Tu-hinga | TranscriptTranscript: Pepueri 20 1873
Kia Nopera kia Ihakara kia Henare otira kia koutou katoa ki nga tangata kua oti atu nei ki Nepia ki te kainga o te tautohe tena ra koutou kia ora tonu koutou ma te Atua koutou e tiaki e tika ana to kupu e ki nei ka nui te kopeka o te kawanatanga he ahakoa nui nga kopeka a te Pakeha kia tupato kia ata titiro atu ko nga kopekatanga mo koutou. E tama kaore he korero o muri nei kotahi te kupu i mahara ai au kua puta te komiti ki Nepia i o koutou haerenga ki Nepia me puta tonu a Tamaki i aua ra ko Tamaki tonu ki mua i aua ra mo nga iwi enei ra i roto i aua ra ka karangatia e au kia toru nga ra no te taenga mai ki enei
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ra haere ai a Tamaki ka ahua pouri au. Heoi te kupu na he aha koa e tana mahia te mahi mahia tonutia heoti tonu na nga tangata mo kona koutou kei kawea e te roa whakarerea a Nepia e koutou kia oti rano nga mea ia koutou ka mahara au mai ai ki muri nei.
Na Apiata.Whakamāoritanga | TranslationFebruary 20, 1873
To Nopera, Ihakara, Henare, and to all of you who have journeyed to Napier, to the place of contention, I send my greetings. May you remain in good health, and may God watch over you.
You speak truly when you say the government's deceptions run deep. Regardless of how extensive the Pakeha's duplicity may be, remain vigilant and discern which of these deceptions directly impact your affairs. My friends, I have no news to report from here. One matter has occupied my thoughts: the committee has arrived in Napier coinciding with your journey there. Tamaki should have also departed during those days – Tamaki should have stood at the forefront during this time for the sake of our tribes. I called for a three-day gathering, but by the time it reached these
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days for Tamaki to go, my spirit had grown heavy. That concludes my thoughts on this matter. Whatever happens, continue steadfastly with the appointed work without faltering. This message comes from all of us here. Do not allow the distance to wear you down – remain in Napier until you have completed all your business there. I will contemplate what lies ahead after this.
Letter from Apiata Hungahunga to Nopera, Ihakara, and Henare. Ngāti Kere Archives, accessed 09/04/2026, https://ngatikere.recollectcms.com/nodes/view/1218
