Northern Estimate Of His Character.

In the Kai Tahu fights against the North Island Ngatitoa, led by Rauparaha, the leading spirit was Tuhawaiki. Here is a Kaiapoi view. Canon Stack, in his “Maori History of Banks Peninsula,” gives an estimate of the paramount chiefs of Kai Tahu:—

“The Ngai Tahu chiefs who exercised the greatest influence over the fortunes of their people in modern times were Te Mai–hara–nui, Taiaroa, and Tuhawaiki … all three took a prominent part in the later history of the Peninsula. Te Mai–hara–nui was the highest in rank, while his cousin Tuhawaiki came next. But though slightly superior by birth, both were inferior in mental qualities to Taiaroa, a noble man, whose conduct stands out in pleasing contrast to those of the two cousins. For while they will be remembered only for their cruel and evil deeds, he will always be esteemed for his brave and generous actions in war and his wise and kindly counsels in peace.”

Taiaroa was a Kai Tahu chief who originally came from Taumutu (Lake Ellesmere), but who had taken up residence at Otakou. He was closely related to northern people, and had the habit of accompanying southern war parties who were having private wars with their kinsmen up north. On more than one occasion he went ahead and gave the northerners private warnings. How kindly and generous he was is vividly portrayed by Shortland in his account of Taiaroa's strangling of Kohi!

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