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

Ngapuhi District

Ngapuhi District.

For instance, in the northern district, inhabited by the Ngapuhi generally, there are at least one hundred hapu, or small tribes, embracing a population of about 20,000 souls resident in the country lying between the North Cape and Bream Head. Now, assuming the quantity of land contained within these limits to be about 5,000 square miles, we cannot average more than 1,500 as available for agriculture. This computation, if correct, would give about 15 square miles, or 10,000 acres of available land for each hapu, and as they require a large piece, independent of then cultivations, for pig runs, it would leave but a small block of desirable land eligible for disposal to Government, and as their independence is only to be maintained by holding possession of their land, think it would not only be difficult, but very injurious to them to purchase large blocks of country, even if offered.

They can dispose of small portions of land without embroiling themselves with their neighbours, and with manifest advantage, but in attempting to dispose of large tracts of land they are certain either to injure themselves or to come into collision with others.