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An Epitome of Official Documents Relative to Native Affairs and Land Purchases in the North Island of New Zealand

Its Native History

Its Native History.

The country between Auckland and Whangarei was originally inhabited by a tribe called the Ngatirongo, a branch of the Kawerau, of whom Parihoro and Hemara are the remnants, who had from time immemorial waged fierce disputes with the Thames Natives relative to the right of fishing in the rivers of this district, which right was at last finally given up to the Ngatipaoas by the Ngatirongo, and such was the relative position of these tribes when the Bay of Islanders' invasion commenced. The Ngatirongo were exterminated with the exception of two or three small parties or families, who either fled before Hongi Hika, in common with the rest of the Natives, or, taking advantage of relationship with the Bay of Islanders, amalgamated themselves with the conquerors. Among the former is the present claimant Reweti, and to the latter belongs Hemara, who took refuge with Pomare, and Parihoro, who took refuge at Whangarei. At length the Bay of Islanders in their turn were driven back by the Waikato and Thames Natives, and, the Mahurangi tribe having been exterminated, the Thames Natives, who, as before stated, had acquired the right to the bays and rivers (there being none to contend with them), now took the land also, and on the arrival of Her Majesty's Government at Auckland, they sold their claims to the whole block.

The accompanying plan will show the extent of the claims of the Ngatirongo compared with the rest of the block, in which two distinct parties and interests exist. Hemara and party, who merely wish a large reserve to live on, and Parihoro, who urges extravagant claims on a large portion of the block.