Proceedings of of the Kohimarama Conference, Comprising Nos. 13 to 18 of the "Maori Messenger."
Conference of Maori Chiefs at Kohimarama, Auckland, on the 10Th July, 1860
Conference of Maori Chiefs at Kohimarama, Auckland, on the 10Th July, 1860.
The chiefs who were present at the opening of the Conference numbered 112, of whom the following is a list:—
- Ngapuhi (Bay of Islands)—Tamati Waka, Wiremu Kaitara, Huirua Mangonui, Wiremu Hau, Tango Hikuwai, Wi Tete, Hori Kingi.
- Parawhau, (Whangarei)—Manihera, Wi Pohe, Taurau Tirarau.
- Ngatiwakaue,(Rotorua)—Ngahuruhuru, Taiapo, Tukihaumene, Winiata Pekamu, Eruera Kahawai, Ngamoni, Tauaru, Ngarama, Pomate, Tauahaka, Rotobiko Haupapa, Henare Kepa, Pererika, Herewini Amohau, Henare te Pukuatua, Taoangaanga.
- Ngatipikiao, (Rotoiti and Maketu)—Rirituku te Perehu, Rewi, Hona, Anania, Te Pirihi.
- Tapuika, (Kai Tuna Rerei)—Moihi Kupe, Rota te Wharehuia.
- Tuhourangi, (Tarawera Lake)—Kihirini, te Tuahu.
- Ngaiterangi, (Tauranga)—Tomika te Mutu, Wiremu Patene, Hamiora Tu, Hamuera te Paki.
- Ngatihe, (Maunga Tapu)—Maihi Pohepohe, Menehira Rakau.
- Ngatiatea, (Awa-a-te-Atua)—Te Makarini.
- Te Tawera—Maketu Petera, Te Rongotoa, Wakaheke [ unclear: Pauro], Tamati Hapimana,
- Ngatitematera (Hauraki)—Karaitiana Tuikau, Haimona Purau.
- Ngatimahanga (Waingaroa,)—Hemi Matini, Te Waka.
- Manukau—Rihari
- Ngatihine, (Aotea)—Manihera, Hira Kingi.
- Ngatiwhatua (Orakei)-Wiremu Hopihona, Paora, Keene, Kawau.
- Ngatihine, (Waikato)—Horohau.
- Ngatipaoa—Patara Pouroto.
- Ngatitoa, (Porirua and Wainui)—Tamihana Rauparaha, Matene Te Whiwhi, Hohepa Tamaihengia, Ropata Urumutu, Nopera Te Ngiha, Horopapera, Pukeko, Hohaia Pokaitara, Rapihana Te Otaota, Hapimana, Te Hope.
- Ngatitama, (Nelson)—Wi Katene Te Manu, Hemi Matenga.
- Ngatiraukawa, (Otaki and Manawatu)—Horomona Toremi, Parakaia Te Pouepa, Hukiki, Wi Paiaka, Kuruhou Rangimaru, Te Moroati Kiharoa, Te Ao Marere, Ihakara Tokonui, Takerei Te Nawe. Taranaki, (Wellington)—Wiremu Tamihana, Hemi Parai.
- Ngaitahu, (Otago and Canterbury)—Pita Te Hori, Taiaroa.
- Patutokoko, (Upper Wanganui)—Tahana Turoa.
- Wanganui—Hori Kingi Te Anaua, Te Mawae, Hoani Wi Hipango, Mete Kingi, Tamati Wiremu, Kawana Paepae, Hori Kerei.
- Ngatiapa, (Whangaehu and Rangitikei)—Ihakara, Hapurona.
- Ngarauru, (Waitotara)—Pehimana.
- Ngatikahungunu—Te Wereta Kawekairangi, Ngatuere, Raniera Te Iho, Hoani Te Kaho, Karaitiana Te Korou, Wiremu Waka, Te Koroneho, Wiremu Kingi Tu-te Pakihirangi, Te Hapuku, Tamihana Ruatapu, Te Hapimana, Te Rengituawaru, Te Waka Perohuka.
- Ngatiporou, (East Cape)—Te Whikiriwhi Te Matehe, Wiremu Pahuru, Te Irimana Ngamare.
- Ngatiama, (Wellington)—Manihera Ngatoro, Porutu, Epiha Wairaweke.
His Excellency Governor Browne opene i the proceedings by reading the following address, a translation, of which was afterwards read by Donald McLean. Esq., (Native Secretary, and President of the Conference):—
My Friends,—Chiefs of New Zealand,
Finally,—I must congratulate you on the vast progress in civilization which your people have made under the protection of the Queen. Cannibalism has been exchanged for Christianity; Slavery has been abolished; War has become more rare; Prisoners taken in war are not slain; European habits are gradually replacing those of your ancestors of which all Christians are necessarily ashamed. The old have reason to be thankful that their sunset is brighter than their dawn, and the young may be grateful that their life did not begin until the darkness of the heathen night had been dispelled by that light which is the glory of all civilized Nations.
Earnestly praying that God, may grant His blessing on your deliberations and guide you in the right path, I leave you to the free discussion of the subjects I have indicated, and of any others you may think likely to promote the welfare of your Race.
(Signed) Thomas Gore Browne,
Governor.
His Excellency then withdrew to an adjoining hall, accompanied by His Honor the Superintendent of the the Province, Colonel Sillery, Colonel Mould, and the members of the Executive Council. Here he held a levee, at which all the Chiefs named above Were presented to him by the Native Secretary.
At the close of the levee His Excellency embarked for Auckland, and the Chiefs reassembled in the Conference Hall to proceed with their business.
Mr. McLean introduced the business of day in the following speech:
Listen, Chiefs of the Conference! The Governor has now retired having left some important subjects for you to deliberate on. It is His Excellency's wish that you should to-day, and again on another day, take under consideration, and carefully examine the address which we have listened to this morning. Let each Chief freely and frankly express his sentiments that the Conference may be made acquainted with them. Let there be no reserve, or suppression, but let every one speak freely.
Thomas Walker Nene rose and said: Hearken, O ye people, hearken! This is a Council to discuss the affairs of the people. I have come forward first; but you are the head, so I leave the speaking for you. I shall afterwards express my sentiments that you may hear them—that all may know them, both Pakeha and Maori. I sit down.
Paora Tuhaere rose and said: Now listen ye people, listen! Listen both Pakehas and Maories. This property (the Pakeha) belongs to me; therefore, I say, let me have the first speech in this meeting. Hearken, all ye people, to my words! These were my words to the first Governor, to the second Governor, and to the third Governor: I want the Laws of England. Hearken, ye people, two things commend themselves to my mind—the Governor and the Queen. For thereby do we, both Pakeha and Maori, reap good. This is my speech. The best riches for us are the Laws of England. In my opinion, the greatest of all evils is war. But we are all in the wrong. When a Maori kills a Pakeha, the Pakeha says, Let us fight; and when a Pakeha kills a Maori, then the Maori says, Let us fight. For example—if I should be killed by a Pakeha, my tribe would say, Let us fight with the Pakeha; and on the other hand were I to kill a Pakeha, even though he be a slave, the Pakeha would demand me as payment. These are my words. I entertained the Pakeha a long time ago, and I found him good. Hence, I say, I shall always rememeber the Pakeha, and I shall always remember too, with affection, the Governor who was sent here to protect us. The benefits which we received from him are—Christianity and the Laws. Now, listen! My affections at the present time lie between these two blessings. Listen, again! My heart is satisfied. All that the Laws keeps from us is—Guns, Powder, and Brandy Another subject comes under my attention. It is the misunderstanding between the Pakeha and the Maori about land. The Pakeha has his mode of selling land, and the Maori has his mode. O people, hearken! The Pakeha came to New Zealand to protect the Maori.; As to the talk about Waitangi (treaty), that is Ngapuhi's affair.
Thomas Walker Nene then rose and said: O people, listen! These are my words in your hearing. I shall speak about the Governor,, and about the Pakehas. I am not accepting the Pakeha for myself alone, but for the whole of us. My desire when Governor Hobson arrived here was to take him as our Governor, in order that we might have his protection. Who knows the mind of the Americans, or that of the French? Therefore, I say, let us have the English to protct us. Therefore, my friends, do I say, let this Governor be our Governor, and this Queen our Queen. Let; us accept this Governor, as a Governor for the whole of us. Let me tell you, ye assembled tribes, I have but one Governor. Let this Governor be a King to us. Listen again, ye people! When the Governor came here, he brought with him the Word of God by which we live; and it is. through the teaching of that Word that we are able to meet together this day, under one roof. Therefore, I say, I know no Sovereign but the Queen, and I never shall know any other. I am walking by the side of the Pakeha. Mr. McLean, this is all I have to say. People of the Runanga, 1 have finished.
He was followed by Tukihaumene: People, people, salutations to you! For the first time the word is made manifest to me. I mean this Conference. I have nothing else to say at present. My choice lies with the Governor and the Queen. This is all I desire at this time. People of the Runanga do you consent to the Queen? [Assent from his tribe.]
Hemi Matini Te Nera then rose: Listen, ye people! My words date from the time of Governor Hobson. The Governor asked, "Will you be my friend? " I replied, "I will be your friend." These were my words to the first Governor, to the second Governor, to the third Governor, and to the fourth Governor. I made this pledge in the presence of the Governor. They (the Governors) brought good things to this Island. This is uniformly my saying at the Settlements, "I shall not join that evil (the Maori King Movement)." All I desire is, to live on terms of friendship with the Governor and Queen. Under the old law we perished; under the present law we live. Listen, then, ye people. We have assembled in this place, and it is good. Should you be willing to assemble again at another place, I consent. This work is good.
Rihari said: Listen, that I may tell the people my thoughts. Come together, my friends; you are welcome. Come and look after your goods that are being trampled upon. Here are the people that are being trampled upon. Now, let me say a word about the Maori. In former times he was poor; since the arrival of the Pakeha, he has become rich. The Gospel too has reached this Island. My God in the olden time was Ouenuku. I have a very different God now. I am grateful to the Pakeha for the following benefits, namely—Christianity, the Laws, and Good-will. I must speak of these good things; for since the arrival of a Governor, good has remained in the land. This is all I have to say.
Hamiora Tu said: Hearken, ye tribes. Hearken, ye Pakehas, Hearken, ye Chiefs! The first thing which absorbed my attention was Christianity. It was brought here by the Missionaries. Subsequently a Governor came, and good things began to flourish in New Zealand. Listen, ye people! One half of me (my affections) belongs to the Queen: the other half is still unsettled. But listen, people, to my sentiments. I desire to consider the Queen and the Governor my parents. He (the Governor) must suppress evil in whatever tribe it may be.
Te Makarini rose and said: I came to bring to this meeting the sentiments of my Chiefs. These are their words: Go to the Governor, and say to him, that the tribes are all true to the Queen. Another word of theirs was. Let there be peace. This is all.
Te Ratapu said: Listen, ye tribes that I may address you. Let me express my good thoughts respecting the Ministers and the Governor, for these are my parents. Friends, I have pledged myself. My first oath was before Mr. Halse (magistrate,) and my second before Mr. McLean in April last. Those were my oaths (of allegiance), and I now tell you of them.
Rangi rose and said: Waitaha is the place, and Waitaha the people. All I wish to [ unclear: see] is justice, peace, and quietness. This Will be our glory. Jesus Chist hath said—"Let evil be overcome of good." Another word. Let all things be conducted according to law, and under the Queen's rule. I shall sit under that rule. Enough.
Maihi said: Listen, ye people. Listen, Mr. McLean. I have two Kings—my soul and body, and I place my body under the shadow of the Queen's wings. I make this pledge in your presence—a pledge for ever. Let my words end here.
Metekingi said: I have come to the Governor to look after goods. An invitation brought me here. There is my King, the Pakeha.
Kopuparapara rose and said: Salutation to you, O people of the Runanga! I have only one word to say, Let us have ships, and let us have boats. I have nothing else to say. God shall be my King. This is all.
Kawana Paipai said: Mr. McLean, listen. I have only one word to you; it is this—love to the Pakeha.
Tamihana said: Men of this meeting, give ear! Listen, Mr. McLean. When I catch a young Koko (a bird), I teach him to talk, and he learns. In like manner, we have been taught by the Governor and you. Therefore, I say, the words we have heard this day are good. What I wish for is to see peace established. My words are at an end.
Ngatuere said: I shall speak truly. Listen, ye people. These are my words. In the beginning Missionaries came, also teachers. Thus Christianity came amongst us. It found its way to Wairarapa. The precepts of Christianity require that. I should abandon all my sins. Subsequently, we had land sales and leases. You (the Pakeha) came, as a father with good things which call forth our praise. Let me speak to you, Mr. McLean. I shall not interfere. Let Wi Kingi and the Governor settle their matter. I shall not consent to the speech of the Governor. I shall wait till I hear what the Runanga says. You know me, and you know the Wairarapa people. Let your measures with Wi Kingi be severe. Suppress that evil. My hands have never been red with Pakeha blood, Welcome, I cry, good laws!
Te Waaka said: I am an old man from Waikato. Here I am—a man free from evil desires. My children search out understanding. These are my words.
Karaitiana said: Listen, all ye people. Pakehas, the Governor's words are good. My heart says, the Pakeha and I are one, for I have not been concerned in the evil work. Let the Pakeha behave ill to me, then it will be time to retaliate.
Te Mutu said: This is my word, O people of the Runanga. I shall side with the Queen and the Governor. It was by your invitation, Mr. McLean, that I came here.
Tohi said: Call forth Mr. McLean, for the words of the Governor are good. Let the Queen be above all. I have nothing more to say.
[At this point of the proceedings, Mr. McLean rose and adjourned the Meeting till 10 a.m. on the following day, intimating that it was getting late, and that many members of the Runanga were suffering from Influenza. He requested that they would make the Governor's speech the subject of their evening's conversation, and come prepared on the following morning to express their opinions.]