184 years ago, in early April 1840, Henry Williams arrived at Te Whanganui-a-Tara aboard the Ariel with sheet 8 of Te Tiriti to be signed by mana whenua. It took him 10 days to convince 34 Rangatira at ‘Port Nicholson’ to add their marks/signatures to the document.
Here are listed eight of the Rangatira and signatories who resided at Pipitea Pā: Te Rira Porutu, Tamati Te Matoha (Napuna), Wi Kingi Wairarapa, Te Ropiha Moturoa, Takata Ingo, Hohepa Kopiri, Reihana Reweti/Te Kamo, Te Kahu/Hone Te Iwikau/Matoha).
Te Wharepouri and Rawiri Matangi resided at Ngauranga; Ngatata-i-te-rangi at Kumutoto; Taringakuri, Te Whakakeko, Hore Pakihi – probably at Kaiwharawhara; Honiana Te Puni, Kopeka (Te Puni’s uncle), Rerewha-i-te-rangi (father of Honiana Te Puni), Pamariki Paaka at Pito One; Te Puakawe and Hirini Te Tute at Waiwhetū.
Eight or more local Rangatira eventually signed Sheet no. 8 at Queen Charlotte Sound and Manawatū. Te Manu Toheroa and Tu-te-rangi-pouri of Queen Charlotte Sound had close whānau links to Pipitea and Waiwhetū and Ngakirikiri was also closely associated with Waiwhetū Pā.
Wi Hape Pakau (Pipitea and Waiwhetū) signed the sheet at Manawatū.
Continue reading “Te Tiriti: Te Whanganui-a-Tara, 29 April 1840”