How Many Maoris Lived At Murikauhaka.

Although all the travellers round about the 1844 period refer to very large Maori populations that had disappeared, we have little reliable evidence. The statements that there were thousands in those old southern villages cannot be accepted.

Food supply determines how many people could live in a district, and it is natural that the Polynesian would congregate in the warmer climates of the North Island where the kumara would grow. South of Temuka the kumara could not grow. Life was harder in the south.

Cook saw only fires—he did not see the village. The first real evidence we have is from Morrell. Fifty natives went out to see his ship. There is room in the houses for 200 or 300 people. It is more likely that 200 would be the maximum in the village at that time. The new whaling centres were beginning to disturb all the old Maori settlements. The threats of Rauparaha forced people to strongholds like Otakou and Ruapuke. Then came the measles.

In 1840 Willsher and his party finds a remnant of half a dozen.