Wars of the Mataatua and Arawa Tribes.

Friend ! We will own go forth and look upon the lands of the ancient Marangaranga, and I will point out to you the battle-grounds where our forefathers defeated the multitudes of Hacaua and Raepohatu. But do not carry that bag of money with you, nor yet your pipe, nor yet any food. And do not tell your pakeha friends that I have shown to you the mauri of Rangitaiki, or they may come and interfere with it and destroy its virtues and then wo shall no longer catch any fish in that river. Then I will point out to you where we fought the Tuhoe at Oputara and we will look upon the defences of that ancient fort.

And in the spot whore the sun shines so brightly upon us, and in the sight of Putauaki and Tarawera and Tawhi- page 24 uau and Pekepeke and Kakarahunui—those great mountains that saw the deeds of our ancestors—I will tell you of the wars of old, and the customs of our forefathers. You shall see the abode of Ngarangihangu, that dread taniwha of old; and of Te Turi-o-Hine-nga-wari, the tupua of Wai-irohia; and of Hine-i-wharona at Te Puta-kotare who is the patron demon of eels; and those which bear her mark, which is a stripe or band, are sacred eels, and must not be cooked and eaten in an ordinary manner or evil will surely come upon the people.

Friend! Some men in this world possess wisdom and some do not. There are many, very many pakehas, who despise and laugh at our ancient knowledge, and truly is that knowledge a hidden thing from such men. But you who possess the kura-huna of Tainui and of Takitimu, and I who know the history of Mataatua—we will talk together of the days of old, and you shall hear of our arrival in this land twenty long generations ago. And of the people whom we found here—and of those things that are troubling you—the rua-kohn and umukaha and wbakaparu-wahine and many others. And you shall make a book, even a large book of these things. And that book shall remain for our descendants to gather knowledge from, even in the days to come.

Such were the words of an aged friend of mine on the occasion of his last visit to me, when he gave me many valuable genealogies and traditions of the men of Mataatua. It is to his keen interest in such things that I owe much of the matter herein given, but I regret to say that he has left the World of Light and has gone to join the men of old of whom he ioved to talk, May his lines [unclear: le] cast in pleasant places in the Concealed Land of Tane. And his last words to me were these :—

O Son ! Be strong to endure. Think not of the world of to-day for it [unclear: l] of evil. Rather let your [unclear: thought] to the rescue of our ancestors [unclear: d] oblivion, that all men may [unclear: ko] their great deeds, Listen! [unclear: It] who taught you the old [unclear: proverd] mate he tete kura, ka ora he [unclear: tern] E Tauia! Who indeed is there [unclear: b] my place ? No ! They have [unclear: ali] before, and now 1 too am [unclear: goin] noho! Remain hi this world, [unclear: O] Remain in peace.

So this old warrior passed [unclear: s] from the Great White Worid for Haerara E koro E! Mou te [unclear: d] moku te tai po!

The First Taking of [unclear: Oputake]

This [unclear: tells] of the old battlel-[unclear: g] of Tuhoe and Ngati-Apain [unclear: the] of old. The cause of the [unclear: war] the killing of Tahaki-a-nina [unclear: of] by Ngatimanawa at [unclear: Ruatahuna] affceied Whakarotu, the wife of [unclear: T] and she sent for Te Arohana [unclear: and] tonga of Tuhoe to avenge [unclear: the] of her husband. They [unclear: agreed] then arose Tuhoe and came to [unclear: T] whakntaratara by the old [unclear: war] from Ruatahuna to [unclear: Whirinaki] looking down from that great! [unclear: b] behold the broad valley of [unclear: Rang] and the smoke arising from the [unclear: f] the enemy, the descendants of [unclear: T] rakau and of Manawa-uha, of [unclear: W] pakau, and Apa koki. And of [unclear: T] haruru of old, who, with the [unclear: en] Apa slew the original people [unclear: of] land. Then Tuboe passed [unclear: s] down the narrow ridge that-[unclear: i] Tauaroa and Kokotahi, which [unclear: r] known to us as Te Pewa-a-Te-[unclear: W] he. For when the chief Te [unclear: W] saw the fierce war-party rushing [unclear: w] he uttered this saying:-Kia taku pewa, waiho tonu iho hei [unclear: i] mo taua wahi ko Te [unclear: Pew] Winirehe,

Thus the taua descended and rived at Oputara, the pa of [unclear: N] Manawa and Ngati-Apa. [unclear: The] page 25 [unclear: ht] began, as Tuhoe assailed the men [unclear: Whirinaki,] entrenched in their [unclear: rong] fort, in Oputara. For two days [unclear: a] battle raged and then the pa fell, [unclear: boe] had gained the victory and the [unclear: ef] taken was Hape-horomarama of [unclear: rati] Manawa, from which ancestor [unclear: nes] the Ngati Hape-He was the [unclear: ef] of those people and lie was killed [unclear: the] Tuhoe and his body thrown [unclear: over] [unclear: cliff,] that steep cliff yonder, [unclear: oppo-] Te Puta-Kotare. And Tuhoe [unclear: re-] [unclear: ed] to Ruatahuna.

Then the thought came to Ngati-[unclear: pa]. They would avenge [unclear: (ranaki)] death of Hape and call upon [unclear: ati]-Hine-uru to help them. Thus [unclear: y] went forth to give battle to the [unclear: n] of Tuhoe and they killed Tutonga [unclear: ed] his son Tamakero and cut off their [unclear: ads] which they placed in a [unclear: basket] carried off with them. And the [unclear: ivors] of Tuhoe fled to Karioi which [unclear: o] the largest pa at Ruatahuna. [unclear: l] the tribe to which that pa be-[unclear: ged] was known as Te Hokowhitu-[unclear: ira]-o-Komairira, which is a [unclear: divi-] of Tuhoe. And the survivors [unclear: d,] "Tutongra and Tamakere have [unclear: en] killed by Ngati-Apa." The [unclear: kowhitu]-pakira asked, " Where [unclear: e] they killed?" The survivors said, They wore killed inland of Whaka [unclear: re."] Then arose the Hokowhitu-[unclear: iara] and came near to the invaders. [unclear: old!] Those lifeless heads spake [unclear: m] to another saving, "A heahea"? To which the other replied, [unclear: ka] tata, ka tata." Then cried head [unclear: e] bore them, "These heads are speaking one with another." [unclear: e] chief of the party asked "Of [unclear: t] manner is their speech?" [unclear: The] says, "A heahea ano?" To which [unclear: h] ether replies, "Ka tata, ka tata." [unclear: Bring] the heads to me," said the [unclear: Her], "I wish them to be cast away." [unclear: l] the chief gave an order that [unclear: e] strange heads should be thrown [unclear: y."] And even as they were cast [unclear: e] the Hokowhitu-pakira were upon them, and then came a great struggle between Tuhoe and Ngati-Apa, and the fight was long and fierce, and many fell. But the Children of Apa were defeated and lost the chiefs Hape-nui, Poutapu, Tautara, Te Karaka and others. Then war became constant against Ngati-Apa and Ngati-Manawa, even unto the second fall of Oputara on account of the death of Tapoa, and to Te Haumingi, and to Matuatahi, and to Okarea and to Ariki-rau. And some were battlegrounds and some were forts which fell. Such were the works of old, and if the Whakapono (the Gospel) had not interfered who may say what might have been.

Here follows the descent from Tutonga—Tumanawapohatu, Tauaiti, Te Whakakaha Rangmhua, Raropua, Tamaitaranui, Tarei, To Ua-a terangi, Te Hurinui. And from Tamakere—Te Paana, Tamakere ir, Toro-paenga, To Hon, Rangiaukume, Kume, Te Hou II.

Expedition Of Tukohehu against Tuhoe of Ruatahuna.—Wars of Tuhoe, Waikato, Te Arawa and Ngati-Tu-Wharetoa.

This is the story of the coming of Tukorehu and his tribe (Waikato) to Ruatahuna. On arriving at Taupo they were joined by some of the Ngati-Tuwharetoa and Te Arawa tribes. Then they came on to Te Whaiti-nui a Toi which place they found deserted. The reason of the absence of those people was the report of the advance of Tukorehu and his ope, for it was a man-ating expedition. Thus Tukotehu arrived at Te Whaiti. He enquired, " Where are the people of this place?" His men replied, "They have tied to the forest, for where indeed may they hide from Waikato taniwha-rau." the chief asked, "Where indeed is the valour of this people?" His tribe replied, "Where indeed? when the dread of Waikato is upon them." Thus ended page 26 the sayings of Waikato, in regard to the people of Te Whaiti, the meaning of which was a jeering at them for flying to the forest. Enough ! Tukorehn and his war-party went on to Ruatahuna, to Te Tahora, and to the pa called Taumata-o-te-riu. The men of Tuhoe did not have time to collect and enter the pa and when the war-party surrounded it most of the occupants were women. Then Waikato assaulted the pa which fell and the people thereof fled at night to collect their tribe. At daybreak four hundred twice told of the Tuhoe (Urewera) had collected. To Wharekotua was in favour of attacking the enemy at once. Koroki said, "Wait! Let the hundreds of Tuhoe be assembled (rukuruku) in one spot, that our women and children may see how we shall hold our lands." The Tuhoe chiefs assented to this and called their warriors together, for the numbeis [unclear: o] Waikato and Te Araw a and NgatiTuwharetoa were twice eight hundred fighting men. For two days did the Urewera marshal their forces and then they gave battle to Waikato. The fighting was fierce and ceaseless, for Tuhoe fought to retain their ancestral lands and the invaders to uphold their mana end to avoid annihil ation. Te Tiroa, a Waikato chief, was killed and his [unclear: tnbte] gave way and fled, pursued by Tuhoe. Te Umuariki the leading war-chief of Tuhoe cried, "Whose army is this?" And Tai-hakoa of Npati-Tuwharetoa replied, "It is I. Tai-hakoa. Why do you ask ?" Te Umu-ariki said, "Go! When the morning light comes I will Ve with you." Then the Waikato re treated and the Tuhoe chiefs consulted among themselves. Te [unclear: Umuariki] said, "Let the footsteps of Tai-hakoa be trodden upon (i.e. let us pursue him) as payment for his trampling upon our mana (authority, influence). The warriors of Tuhoe agreed to pursue the taua (war-party) and 170 men twice told set forth. Their [unclear: leades] Uhia, his atua (god or oracle) [unclear: w] Rehu-o-Tainui which was a [unclear: h] god. Uhia was a tohunga [unclear: M] (native priest) and he was the [unclear: me] of Te Eehu-o-Tainui. This [unclear: god] the oracle by which its medium [unclear: (w] could foretell good or evil [unclear: fortune] his tribe. Sometimes Te [unclear: bel] Tainui concealed itself in a [unclear: h] (native oven) and it was not [unclear: a] injured by the heat thereof, [unclear: and] food around it did not become [unclear: e] but remained in an [unclear: uncooked] and quite cool. This was said [unclear: to] bad omen.

And sometimes it appeared [unclear: in] hand of its medium and [unclear: re] there, putting its tongue out [unclear: fr] to tide. This was said to be [unclear: a] omen.

But it was only the aria ([unclear: lik] of this atua that was seen by [unclear: or] men, the real body of the [unclear: atu] only feen by its waka or [unclear: medium] tohunga Te Uhia

So Tuhoe marched [unclear: forth] the war-path, even until they [unclear: re] the Sea of Taupo. On arriving [unclear: t] Uhia said to his people. [unclear: "List] Tuhoe! If the men of [unclear: Tuwb] should offer to fight this day, [unclear: do] content until I have found the [unclear: n] seek, then may you give [unclear: battle.] sign by which I shall know that [unclear: that] is the red cloak that he wears. [unclear: The] eneny attack, do not [unclear: move;] until I call to you, however [unclear: eag] may be." Thus ended the [unclear: we] Uhia.

Ngati Tuwharetoa advanced na,^* the encampment of Tuhoe they had entrenched [unclear: themselve.] two davs the Ngai-Tuhoe [unclear: ref] fight. On the third day warrior priest cried, "Now at [unclear: les] you fight!" As Uhia [unclear: spake] page 27 [unclear: rds,] the man he sought was seen approaching in a canoe. Again Uhia [unclear: iled] to his tribe:—" There is my [unclear: an.] At last, O Tuhoe! may you [unclear: ht."] As the canoe reached the [unclear: re] the Tuhoe rushed down and [unclear: w] the man. Then they attacked [unclear: e] main body of Ngati-Tuwharetoa [unclear: ad] defeated them on that field of [unclear: ttle] He, the name of which is hrona, [unclear: ad] the pa captured was Te Totar. [unclear: nen] the fighting ceasel and the [unclear: fs] of Tuhoe said one to another [unclear: ka] ea te kanohi kitea ? Tai-hakoa [unclear: roto] o Ruatahuna."

There was another tribe, the Wara-[unclear: e,] vho were at war with Ngati-Tua. These Warahoe had been [unclear: eu] from Rangitaiki by Ngati Awa [unclear: ad] the survivors fled to Taupo. [unclear: se] were the people who fougnt [unclear: th] the Ngati-Tuwharetoa, but they [unclear: re] destroyed and the bodies of some them were packed in baskets. This [unclear: es] the reason of one of those people [unclear: ving] the name of Kohi-kete. Thus [unclear: ed] intentions of Tuhoe in re-[unclear: d] to Taupo.

Then they turned to the Arawa. They sought for an excuse to attack [unclear: fe] Arawa and foun lit. Te Rangi-[unclear: a-tukua] had assisted in the raid on [unclear: tahuaa] Enough ! Lest it be a [unclear: at] of his descendants that he had [unclear: red] the Tuhoe in their mountain [unclear: ue!] Then Tuhoe marched for the [unclear: d] of the Arawa. Uhia the tohunga not as a commander of the war [unclear: ty] for for all had seen the wisdom of [unclear: n] couusel or I or rather that of his atue, [unclear: Te] Rehu-o-Tainui. Hence the [unclear: ul] priest was chosen as leader and [unclear: en] the chiefs were silent in council. [unclear: The] Ngati-Tuhoe went forth to [unclear: r] They arrived at Puko-kai-kaa-[unclear: at] Lake Rere-whakaitu. On ar-[unclear: ing] there Uhia stood forth and _[unclear: muned] with his god (atua), Te [unclear: hu]-o-Tainui. And the oracle spake [unclear: o] Uhia saying: Kia kaha ki to [unclear: kau!"] That was all said by the Maori atua, Te Rehu-o-Tainui. Then Uhia explained these words to his tribe and the chiefs of Tuhoe, saying, " Listen, 0 Tuhoe! The strife will be here. To-morrow at early dawn let five tens, twice told, go forth. Should they not be pursued, it will be well. Should they bo pursued that also is well.. But my thought is that we shali battle here, even on this spot. Behold! I thrust my sacred staff (turupou) deep into the soil and hang ou that staff my girdle." Then Uhia male clear to then the meaning of the suspended girdle as representing Te Arawa lying on the field of battle, but the warriors paid no great attention for they were eager for the fray. At break of day the fifty twice told of Tuhoe set forth to challenge the Arawa to fight. They found them at Te Ariki pa at Lake Tarawera. When the Arawa observed the party of Tuhoe they pursued them. Te Tokai of Tuhoe cried to Tionga of Ngati-Rangitihi, "Tionga E! Takamua, takainuri." And Tionga replied:—"Hoatu, hoatu, kia penei ake te upoko e mauria ana mat e ahau hei poito mo taku kupenga."

And the warriors of the Arawa rose to pursue Tuhoe, but the Tuhoe lured them on that they might give battle on the spot selected by Uhia and Te Waha-kai-kapua with the best fighting men of the Arawa pursued the hundred of Tuhoe even unto the place where the sacred staff, the emblem of Te Rehu-o-Tainui, the first atua of Te Urewera, had been erected. Then Tuhoe turned. The mataika (first slain) of that battle was Te Waha-kai-kapua of the Arawa, then fell Tionga and then Te Rangi katukua, and then Te Hurimui and also others. The Arawa were defeated and that battle-ground received the name of Puke-kai-kaahu. Then Tuhoe returned to Ruatahuna, and the widows of the Arawa slain composed a most bitter kaioraora against the man- page 28 slaying warriors of Te Urewera.

And then Hine-i-turaMa the widow of the slain Hurinui of Te Arawa was overcome with grief on account of the death of her husband whose head had been cut off and carried far away to Ruatahuna by the Ngati-Tuhoe. And a great desire came upon Hine to look upon the head of Hurinui and she disclosed this desire to the men of her tribe. And the Arawa consented to escort her to Ruatahuna that her desire might be gratified. On arriving at Ruatahuna the Tuhoe assembled to view their visitors. Now all the heads of the slain Arawa had been taken by Tuhoe to Ruatahuna. Hine-i-turama called unto Rnngi-pa of Tuhoe. "Is the head of Hurinui with you ?" And it was there. So Hine cried to them to bring to her the head of her husband that She might wail over it. And Rangi-pa took a cloak and wrapping the head in it ho carried it over to tho encampment of the Arawa. Hine said "Plaeeitupon the turuturu." (a stake on which heads of the slain were placed). Rangi-pa did so and uncovered the head. Then the Arawa girded themselves and performed the haka of Hine i-turama. Eight hun-dred Arawa warriors took part in the haka, the very earth trembled. Tuhoe said " He whatitiri ki te rangi, ko te Arawa ki to whenua." (The noise of the Arawa on earth is like unto the thunder of heaven.) When the haka was over peace was restored between the tribes and the Arawa rose to depart to their homes. As they started Hape, the priest of the Arawa, kindled with his own hands a fire, as a ta wha-kataumata. As the fire burned, the smoke rolled down across the trail by which the Arawa were about to depart. The assembly of Tuhoe gazed in silence at this work of the oracle, and 800 fighting men of Te Arawa awaited the decision of the 'waka' of their god Makawe. Then the tohunga, Hape, arose and said "Ko te riri kei mua i a tatou :" Listen, 0 Tribe! War [unclear: lines] fore us, even on our path by [unclear: w] we go." And each man [unclear: speedliy] pared himself and repeated [unclear: the] (invocation) over his weapon, [unclear: that] spear might serve him well in [unclear: the] which all knew was soon to [unclear: come] had not the gods so declared [unclear: it] the Arawa departed.

Soon after the departure of [unclear: Te] wa for their distant homes, the [unclear: Te] kai-moana hapu of [unclear: Maunga] arrived at Ruatahuna. And [unclear: the] of Tama-kai-moana were [unclear: ang] peace being made. But the [unclear: che] Ruatahuna said, " Do not [unclear: pun] Arawa for peace is made firm. [unclear: Se] you trample upon this peace-[unclear: mak] you will be delivered into the [unclear: b] of the Arawa." So said [unclear: the] Ruatahuna, the men of [unclear: Ngai] and of Romairira. Then [unclear: repl] chiefs of Maungapohatu "[unclear: W] not remain here, wo will attack [unclear: th] wa." The Ruatahuna [unclear: chief] "Begone !" And the Tama-[unclear: kai] went. So they travelled on [unclear: and] took the Arawa at Te, [unclear: Wha] Mawake. Then the two [unclear: tribe] and the Tama-kai-moana [unclear: fell] battle-field. And the oracle of [unclear: t] the Arawa tohunga, given at [unclear: t] dling of the sacred fire, was [unclear: ful] "Ko te riri kei mua i a tatou" [unclear: T] The word of the priest was [unclear: ful] War lay across their path [unclear: and] kni-moana had fallen on the [unclear: fiel] battle.

Thus ended tho wars [unclear: aga] Arawa, and the war-axe was [unclear: ba] at Ruke-kai-kaabu as it [unclear: had] buried at Opepe.

And Tionga had Mabora, [unclear: who] Moko, who had Te Kuru, [unclear: who] Arama Karaka, who had [unclear: Nga-] kaki, who had Heana.

And Te Hurinui had [unclear: Te] puawhi, who had Te Keepa [unclear: Te] nui, who had Maika.

And Te Rangi-pa had [unclear: Te] who had Tama-i-kowha, [unclear: who] page 29 [unclear: itahi], who had Miria.

[unclear: And] Uhia had Mereki, who had Te[unclear: -o-]Tiopera, who had Mahirata, [unclear: had] Uhia II.

[unclear: But] Te Whare-kotua had no issue, [unclear: high] other families have taken the [unclear: ne.]