Written Statement of Ngatitoa Chiefs.

"This is a statement making known how all this country was taken by us; Ngatitoa and Ngapuhi, first invaded the country, and killed numbers of the inhabitants, commencing with Ngatiruanui, then on as far as Wairarapa. We then saw what caused us to take and occupy this country. It was a ship sailing outside of Port Nicholson harbour. Waka Nene said, "Ngatitoa, here is your country." We Ngatitoa determined to take it, we returned to Kawhia, and came back again as far as the Kaweka, when Waikato followed, and came up with us at Motunui. Ngatiawa and Ngatitoa turned upon and defeated Waikato, after that these two tribes came into Ngatiruanui country, when Tamarere was murdered by Ngatiruanui. They came on to Waitotara, when Ngarauru murdered Hape, Ratutonu and Whatuatepo; when Ngatiapa heard that we were at Waitotara, they came to meet us on account of Pikinga, who was taken prisoner by Ngatitoa, on the first invasion of this country. We then came on to Wanganui, Wangaehu, Turakina, Rangitikei and Manawatu. These people had already made up their minds to destroy us. We came on as far as Waikawa. When Muaupoko heard, Waraki came to Ngatitoa. Then Waraki escorted Rauparaha, Poa, Rangihoungariri, Taiko, Rakaherea, Whataati, Poaka, Ahu, and Uira (a girl), to Papaetonga, where they were received in a house. Toheriri of Muaupoko was in the house with them, he left the party who were to murder them on the other side of the lake Papaetonga. In the night, they and Toheriri lay down to sleep. Toheriri called out to Paraha, "I thought you page xxxvi wore asleep." Paraha replied, "No, I am still awake." Immediately after that Toheriri and Paraha heard a rush, when Toheriri sprang out and Paraha also. The party of murderers then surrounded Paraha and his party, and killed all but Rauparaha and Rakaherea (a full account is here given), who came to the two tribes, they then rose, and when they came to Papaetonga the people had fled; they chased them to Horowhenua, where they took a Pa, killing only one, the others escaped in their canoes. We returned to Waikawa in the morning, the two tribes dragged their canoes to Hokia They then cut a canal and attacked the Pa by land and water, and killed two hundred; none escaped from these two pas, Waikiekie and Rohaatekawau. Those of Muaupoko on the islands escaped to the mountains. We then returned to Waikawa and came on to Waikanae and Wainui, where we killed forty of Muaupoko, Tipapa was their chief. We returned to Waikanae, then to Otaki in the morning, where we killed at Taranaki twenty of Muaupoko The chief killed was Rangatai, Tanguru escaped here. We then crossed over to Kapiti. We afterwards went to Manawatu, where we killed sixty. Tokopito Tamaraki, Pokahuawai, Tioi, Rangihukaroa were killed, Te Aweawe we made a slave. We returned to Kapiti, afterwards some crossed over to Waikanae when we took four prisoners at Ranakahia, Ratu was a chief. We returned to Kapiti, some of us crossed over to Waikanae to dig fern root, when we were attacked by night by the five tribes; twenty were killed, Tangahoe Painui, Paretuarangi, and Pohe were the chiefs killed we chased them as far as Horowhenua, where we killed sixty. Whawhama and Tarari were the chiefs; we came on to Waitawa, where we killed forty. Their chiefs were Kapua and Tumaihi, we killed them from morning till night. The chiefs alone were brought to Waikanae, where they were sacrificed to remove the tapu. Afterwards at Kapiti, we saw a ship at sea, when sixty pulled off in three canoes, and Pehi went on board, who then wished his friends good bye-saying, "go back, to Ngatitoa, and Ngatiawa, I have found the pounamu, the Pakeha, the treasure that I have been longing after;" Ngatitoa wept and returned to shore. After Pehi left us we crossed to Papanui, where we met with a fresh party, and returned to Kapiti to see the women and children. We remained three months, when we were attacked in the night by eleven tribes, Ngatiapa, Ngatitumatakokiri, Ngatikuia, Rangitane, from the Middle Island; Ngatikahungunu, from Awaiti; Ngatikahungunu from Wairarapa and the Coast; Muaupoko from Horowhenua; Rangitane from Manawatu; Ngatiapa from Rangitikei; by Wanganui, and Ngarauru from Waitotara. They attacked us in the night, finding only the houses, the men were at Waiorua; at daylight we rushed upon them in three divisions (here follows a long description of the battle). We defeated them, killing great numbers from both Islands. Two chiefs we saved for slaves. After this page xxxvii victory, we, the two tribes, crossed over to Rangitikei, and took Awamate, a Pa. killing Rangihauku and Hopeka, two chiefs. Hakeke, with the others, escaped to the mountains; we then went to Manawatu, and killed at Karekare 100; their chief killed was Patawai; we then crossed over to Kapiti. Hiko then said, "let Rimarapa be sent to Arapawa" (the Middle Island), but the other chiefs of Ngatitoa did not agree to this. We next went to Horowhenua, killing and eating (rikarikatia) the people there. We came to Waikanae, and paid another visit to Horowhenua, and killed some with Ahi, their chief. Don't, you the Pakeha think we overcame these tribes, and took their country with your guns; no, we did it with our own weapons.

This goes on from the time that Pehi returned from England, and other parties of Ngatiawa arrived, of those who had remained at home, who came down when they heard that Pehi had arrived at Kapiti with guns. When this party arrived at Manawatu, they killed the inhabitants, chasing them up the mountains. Rangihiwinui was the chief killed; when they reached Kapiti crossed over again to Rangitikei and took Pikitara, a pa.

After all this, Ngatiraukawa came to Kapiti. These two tribes were till killing the original inhabitants, and were determined not to let any of them live. Rauparaha and Ngatitoa gave all the country to Ngatiraukawa, Otaki, Huritini, Waikawa, Ohau; Papaetonga was left for Rangiheata; Horo-whenua was given to Whatanui; Manawatu, Rangitikei, Turakina, and Wangaehu. Ngatiraukawa then made peace with those people, with Muaupoko, Rangitane and Ngatiapa, and now for the first time they came down from the trees up the mountains; Muaupoko and Rangitane to Te Whatanui; Ngatiapa to Horomana Te Remi and Nepia Taratoa, and settled down among Ngatiraukawa. We then went and killed Takare, Paipai, and Rautakitaki, besides women and children, amongst the garments (weruweru) of Ngatiraukawa.

Friends, listen, this was the last of our killing. They were protected by Ngatiraukawa. Te Rauparaha would have destroyed them all, lest the weeds should spring up.

This is the end.