then we all sprang to our feet and rushed forward. Those who had guns singled out the noted chiefs whom they recognised, and continued to fire till they fell. Tawha was the first who was shot. He was claimed by Tauawhara. When the Taumutu people saw that their leader was killed, they took to flight, and all we had to do was to follow and kill as fast as we could. As I ran along I saw in front of me old Upokohina, a cousin of Te Mai hara nui, trying to escape. He was carrying one little child on his back and leading two others by the hand. He called out to the man who was pursuing him, 'Do not kill me." Te Whakatuka, who was at a little distance, heard him beg for his life, and asked who it was. When he knew that it was Upokohina, he called out, 'Keep him till I come up, and take him as payment for Tokomaru,' for he wanted to avenge the insult offered to his friend Te Rehe and himself a few hours before. But Te Mai hara nui, who changed to be close by, defeated his purpose, for, hearing page 31Te Whakatuka's words, he ran forward, crying out in a loud voice, 'Spare my cousin!' Upokohina sat down and his pursuers stood round him. When Te Mai hara nui came up, he at once rubbed noses with his relative, and with each of the children; then, without a moment's warning, he buried his hatchet in the side of the old man's head, who fell over with a groan; then, withdrawing the hatchet, he struck each of the children on the head, cracking their skulls like birds' eggs. Then, turning to Te Whakatuka, he said, 'But for your exclamation I should have spared my cousin and his children, but I could not permit you to boast hereafter that you had either slain or spared any of my family. Our honour demanded their death at my hands."

The slaughter at Orehu was very great, and the cannibal feasts that followed lasted several days. It was the last great encounter connected with the Kai huanga feud, but the last victim was the chief Taununu, who was killed by Kaiwhata and Kaurehe at Otokitoki (close to the spring on the small promontory at the mouth of Lake Forsyth) These two persons were accompanying Taiaroa on one occasion to the South, and finding Taununu alone, they tomakawked him with a woman named Takapauhikihiki. The murder was never avenged. The appearance of Rauparaha at Kaiapoi put a stop for a time to these internal quarrels, and forced Ngai Tahu to combine together to resist the common fee, and so ended the disgraceful Kai-huanga feud.