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Port Molyneux : the story of Maori and pakeha in South Otago : a centennial history : commemorating the landing of George Willsher and his companions at Willsher Bay, June 28, 1840 : with a programme for the unveiling of the centennial cairn, erected by the Clutha County Council, June 28, 1940

Maoris Living At Molyneux In 1844

Maoris Living At Molyneux In 1844.

We know Makariri was at Molyneux when Willsher arrived in 1840. On Tuckett's visit in June, 1844, he noted the following:—

“Immediately north of the mouth of the Kunesoo, also on the seashore, reside a few Maoris, viz., Toki, the widow of Tahin, formerly chief of Kunesoo; Maihou and Touwere, aged men; KakiKaki and Tohatu, young men; also the children. They have lately erected some new houses of improved construction and have a few acres of land adjoining under cultivation. These, with Te Kaki and Kuri, of the Tiarea, who dwell at the Taiarea, are the only aboriginal residents; Tuawiti was born on the banks of the Matau, and considers himself as almost sole proprietor.”

Mr. Tuckett had some difficulty in the spelling of Maori names; and the early compositors and proof readers were not very sure about these difficult names either; but I think we can agree on these: Kunesoo should be Karoro; Toki, the widow of Tahin, should be Toke, the widow of Tahu; Makauri is obviously Makariri; Kaki–Kaki should be Raki–Raki (later known as Haimona Lakitap); Tohatu may be the Kinihi Kurupohatu mentioned in the following list, and who was the father of the Maori known to the early settlers as Kingi Ruru.