The Long-burning Fire.

An expression often heard from the old Maoris when the history of their land was discussed, as in the Native Land Court, was the “ahi-ka-roa,” meaning the long-burning fires of occupation. A tribe, although temporarily defeated in war, could not be claimed to have been conquered and dispossessed if its members contrived to keep the home fires burning here and there. “My fires of occupation have always burned on this land,” was a statement that constantly occurs in the evidence given when establishing land claims.

There is a story of Te Heuheu Tukino, the Taupo chief who made a deed of gift to the State of the mountain tops in what is now the Tongariro National Park. In the Eighties his tribal rights to certain lands in the heart of the island were challenged by a Wanganui chief, Kepa Rangihiwinui, generally called Major Kemp by the pakeha. This was at a sitting of the Land Court at Taupo. Te Heuheu, fuming like one of his ancient volcanoes with indignation, asked Kepa to indicate when his fires of occupation were burning. All that Kepa could say in reply was that his tribe had made a successful raid on South Taupo in the ancient days.

Te Heuheu thereupon said: “You have no fires on this land, you could not keep them burning. As for me, my fires have continually burned ever since my ancestors came to this country. Look yonder!“—and the old chief pointed to the distant smoking cone of Ngauruhoe, which was visible through the courthouse window. “Yonder is my ahi-ka-roa! It has burned ever since my ancestor Ngatoroi-rangi and his gods kindled it there long ago.”

And that was conclusive. Kepa's claim was not sustained. He could not prevail over the fire of the gods.