Open/Close Toolbox
Item Type: Henare Matua Collection
Linked To
Mai I Te Wāhi | PlaceKi Te Tangata | To
Menu
Expand/collapse
Taipitopito | Details
Tau Tohutoro | Reference NoHM00508Rā | Date1873/08/07Mai I Te Wāhi | PlaceWaipukurauMai I Te Tangata | FromH. N. Te AroatuaKi Te Tangata | ToHenare MatuaNgā Tāngata | Names in letter ApataKaraitianaNikoraHirakaRataTamatiKahukuraHemiKaupapa | SubjectWhakatau Take; GrievanceReta; Correspondence
Tūhonotanga | Related
Wāhi | PlaceWaipukurauTakapauWaipawaKahukuraKaikanohiPatangataKohikohinga | CollectionTuhinga ā-ringaIwiNgai TahuHapūNgati MatekatoNgati Marau
Tu-hinga / Whakamāoritanga | Transcript / Translation
Tu-hinga | TranscriptTranscript: Waipukurau
Akuhata 7 1873
Kia Henare Matua. E hoa tena koutou ko taina me o matua tenei te kupu korero o muri nei i te 18 o nga ra o Hurae ka whiua e Apata ona kau ki te Takapau noho ai i runga i te kii a Karaitiana kia noho ona kau ki reira. Whiua nei e Apata ona kau i te 26 o nga ra ka tutaki ki te taone nei ia Nikora raua ko Hiraka, a Rata raua ko Apata, ko a au hoki kua tae mai i te tuatahi kia Rata raua ko Henare Rata kii atu ai kia whai ritenga raua mo aua kau kia whakahokia mai i tena reta tuatahi i whakaatutia atu na e Tamati kia koutou ko Matua i te tutakitanga kia Hiraka raua ko te taina i te 26 o nga ra o Hurae ra ka kiia mai e Rata te kupu kua whakaae Apata kia whakahokia mai ona kau i tua o te Ratapu ka kiia atu e ra e pai ana kia whiua mai e Apata ona kau ki Waipawa ka noho a Nikora ki o Kahukura parau ai i te 2 o nga ra o Akuhata ka tae atu Apata ki o Kahukura ka puta atu te kupu a Hiraka kia Apatu kei whea rawa koe ka whiu ai i o kau ka whakahokia
Page 2:
mai e Apata kaore ia e whiu i ona kau ka kiia atu ano e Hiraka me whiu e koe o kau ki te kore koe e whiu i o kau ka whiua e a au ki te pauna i Te Waipukurau ka utua mai e Apata me haere koe kia Karaitiana korero ai ka kii atu a Hiraka e hara i te kainga no Karaitiana tenei kainga. E mohio ai a au ki te korero kia korua ko Karaitiana, ka haere taua pakeha kia Hemi ratou ko ana taina korero ai i ta raua korero, ko Hiraka ka utua e Hemi kaua o kau e whiua kati tonu i kona noho ai ki te whiua e ia ena kau ki te pauna ko au kei te keti e tu ana ina toku whakatauki to te maori, he tangi to te tamariki, he whakama to te kaumatua, kua rongo a Hiraka i taua kupu a Ngai Tahu i te mane i te 4 o nga ra o Akuhata ka kiia e ia te kupu ki Ngati Matekato me noho katoa koutou ko matau anake ko aku taina e haere ki te whakarite i te kupu tangi moku ka haere ratau ko nga taina kei te whiua ki waho o te taiepa ka kite a Ngai Tahu ka eke ki te whakahoki i ona kau ka whakapikia e Ngati Marau a Hiraka ratau ko ana taina he tohu ta Ngai Tahu kia riro ia ia nga kau he tohe hoki ta era me Ngati Marau kia
Page 3:
riro i era nga kau ki waho o te taiepa riro ana ia Hiraka ratou ko ana taina me Ngati Marau nga kau ki waho o te taiepa whiua tonutia ki Kaikanohi tu ai nga kau wahi iti nei kua kino rawa no te 5 o nga ra ka whakaatu tia mai kia maua ko Tamati ki Patangata ka kite iho maua i nga whakaatu mai a Ngati Marau, a Ngati Matiakato hoki e kii ake ana kei ta ratou whiunga mai ki Te Waipukurau i nga kau te tino ka piti ai ratau te mau ai tetahi ki te pu me tetahi ka tukua atu ta matau kupu kia kaua e whakamanaia nga kupu whawhai a Ngai Tahu heoi ano he whakaaro atu ma muri nei ko koutou ko matua me o tainaheoi kia tae mai ki te kainga nei. Erangi me kii mai ratou kia Apata kia tikina atu ona kau ma ratou ko ana Maori ano e whakahoki ki te Takapau noho ai aua kau e pai ana kaua ratou hei aha atu waiho ma te ture e ata matakitaki i te 7 o nga ra nei ka haere Apata ki te tiki i ona kau ki te whakahoki rawa mai i ona kau ki Waipawa nei kei te taenga atu pea ki ona maori te whakahokia ai ano ki Te Takapau noho ai nga kau heoi te kupu e kore e taea te whakatepe atu tenei raru raru nui
H. N. Te Aroatua.Whakamāoritanga | TranslationWaipukurau
August 7, 1873
To Henare Matua. Friend, greetings to you, your younger relations and your elders. This is the news that followed. On July 18, Apata drove his cattle to Takapau to pasture there, based on Karaitiana's permission. On July 26, several discussions took place. Nikora and Hiraka met with Rata and Apata in town. I had previously met with Rata and Henare. Rata spoke about finding a resolution regarding those cattle. During these meetings, Tamati showed you and Matua a letter about the situation. Rata reported that Apata had agreed to move his cattle after Sunday, suggesting they should be driven to Waipawa. During this period, Nikora stayed at Kahukura's place ploughing. On August 2, Apata visited Kahukura's place where Hiraka confronted him, asking, "Where are you going to drive your cattle?"
Page 2:
When Apata refused to move his cattle, Hiraka threatened, "If you don't drive your cattle, I will take those nearby cattle to the pound at Waipukurau." Apata told Hiraka to speak with Karaitiana, but Hiraka retorted, "This is not Karaitiana's land. I know how to speak to both you and Karaitiana." Following this confrontation, that Pakeha went to discuss the dispute with Hemi and his brothers. Hemi responded to Apata, saying, "Don't move your cattle; let them stay where they are. If he tries to take the cattle to the pound, I will be standing at the gate." There is the Maori proverb that goes, The child cries and fusses, the elder is embarrassed - noting how Apata complains like a child while even Hemi's confrontational response lacks the wisdom expected of elders. Hiraka heard what Ngai Tahu had said. On Monday, August 4, he instructed Ngati Matekato, "All of you stay behind. Only I and my younger brothers will address this grievance." When Hiraka and his brothers arrived, they found cattle being driven outside the fence by Ngai Tahu. When Ngai Tahu saw Hiraka's group, they mounted to retrieve the cattle, claiming ownership. Ngati Marau supported Hiraka against Ngai Tahu.
Page 3:
The confrontation ended with Hiraka, his brothers, and Ngati Marau taking the cattle and driving them to Kaikanohi, where they remain in a small paddock. The situation has seriously deteriorated. On August 5, Tamati and I were informed of these events at Patangata. We learned that the situation had nearly turned violent, with someone brandishing a gun. We sent word that Ngai Tahu's threats should be given no weight. However, on second thoughts, you and Matua and your siblings should come here to the settlement. But they should inform Apata to fetch his cows and take them back to Takapau, and that the cows settling there will be fine. And they should not do anything else; leave it for the law to carefully examine. Today, August 7, Apata went to fetch his cattle to bring them to Waipawa. Perhaps when he meets with his Maori, they will agree to return the cattle to Takapau again. That is all I can report. It is not possible to bring this great trouble to a conclusion yet.
H. N. Te Aroatua
Akuhata 7 1873
Kia Henare Matua. E hoa tena koutou ko taina me o matua tenei te kupu korero o muri nei i te 18 o nga ra o Hurae ka whiua e Apata ona kau ki te Takapau noho ai i runga i te kii a Karaitiana kia noho ona kau ki reira. Whiua nei e Apata ona kau i te 26 o nga ra ka tutaki ki te taone nei ia Nikora raua ko Hiraka, a Rata raua ko Apata, ko a au hoki kua tae mai i te tuatahi kia Rata raua ko Henare Rata kii atu ai kia whai ritenga raua mo aua kau kia whakahokia mai i tena reta tuatahi i whakaatutia atu na e Tamati kia koutou ko Matua i te tutakitanga kia Hiraka raua ko te taina i te 26 o nga ra o Hurae ra ka kiia mai e Rata te kupu kua whakaae Apata kia whakahokia mai ona kau i tua o te Ratapu ka kiia atu e ra e pai ana kia whiua mai e Apata ona kau ki Waipawa ka noho a Nikora ki o Kahukura parau ai i te 2 o nga ra o Akuhata ka tae atu Apata ki o Kahukura ka puta atu te kupu a Hiraka kia Apatu kei whea rawa koe ka whiu ai i o kau ka whakahokia
Page 2:
mai e Apata kaore ia e whiu i ona kau ka kiia atu ano e Hiraka me whiu e koe o kau ki te kore koe e whiu i o kau ka whiua e a au ki te pauna i Te Waipukurau ka utua mai e Apata me haere koe kia Karaitiana korero ai ka kii atu a Hiraka e hara i te kainga no Karaitiana tenei kainga. E mohio ai a au ki te korero kia korua ko Karaitiana, ka haere taua pakeha kia Hemi ratou ko ana taina korero ai i ta raua korero, ko Hiraka ka utua e Hemi kaua o kau e whiua kati tonu i kona noho ai ki te whiua e ia ena kau ki te pauna ko au kei te keti e tu ana ina toku whakatauki to te maori, he tangi to te tamariki, he whakama to te kaumatua, kua rongo a Hiraka i taua kupu a Ngai Tahu i te mane i te 4 o nga ra o Akuhata ka kiia e ia te kupu ki Ngati Matekato me noho katoa koutou ko matau anake ko aku taina e haere ki te whakarite i te kupu tangi moku ka haere ratau ko nga taina kei te whiua ki waho o te taiepa ka kite a Ngai Tahu ka eke ki te whakahoki i ona kau ka whakapikia e Ngati Marau a Hiraka ratau ko ana taina he tohu ta Ngai Tahu kia riro ia ia nga kau he tohe hoki ta era me Ngati Marau kia
Page 3:
riro i era nga kau ki waho o te taiepa riro ana ia Hiraka ratou ko ana taina me Ngati Marau nga kau ki waho o te taiepa whiua tonutia ki Kaikanohi tu ai nga kau wahi iti nei kua kino rawa no te 5 o nga ra ka whakaatu tia mai kia maua ko Tamati ki Patangata ka kite iho maua i nga whakaatu mai a Ngati Marau, a Ngati Matiakato hoki e kii ake ana kei ta ratou whiunga mai ki Te Waipukurau i nga kau te tino ka piti ai ratau te mau ai tetahi ki te pu me tetahi ka tukua atu ta matau kupu kia kaua e whakamanaia nga kupu whawhai a Ngai Tahu heoi ano he whakaaro atu ma muri nei ko koutou ko matua me o tainaheoi kia tae mai ki te kainga nei. Erangi me kii mai ratou kia Apata kia tikina atu ona kau ma ratou ko ana Maori ano e whakahoki ki te Takapau noho ai aua kau e pai ana kaua ratou hei aha atu waiho ma te ture e ata matakitaki i te 7 o nga ra nei ka haere Apata ki te tiki i ona kau ki te whakahoki rawa mai i ona kau ki Waipawa nei kei te taenga atu pea ki ona maori te whakahokia ai ano ki Te Takapau noho ai nga kau heoi te kupu e kore e taea te whakatepe atu tenei raru raru nui
H. N. Te Aroatua.Whakamāoritanga | TranslationWaipukurau
August 7, 1873
To Henare Matua. Friend, greetings to you, your younger relations and your elders. This is the news that followed. On July 18, Apata drove his cattle to Takapau to pasture there, based on Karaitiana's permission. On July 26, several discussions took place. Nikora and Hiraka met with Rata and Apata in town. I had previously met with Rata and Henare. Rata spoke about finding a resolution regarding those cattle. During these meetings, Tamati showed you and Matua a letter about the situation. Rata reported that Apata had agreed to move his cattle after Sunday, suggesting they should be driven to Waipawa. During this period, Nikora stayed at Kahukura's place ploughing. On August 2, Apata visited Kahukura's place where Hiraka confronted him, asking, "Where are you going to drive your cattle?"
Page 2:
When Apata refused to move his cattle, Hiraka threatened, "If you don't drive your cattle, I will take those nearby cattle to the pound at Waipukurau." Apata told Hiraka to speak with Karaitiana, but Hiraka retorted, "This is not Karaitiana's land. I know how to speak to both you and Karaitiana." Following this confrontation, that Pakeha went to discuss the dispute with Hemi and his brothers. Hemi responded to Apata, saying, "Don't move your cattle; let them stay where they are. If he tries to take the cattle to the pound, I will be standing at the gate." There is the Maori proverb that goes, The child cries and fusses, the elder is embarrassed - noting how Apata complains like a child while even Hemi's confrontational response lacks the wisdom expected of elders. Hiraka heard what Ngai Tahu had said. On Monday, August 4, he instructed Ngati Matekato, "All of you stay behind. Only I and my younger brothers will address this grievance." When Hiraka and his brothers arrived, they found cattle being driven outside the fence by Ngai Tahu. When Ngai Tahu saw Hiraka's group, they mounted to retrieve the cattle, claiming ownership. Ngati Marau supported Hiraka against Ngai Tahu.
Page 3:
The confrontation ended with Hiraka, his brothers, and Ngati Marau taking the cattle and driving them to Kaikanohi, where they remain in a small paddock. The situation has seriously deteriorated. On August 5, Tamati and I were informed of these events at Patangata. We learned that the situation had nearly turned violent, with someone brandishing a gun. We sent word that Ngai Tahu's threats should be given no weight. However, on second thoughts, you and Matua and your siblings should come here to the settlement. But they should inform Apata to fetch his cows and take them back to Takapau, and that the cows settling there will be fine. And they should not do anything else; leave it for the law to carefully examine. Today, August 7, Apata went to fetch his cattle to bring them to Waipawa. Perhaps when he meets with his Maori, they will agree to return the cattle to Takapau again. That is all I can report. It is not possible to bring this great trouble to a conclusion yet.
H. N. Te Aroatua
Letter from H.N. Te Aroatua to Henare Matua. Ngāti Kere Archives, accessed 09/04/2026, https://ngatikere.recollectcms.com/nodes/view/1064