Maori Deeds of Land Purchases in the North Island of New Zealand: Volume One

Translation

Translation.

1854. 25 January. Aotea.

This Deed

written on the twenty fifth day of January in the year of Our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty four, is a consent given on the part of some of the Native Chiefs of Aotea, as also of the Queen of England.

Te Kowhatu.

Now we, Aperahama Te Karu, Hakopa Te Matera, Hoani Te Apa, Tirua Paora, Wiremu Tauira, Pehimana Taharangi, Herietara Paihua, Hakopa Arakari, Te Watarauihi, Pingareka Te Haratua, Watikini Te Awarua, Hohua Mouhaere, Hemi Tamaki, Kerapa Kiore, Tamati Waka Te Mumura, Hohepa Te Poria.

Now these Persons having given their consent vizt. Aperahama te Karu, Hakopa Te Matera, Hoani te Apa, Tirua Paora, Wiremu Tauira, Pehimana Taharangi, Herietara Paihua, Hakopa Arakari, Te Watarauihi, Pingareka Te Haratua, Watikini te Awarua, Hohua Mouhaere, Hemi Tamaki, Kerapa Kiore, Tamati Waka te Mumura, Hohepa te Poria to give up without payment or consideration, these lands to Queen Victoria and to the Governor, to be by the Governor transferred to Mr. Lawry the Senior Minister of the Wesleyan Church now residing at Auckland in perpetuity and to the Senior Wesleyan Ministers who may succeed him for the Wesleyan Church and for the use of a Christian School for ever and ever as land upon which to build a School, and as a means of support for a School for the education of our Children, that is to say for the Children of Aotea, belonging to each and the several Tribes, the European children, the Native children and the half caste children that they may improve and grow up well that they may grow up together in the knowledge of the faith of Christ and in acquaintance with the good customs of the Europeans.

Now it is agreed that no payment shall be received for this land—the consideration or condition is the instruction to be derived from the Schools, and the advancement of religion, and in token thereof we have hereunto signed our names on this day, the twenty fifth day of January in the year of Our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty four.