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Tau Tohutoro | Reference NoHM00886Rā | Date1874/03/09Mai I Te Wāhi | PlaceWaipukurauKi Te Tangata | ToN/ANgā Tāngata | Names in letter Hori NianiaTe OmanaTe RakaTe PenetanaTe KakikiTe MakariniTaare NeanaWiremuMakaPeterikiMaakaKaupapa | SubjectWhakatau Take; GrievanceReta; Correspondence
Tūhonotanga | Related
Wāhi | PlaceWaipukurauKohikohinga | CollectionTuhinga ā-ringa
Tu-hinga / Whakamāoritanga | Transcript / Translation
Tu-hinga | TranscriptTranscript: Waipukurau
Akuhata 29 1872
He whakaatu tenei i te korero a Te Mitere Kai Ruri o te kawanatanga kia Henare raua ko Hori Niania.
Ko tana korero tenei I toku taenga mai i Akarana ki Poneke ka kite te kawanatanga i au a Te Omana ka mea mai taua Pakeha ki au me haere koe ki Nepia kia Raka mana e korero kia koe te ritenga mo te ruri o Tamaki.
Katahi au ka ki atu he whenua raruraru pea ina hoki i rongo au ka nui te raruraru ka ki mai a Te Omana ki au he raruraru iti kotahi tekau tonu nga tangata kai te pupuri katahi ahau ka haere mai taku taenga mai ki Nepia ka ki mai a Te Raka ki au me haere koe ki te ruri i Tamaki ki te wehe i nga piihi o nga tangata kaore nei e pai ki te hoko me haere ano ratau ki te whakaatu i nga rohe o ratou piihi me nga tangata hoko me haere ano koutou tetahi kupu o Te Raka ki au kia kite au i a koe kia korero taua na Te Raka hoki i ki mai ki au kei a koe a Tamaki e pupuri ana me korero au kia koe kia tukua o tangata kia haere ki te ruri i o ratou piihi no reira hoki i tuhituhia atu ai kia haere mai ki
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konei tatou korero ai tetahi o nga kupu a Te Raka i ki mai ai ki au ki te kore o tangata e haere ki te ruri me haere ahau ki te ruri i nga wahi mo te hoko i nga wahi hoki mo nga tangata kaore nei e pai ki te hoko.
Heoi ka mutu te korero a taua Pakeha, katahi ano ka utua e Henare me te whakarongo a Hori raua ko Maaka Pakeha ko te utu a Henare i te korero a taua Pakeha koia tenei.
E hoa ka pai to korero e korero nei koe i te kupu a te kawanatanga kia haere nga tangata kaore nei e pa ki te hoko ki te ruri i o ratou piihi.
E hoa kia rongo mai koe ko tenei kupu he kupu tahito kua kiia i mua i te takiwa i kite ai matou e he ana te kootitanga tuatahi katahi ka tukua nga pukapuka tono ki te Tumuaki kia kooti tuaruatia a Tamaki puta noa ki Puketoi te taenga atu o aua pukapuka tono kia Te Penetana ka tukua mai nga pukapuka whakaae a Te Penetana ka ki mai me ruri tuarua te whenua te taenga mai o aua Pukapuka katahi ka tonoa atu ki te kawanatanga kia tukua mai a Te Kakiki ki te ruri kaore hoki i tukua mai katia tonutia e Te Makarini e takoto nei ano te kape o ta matou pukapuka i te tera karauhe kati tena i muri iho ka tae mai a Te Raka ki
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Waipaoa ki te whakatakoto i nga moni mo Tamaki ki nga tangata Maori. Katahi ahau ka ki atu kia Te Raka, E hoa taihoa e whakatakoto i o moni ki nga Maori me Tahuri taua ki te mahi i nga whenua o nga iwi nei kia marama nga wahi o nga iwi e pai ana ki te hoko kia marama hoki nga wahi o nga iwi kaore nei e pai ki te hoko hei reira ka whakatakoto ai o moni kia marama ai kei waiho hei raruraru mo tatou a muri ake nei.
Katahi a Te Raka ka ki mai ki au e hoa e kore au e whakarongo ki to korero e kore hoki ahau e whakahe i te kupu a te kawanatanga i tonoa mai ai ahau katahi ahau ka mea atu kia Te Raka e pai ana kei a koe te whakaaro taku whakaaro ia me ata mahi marie taua muri iho ka pa te pouri nui ki etahi tangata o Tamaki katahi ka tahuri ki te kimi i tetahi ture ke atu hei oranga mo ratou ka tonoa ahau e ratau kia haere ki te Paremete ki te kimi i etahi whakaaro katahi ahau ka haere e wha aku taenga ki te Paremete ka mutu te kupu a te komiti o te Paremete i ki mai ai ki au me hoki koe ko nga whenua katoa e takoto he ana i roto i te porowhini o Hokipe Nepia me hoki atu ano ki Nepia whakaoti ai a Tamaki a Whenuahou me etahi atu whenua e takoto raruraru ana
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ma tetahi tangata ke atu i waho i te kawanatanga o Nepia e haere mai hei hoa korero mo koutou.
Ka mutu te kupu mai o te Paremete ka hoki mai ahau kotahi wiki oku ki te kainga nei ka puta mai te kai whakarite a te kawanatanga ki au korero ai kia whakaotia te hoko o Tamaki ko te ingoa o taua kai whakarite ko Taare Neana muri iho ko te Wiremu i a ia ano tetahi wahi o te kupu a te kawanatanga muri iho ka tuarua mai a Taare Neana ko taua kupu ano i muri mai ko Taare ano muri iho ko Taare ano muri rawa iho ko Raka ko to maua whare ano tenei i korero ai ko tona hoa korero mai ki au ko Maka muri iho ko Peteriki kai tiaki toa nei ka korero mai ano na te kawanatanga ano nga kupu o tana korero heoi ko te tika tenei o taku kupu i ki atu nei kia koe he korero tahito tena korero kua tono noa atu matau i te ruri tuarua mo Tamaki kaore te kawanatanga i pai kore rawa atu katahi tonu te tuatahi o tena kupu ki te puta mai i te waha o te kawanatanga me he mea kua puta mai he kupu whakaae a te kawanatanga i runga i a matau tono o mua penei e kore matou e raruraru ki te kimi noa ake he oranga i roto i nga mate
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kua whakapakia nei ki nga iwi o te motu nei ina koe e ki mai nei na te kawanatanga koe i tono mai ki te ruri i Tamaki.
A tenei taku patai kia koe na tehea kawanatanga koe i tono mai ka ki mai taua Pakeha kai ruri ko Te Mitere te ingoa na te kawanatanga o Te Omana raua ko Te Makarini ka patai ano ahau ki a koe na te hea kawanatanga i whakatupu te raruraru ki tenei Porowini i puta mai ai ko te kawanatanga o Te Makarini raua ko Te Omana hei whakaoti i nga raruraru i pa mai ki tenei Porowini i tonoa mai ai koe hei kai mahi.
Katahi taua Pakeha ka ki mai ki au kaore au i mohio ki tetahi atu kawanatanga heoi ano te kawanatanga e mohio ana ahau no Te Makarini raua ko Omana i rongo ano hoki ahau i te raruraru o tenei whenua o Tamaki kaore au i mohio kei te kawanatanga te he nau i korero nei katahi ahau ka marama ki taku whakaaro ake ka tika to korero tika rawa te ra pea kei te kawanatanga e mohio ana te he i whakahe nui ai ki a koutou kupu me he mea ko ta koutou korero tonu tenei ki te kawanatanga e korero nei koe ka nui te pai. Pai rawa atu ki au.
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Ko te take tena o to koutou kaha ko te whakarerenga a te kawanatanga i a koutou whakaaro e kore hoki au e ki he mahi Hauhau tenei otira e kimi ana koutou he oranga mo koutou i roto i nga ture Pakeha no te mea ko te orana tena o tenei iwi o te Pakeha ko te mohiotanga ki te ture me he mea hoki ka mohio koutou ki te ture e kore to koutou whenua e riro i runga i te kuaretanga e rangi ka riro i runga i te ata whakahaere a te ture heoi
katahi ka ki atu ki taua Pakeha ehoa tenei ano tetahi patai aku ki a koe.
Ma wai e whakawa te tangata kohuru me te tangata tahae mana ake ranei ma te tangata ke ranei ka ki mai taua Pakeha ma te tangata ke.
Patai ki to mohio ko te kawanatanga o Te Makarini ma hei whakawa i ana he ko te tangata ke ranei ka ki mai taua Pakeha ko te tangata ke, patai he aha koe i whakarongo ai ki te reo o aua kaitahae ka ki mai he kore noku kaore e mohio.
Patai kei te pehea koe inaianei i te takiwa kua mohio nei ka ki mai taua Pakeha e ruarua ana taku whakaaro otira me patu e au ki te waea kia Te Raka ka ki atu au e pai ana kei a koe ka ki mai taua Pakeha ki au erangi kia hoki mai ahau ka korero ai ano taua kia tino marama he korero ka ki atu au e pai ana.
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E pai ana heoi ka haere ia ka pahi ki te rua o nga haora ka tae mai ia me te pukapuka a Raka.
Patai pehea nga korero o te pukapuka a Te Raka, ka ki mai ko nga kupu a Te Raka e ki ana mai ki atu kia Henare kua whakanui te kawanatanga i a ia me tuku e ia ona tangata ki te ruri i o ratou piihi.
Patai ka ruri ranei koe i Tamaki puta noa i Puketoi ka ki mai ae, ka pataia atu ano pehea te ahua o tenei ruri ka ki mai ka ruri ahau i te whenua i runga i te ritenga o nga tupuna. Patai ka mutu to ruri ka pehea ka whakawakia.
Patai ki tehea whakawa ka ki mai ki te kooti whenua Maori.
Patai ehara ranei tenei i te ruri i tonoa e matou i mua ka ki mai ko taua ruri ano. Patai he aha ra te he o ta matou tono ki a ruri tuaruatia i tae ai hoki ki enei ra i ruri tuaruatia ai ka ki mai kaore au e mohio.
Patai kaore ranei koe i mohio kua hinga te kawanatanga ka ki mai taua Pakeha nou e korero nei i mohio ai ahau kua hinga ina hoki kua tono koutou kia ruritia mo te kooti kaore e pai te kawanatanga no naianei hoki ka tono kia ruritia ano kia whakawa tuaruatia e te kooti no konei ahau i ki ai kua hinga e kore hoki ahau e kaha ki te whakahe i te mea tika heoi katahi ahau
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ka ki atu au ki taua Pakeha e hoa ka pai to korero kaore he tangata o te kawanatanga i penei me koe te marama o te kroero me he mea hoki e penei ana te marama o te korero katahi ka mohio ake nga iwi Maori he oranga ano mo ratou kei te kawanatanga e toe ana mo a mua ake nei ko tenei kaore kau kotahi tonu ta te kawanatanga e whakaaro ai ko tona iwi ake kia ora i runga i ona whakahaere ko tenei e hoa kua korero marama nei taua i te ra e whiti nei kati kia rongo mai koe kaore i au a Tamaki e mau ana kei nga komiti katoa kei aua komiti te ritenga mo to korero mana e ki ae mana e ki kaore tetahi ko nga tangata o nga karauna kaarati kei te raruraru ki nga mahi mau ia ka haere ki te ruri kei a koe.
Katahi taua Pakeha ka ki mai ki au kaore oti koe e pai kia patua e au ki te waea kia Te Raka ka ki atu au e pai ana kei a koe katahi ka haere kotahi haora e ngaro ana ka puta mai. P. Pehea te kupu a Te Raka ki a koe, ka ki mai ko te kupu a Te Raka ki au kei au te whakaaro ki ta taua korero. Patai kua marama koe ka ki mai ae kua marama ahau katahi ahau ka ki atu ki taua Pakeha kati kua marama koe ki te kupu a Te Raka tenei hoki taku ki a koe me kore to haere ki te ruri kia hoki mai ahau i Waimarama.
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Tera hoki ta taua korero e tukua e au ki nga komiti katoa ka haere katoa hoki nga komiti ki te hui ki Waimarama kei taua komiti te kupu whakaoti mo ta taua korero mo tau ranei mo taku ranei katahi ka ki mai me patu e au ki te waea kia Te Raka ka ki atu au e pai ana kei a koe katahi ka haere kotahi haora e ngaro ana ka hoki mai. Patai pehea te kupu a Te Raka kia koe katahi ka ki mai ko te kupu a Te Raka ki au e ki ana mai kia haere ia ki te hui ki Waimarama e ki ana mai me ui atu e au ki a koe ki te pai koe kia haere ia ka haere ki te kore koe e pai kaore ia e haere.
Katahi ahau ka kii atu ki taua Pakeha e pai ana kia tae ia ki taua hui kaore hoki aku mauahara ki te tinana o te tangata heoi ano hoki te mea e whakahe ana au ko nga korero anake.
Ko tenei e pai ana kia haere ia ki reira whakarongo ai ina te kore he ki na ratou ko aua tangata ka tupu i te komiti tetahi raruraru mo tenei whenua katahi ka ui mai pehea tau kupu whakaoti mo Tamaki ki runga ki ta te kawanatanga kupu whakaoti katahi au ka ki atu ki taua Pakeha e hoa kaore aku whakaoti ki te kupu a tenei kawanatanga e Tu nei no te mea kei taua kawanatanga e mau ana nga he katoa o tenei
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Porowini a Tamaki a Whenua hau o Marutairi me ra atu wahi i hokoa hetia me nga whenua mokete kei taua kawanatanga ano e mau ana kei te mohio tonu taua kawanatanga ki te he hei aha mana te he tohe tonu kia whakaotia atu e te Maori ki te taha ki te Pakeha no reira ahau i kore ai e marama ki to haere mai me te kupu a te kawanatanga kua tae mai nei ki nga Maori kia tukua atu ki te ruri i o ratau piihi.
Me he mea pea na tetahi atu kawanatanga te tono mo nga Maori kia haere ki te ruri i o ratau piihi me te whakahau mau katahi pea ka marama he kawanatanga hou hoki tena ko tenei ko Te Makarini ana he tangata tawhito a Te Makarini no roto i nga kawanatanga katoa me nga he koia tonu ano te kai whakahaere muri iho ko Omana kotahi tonu ta raua whakahaere no reira e kore e marama te whakarongo ki nga kupu o tenei kawanatanga katahi taua Pakeha ka ki mai ki au e hoa me he mea ko au te tangata whakahaere o te kawanatanga ka nui taku whakama ina hoki me he mea kotahi te whenua i he e kore au e whakama tena ko tenei he katoa e kore tenei e kiia he pohehe he mahi nui tenei kia koutou.
Ehoa ka nui te pai o to korero ka nui te marama ki au.
Katahi au ka ki atu ki taua Pakeha e hoa tenei taku kupu nui
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kia koe e kore e mutu taku whakahe ki nga mahi o te kawanatanga ahakoa tu mai tetahi atu kawanatanga ka whakahe tonu ka iti taku whakahe ki nga mea kei mua i te aroaro no te mea tera pea e marama i a matou etahi wahi te titiro atu ko taku whakahe nui ka hoki ki muri te take i hoki ai ki muri he haere mohio mai no koutou ki nga ture ina hoki e hara i te mea ko te hoko to mua ko nga ture to muri kao no mua tonu nga ture i oti ai i a koutou te hanga to koutou taenga mai ki tenei motu mohio tonu ano koutou ki nga ture to koutou kitenga i nga iwi Maori e noho kuare ana katahi ano ka akina mai to koutou mohiotanga ki roto ki te kuaretanga o nga iwi Maori kai ai i te whenua no to koutou kitenga kua mate nga iwi Maori i runga i a koutou tinihanga katahi koutou ka tito ki te panui i o koutou ture he wehiwehi pea ianei no koutou i te oati a te kuini mo tenei mate koia te take o ta koutou panui kia mahara ai a te kuinii me ra atu iwi o te moana koia he mahi pai ta koutou ki nga iwi Maori no reira e kore e mutu taku whakahe kia whakaoti rano a te kawana i ana he ki nga Maori kia kotahi he ture mo tatou kia kotahi he whakahaere mo tatou katahi ana ka mutu taku whakahe.
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He korero na Henare Matua raua ko Te Mitere kairuri o te KawanatangaWhakamāoritanga | TranslationWaipukurau
August 29, 1872
This is an account of the conversation between Mr. Mitere, Government Surveyor, and Henare and Hori Niania.
This is his statement: When I arrived from Auckland to Wellington, the government, Te Omana [Ormond], saw me and said to me, "You should go to Napier to see Locke who will tell you about the surveying arrangements for Tamaki."
Then I said, "This is perhaps a contentious land, as I have heard there is much trouble." Ormond replied to me, "It is only a small problem, just ten people are holding it." So I came, and upon my arrival at Napier, Locke told me, "You should go survey Tamaki, to separate the pieces of those people who do not wish to sell. They should go and show the boundaries of their pieces, and those who wish to sell should also go with you." Another instruction from Locke to me was that I should see you to discuss, as Locke had told me that you are holding Tamaki, and I should speak with you so that you would allow your people to go survey their pieces. That is why a letter was written for us to come
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here to discuss. One of the things Locke said to me was that if your people do not go to survey, I should go and survey the areas for sale and also the areas for people who do not wish to sell.
That is the end of that Pakeha's statement. Then Henare replied, with Hori and Maaka Pakeha listening. Henare's response to that Pakeha's statement was as follows.
Friend, your statement is good, saying the government's instruction is for people who are not involved in selling to go survey their pieces.
Friend, let me tell you this is an old instruction that was given before, at the time when we realised the first court sitting was wrong. Then request letters were sent to the Chief to have Tamaki re-heard by the court, all the way to Puketoi. When those request letters reached Te Penetana [Fenton], Fenton sent back letters of agreement saying the land should be resurveyed. When those letters arrived, a request was sent to the government to send Te Kakiki to conduct the survey, but he was not sent, and it was completely blocked by McLean. The copy of our letter is still in that cupboard. After that, Locke came to
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Waipaoa to distribute the money for Tamaki to the Maori people. Then I said to Locke, 'Friend, wait before distributing your money to the Maori. Let us first turn to working on the lands of these tribes to clarify which areas belong to the tribes willing to sell and which areas belong to the tribes not willing to sell. After that, you can distribute your money clearly, lest it become a problem for us in the future.'
Then Locke said to me, 'Friend, I will not listen to your suggestion, nor will I go against the government's instruction that sent me here.'
Then I said to Locke, 'That's fine, it's your decision, but my view is that this should be done carefully and properly.' Later, a great affliction fell upon some people of Tamaki, and they turned to searching for some other law for their salvation. They sent me to go to Parliament to seek some ideas. So I went there, making four visits to Parliament. The Parliamentary committee's final word to me was, 'You should return. All the lands that are in a state of dispute within the Hawke's Bay/Napier province should be returned to Napier to be resolved - Tamaki, Whenuahou, and other contested lands - through
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someone from outside the Napier government who will come as a negotiator for you all.'
When Parliament's direction ended, I returned home. After one week at home, a government agent came to see me to discuss completing the sale of Tamaki. The name of that agent was Taare Neana. After him came Wiremu, who also carried part of the government's message. Then Taare Neana came a second time with the same message, followed by Taare again, then Taare once more, and finally Locke. We spoke at my house, and his companion in speaking to me was Maka, followed by Peteriki, a store keeper here. He spoke again of the government's words.
This is the truth of what I said to you - that message is an old one. We have already requested a resurvey of Tamaki, but the government was not willing, absolutely not. This is the first time such a statement has come from the government's mouth. If the government had agreed to our previous requests, we would not have had to struggle to find relief from the hardships
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that have been imposed on the tribes of this island. Now you say the government sent you to survey Tamaki.
Here is my question to you: "which government sent you?" The surveyor, whose name was Mr. Mitere, said, "The government of Ormond and McLean." I asked again, "Which government created the troubles in this Province, resulting in the government of McLean and Ormond sending you to resolve the troubles that have come to this Province?"
Then that Pakeha said to me, "I don't know about any other government. The only government I know is McLean and Ormond's. I have also heard about the trouble with this land, Tamaki, but I didn't know the government was at fault until you just mentioned it." Then I understood in my own mind, "Your words are right, absolutely right. Perhaps the government knows its wrong in strongly opposing your words. If this is exactly what you told the government, as you're telling me now, that's very good. I'm very pleased with it.
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That is the source of your resolve - the government's abandonment of your views. I won't say this is a Hauhau activity, but rather you are seeking relief within Pakeha laws because that is the salvation of the Pakeha people - knowledge of the law. If you understand the law, your land will not be taken through ignorance, but rather, if it is to be acquired at all, it would only happen through proper legal procedure.
Then I said to that Pakeha, "Friend, here is another question for you: Who judges a murderer and a thief - themselves or someone else?" The Pakeha said, "Someone else."
I asked, "In your understanding, is it McLean's government that will judge its own wrongs, or someone else?" The Pakeha said, "Someone else." I asked, "Why did you listen to the directives of those thieves?" He said, "I didn't know any better."
I asked, "How do you feel now that you have come to understand this?" That Pakeha said, "I'm of two minds, but I should tap a telegraph to Locke." I said, "That's fine, it's up to you." The Pakeha said to me, "But when I return, we should talk again to be absolutely clear." I said, "That's fine."
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It is fine, so he left, returning after two hours with a telegraph from Locke.
I asked, "What does Locke's telegraph say?" He said, "Locke's communications tell me to tell Henare that the government has acknowledged him, and he should send his people to survey their pieces."
I asked, 'Will you survey all of Tamaki right through to Puketoi?' He said, 'Yes.' I asked again, 'What is the nature of this survey?' He said, 'I will survey the land according to ancestral custom/practice.' I asked, 'After your survey is complete, what then, will it be judged?'"
I asked, "By which court?" He said, "By the Maori Land Court."
I asked, "Isn't this the survey we requested before?" He said, "It is the same survey."
I asked, "What was wrong with our request for a resurvey that it has taken until now for it to be resurveyed?" He said, "I don't know."
I asked, 'Don't you know that the government has fallen?' That Pākehā said, 'I only learned of it from your words just now. Indeed, you requested a survey for the court, the government refused, and now they're requesting a survey again so that it may be heard a second time by the court. From this I conclude the government has fallen. I cannot deny what is true.' Then I
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said to that Pakeha, "Friend, your words are good. No one from the government has shown such clarity in their communication as you have. If all government representatives spoke with this same clarity, the Maori tribes would know that there is still salvation available from the government for the future. But as it is, there is nothing. The government only thinks about the welfare of its own people through its administration. Now, friend, we two have spoken together with complete transparency under this shining sun. Listen to me: I am not holding Tamaki. It's with all the committees. Those committees decide on your statement - whether they say yes or no. One thing: the people with Crown grants are struggling with the work - you can go to survey for them, it's up to you."
Then that Pakeha said to me, "Don't you want me to tap a telegraph to Locke?" I said, "That's fine, it's up to you." So he left, was absent for an hour, then appeared. P. "What did Locke say to you?" He replied, "Locke's message to me is that the decision about our conversation is mine." I asked, "Are you clear now?" He said, "Yes, I am clear." Then I said to that Pakeha, "So you are clear about Locke's message. Here is my message to you: please do not go to survey until I return from Waimarama.
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I will submit our conversation to all the committees, and all the committees will go to the gathering at Waimarama. That committee will have the final word on our conversation, either yours or mine." Then he said, "I should tap a telegraph to Locke." I said, "That's fine, it's up to you." So he left, was absent for one hour, and then returned. I asked, "What did Locke say to you?" Then he said, "Locke's message to me is that he wants to go to the gathering at Waimarama. He asks me to ask you if you are agreeable to him going. If you agree, he will go; if you don't agree, he won't go."
Then I said to that Pakeha, "It is good for him to attend that gathering. I have no malice toward the person himself; my objections are only to what has been said and communicated.
So it is good for him to go there and listen. If those particular people fail to make a statement, then trouble concerning this land will arise from the committee." Then he asked, "What is your final position on Tamaki in response to the government's final position?" Then I said to that Pakeha, "Friend, I have no final response to the statement of this government that stands now, because that government holds all the wrongs of this
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Province - Tamaki, Whenua Hau, Marutairi, and other places that were wrongfully purchased, and the mortgaged lands are also held by that government. That government knows very well the wrong. Why should it hold onto the wrong and insist that the Maori complete it on the Pakeha side? That's why I don't understand your coming with the government's message that has now reached the Maori, telling them to allow their pieces to be surveyed.
Perhaps if the request for the Maori to go survey their pieces came from another government, with instructions for you, then it might be clear - that would be a new government. But as it is, McLean is an old man who has been embedded within all the governments and all their wrongdoings. He is still the administrator, followed by Ormond. They have the same administration, so it's not clear why we should listen to the words of this government." Then that Pakeha said to me, "Friend, if I were the administrator of the government, I would be very ashamed. Indeed, if only one land was wrong, I wouldn't be ashamed, but since all are wrong, this can't be called a mistake - this is a major issue for you all."
Friend, your words are exceedingly good, they bring great clarity to me."
Then I said to that Pakeha, "Friend, here is my significant statement
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to you: I will not stop objecting to the government's actions. Even if another government takes power, I will continue to object. My objection to things in front of us will be small, because perhaps some areas will become clear for us to see. My main objection goes back to the past. The reason it goes back is that you came with knowledge of the laws. Indeed, it's not that buying came first and laws came later - no, the laws were there from the beginning, established by you before your arrival on this island. You already knew the laws. When you saw the Maori tribes living in ignorance, then you deliberately drove your knowledge into the ignorance of the Maori tribes, consuming the land. When you saw that the Maori tribes were suffering from your deceptions, then you invented and published your laws - perhaps out of fear of the Queen's oath regarding this suffering. That was the reason for your publication - so the Queen and other nations across the sea would believe you were doing good things for the Maori tribes. Therefore, I will not stop objecting until the Governor resolves his wrongs to the Maori, until we have one law for us all, one administration for us all. Only then will my objection end."
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This is a record of the conversation between Henare Matua and Mr. Mitere, the Government Surveyor.
Akuhata 29 1872
He whakaatu tenei i te korero a Te Mitere Kai Ruri o te kawanatanga kia Henare raua ko Hori Niania.
Ko tana korero tenei I toku taenga mai i Akarana ki Poneke ka kite te kawanatanga i au a Te Omana ka mea mai taua Pakeha ki au me haere koe ki Nepia kia Raka mana e korero kia koe te ritenga mo te ruri o Tamaki.
Katahi au ka ki atu he whenua raruraru pea ina hoki i rongo au ka nui te raruraru ka ki mai a Te Omana ki au he raruraru iti kotahi tekau tonu nga tangata kai te pupuri katahi ahau ka haere mai taku taenga mai ki Nepia ka ki mai a Te Raka ki au me haere koe ki te ruri i Tamaki ki te wehe i nga piihi o nga tangata kaore nei e pai ki te hoko me haere ano ratau ki te whakaatu i nga rohe o ratou piihi me nga tangata hoko me haere ano koutou tetahi kupu o Te Raka ki au kia kite au i a koe kia korero taua na Te Raka hoki i ki mai ki au kei a koe a Tamaki e pupuri ana me korero au kia koe kia tukua o tangata kia haere ki te ruri i o ratou piihi no reira hoki i tuhituhia atu ai kia haere mai ki
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konei tatou korero ai tetahi o nga kupu a Te Raka i ki mai ai ki au ki te kore o tangata e haere ki te ruri me haere ahau ki te ruri i nga wahi mo te hoko i nga wahi hoki mo nga tangata kaore nei e pai ki te hoko.
Heoi ka mutu te korero a taua Pakeha, katahi ano ka utua e Henare me te whakarongo a Hori raua ko Maaka Pakeha ko te utu a Henare i te korero a taua Pakeha koia tenei.
E hoa ka pai to korero e korero nei koe i te kupu a te kawanatanga kia haere nga tangata kaore nei e pa ki te hoko ki te ruri i o ratou piihi.
E hoa kia rongo mai koe ko tenei kupu he kupu tahito kua kiia i mua i te takiwa i kite ai matou e he ana te kootitanga tuatahi katahi ka tukua nga pukapuka tono ki te Tumuaki kia kooti tuaruatia a Tamaki puta noa ki Puketoi te taenga atu o aua pukapuka tono kia Te Penetana ka tukua mai nga pukapuka whakaae a Te Penetana ka ki mai me ruri tuarua te whenua te taenga mai o aua Pukapuka katahi ka tonoa atu ki te kawanatanga kia tukua mai a Te Kakiki ki te ruri kaore hoki i tukua mai katia tonutia e Te Makarini e takoto nei ano te kape o ta matou pukapuka i te tera karauhe kati tena i muri iho ka tae mai a Te Raka ki
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Waipaoa ki te whakatakoto i nga moni mo Tamaki ki nga tangata Maori. Katahi ahau ka ki atu kia Te Raka, E hoa taihoa e whakatakoto i o moni ki nga Maori me Tahuri taua ki te mahi i nga whenua o nga iwi nei kia marama nga wahi o nga iwi e pai ana ki te hoko kia marama hoki nga wahi o nga iwi kaore nei e pai ki te hoko hei reira ka whakatakoto ai o moni kia marama ai kei waiho hei raruraru mo tatou a muri ake nei.
Katahi a Te Raka ka ki mai ki au e hoa e kore au e whakarongo ki to korero e kore hoki ahau e whakahe i te kupu a te kawanatanga i tonoa mai ai ahau katahi ahau ka mea atu kia Te Raka e pai ana kei a koe te whakaaro taku whakaaro ia me ata mahi marie taua muri iho ka pa te pouri nui ki etahi tangata o Tamaki katahi ka tahuri ki te kimi i tetahi ture ke atu hei oranga mo ratou ka tonoa ahau e ratau kia haere ki te Paremete ki te kimi i etahi whakaaro katahi ahau ka haere e wha aku taenga ki te Paremete ka mutu te kupu a te komiti o te Paremete i ki mai ai ki au me hoki koe ko nga whenua katoa e takoto he ana i roto i te porowhini o Hokipe Nepia me hoki atu ano ki Nepia whakaoti ai a Tamaki a Whenuahou me etahi atu whenua e takoto raruraru ana
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ma tetahi tangata ke atu i waho i te kawanatanga o Nepia e haere mai hei hoa korero mo koutou.
Ka mutu te kupu mai o te Paremete ka hoki mai ahau kotahi wiki oku ki te kainga nei ka puta mai te kai whakarite a te kawanatanga ki au korero ai kia whakaotia te hoko o Tamaki ko te ingoa o taua kai whakarite ko Taare Neana muri iho ko te Wiremu i a ia ano tetahi wahi o te kupu a te kawanatanga muri iho ka tuarua mai a Taare Neana ko taua kupu ano i muri mai ko Taare ano muri iho ko Taare ano muri rawa iho ko Raka ko to maua whare ano tenei i korero ai ko tona hoa korero mai ki au ko Maka muri iho ko Peteriki kai tiaki toa nei ka korero mai ano na te kawanatanga ano nga kupu o tana korero heoi ko te tika tenei o taku kupu i ki atu nei kia koe he korero tahito tena korero kua tono noa atu matau i te ruri tuarua mo Tamaki kaore te kawanatanga i pai kore rawa atu katahi tonu te tuatahi o tena kupu ki te puta mai i te waha o te kawanatanga me he mea kua puta mai he kupu whakaae a te kawanatanga i runga i a matau tono o mua penei e kore matou e raruraru ki te kimi noa ake he oranga i roto i nga mate
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kua whakapakia nei ki nga iwi o te motu nei ina koe e ki mai nei na te kawanatanga koe i tono mai ki te ruri i Tamaki.
A tenei taku patai kia koe na tehea kawanatanga koe i tono mai ka ki mai taua Pakeha kai ruri ko Te Mitere te ingoa na te kawanatanga o Te Omana raua ko Te Makarini ka patai ano ahau ki a koe na te hea kawanatanga i whakatupu te raruraru ki tenei Porowini i puta mai ai ko te kawanatanga o Te Makarini raua ko Te Omana hei whakaoti i nga raruraru i pa mai ki tenei Porowini i tonoa mai ai koe hei kai mahi.
Katahi taua Pakeha ka ki mai ki au kaore au i mohio ki tetahi atu kawanatanga heoi ano te kawanatanga e mohio ana ahau no Te Makarini raua ko Omana i rongo ano hoki ahau i te raruraru o tenei whenua o Tamaki kaore au i mohio kei te kawanatanga te he nau i korero nei katahi ahau ka marama ki taku whakaaro ake ka tika to korero tika rawa te ra pea kei te kawanatanga e mohio ana te he i whakahe nui ai ki a koutou kupu me he mea ko ta koutou korero tonu tenei ki te kawanatanga e korero nei koe ka nui te pai. Pai rawa atu ki au.
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Ko te take tena o to koutou kaha ko te whakarerenga a te kawanatanga i a koutou whakaaro e kore hoki au e ki he mahi Hauhau tenei otira e kimi ana koutou he oranga mo koutou i roto i nga ture Pakeha no te mea ko te orana tena o tenei iwi o te Pakeha ko te mohiotanga ki te ture me he mea hoki ka mohio koutou ki te ture e kore to koutou whenua e riro i runga i te kuaretanga e rangi ka riro i runga i te ata whakahaere a te ture heoi
katahi ka ki atu ki taua Pakeha ehoa tenei ano tetahi patai aku ki a koe.
Ma wai e whakawa te tangata kohuru me te tangata tahae mana ake ranei ma te tangata ke ranei ka ki mai taua Pakeha ma te tangata ke.
Patai ki to mohio ko te kawanatanga o Te Makarini ma hei whakawa i ana he ko te tangata ke ranei ka ki mai taua Pakeha ko te tangata ke, patai he aha koe i whakarongo ai ki te reo o aua kaitahae ka ki mai he kore noku kaore e mohio.
Patai kei te pehea koe inaianei i te takiwa kua mohio nei ka ki mai taua Pakeha e ruarua ana taku whakaaro otira me patu e au ki te waea kia Te Raka ka ki atu au e pai ana kei a koe ka ki mai taua Pakeha ki au erangi kia hoki mai ahau ka korero ai ano taua kia tino marama he korero ka ki atu au e pai ana.
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E pai ana heoi ka haere ia ka pahi ki te rua o nga haora ka tae mai ia me te pukapuka a Raka.
Patai pehea nga korero o te pukapuka a Te Raka, ka ki mai ko nga kupu a Te Raka e ki ana mai ki atu kia Henare kua whakanui te kawanatanga i a ia me tuku e ia ona tangata ki te ruri i o ratou piihi.
Patai ka ruri ranei koe i Tamaki puta noa i Puketoi ka ki mai ae, ka pataia atu ano pehea te ahua o tenei ruri ka ki mai ka ruri ahau i te whenua i runga i te ritenga o nga tupuna. Patai ka mutu to ruri ka pehea ka whakawakia.
Patai ki tehea whakawa ka ki mai ki te kooti whenua Maori.
Patai ehara ranei tenei i te ruri i tonoa e matou i mua ka ki mai ko taua ruri ano. Patai he aha ra te he o ta matou tono ki a ruri tuaruatia i tae ai hoki ki enei ra i ruri tuaruatia ai ka ki mai kaore au e mohio.
Patai kaore ranei koe i mohio kua hinga te kawanatanga ka ki mai taua Pakeha nou e korero nei i mohio ai ahau kua hinga ina hoki kua tono koutou kia ruritia mo te kooti kaore e pai te kawanatanga no naianei hoki ka tono kia ruritia ano kia whakawa tuaruatia e te kooti no konei ahau i ki ai kua hinga e kore hoki ahau e kaha ki te whakahe i te mea tika heoi katahi ahau
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ka ki atu au ki taua Pakeha e hoa ka pai to korero kaore he tangata o te kawanatanga i penei me koe te marama o te kroero me he mea hoki e penei ana te marama o te korero katahi ka mohio ake nga iwi Maori he oranga ano mo ratou kei te kawanatanga e toe ana mo a mua ake nei ko tenei kaore kau kotahi tonu ta te kawanatanga e whakaaro ai ko tona iwi ake kia ora i runga i ona whakahaere ko tenei e hoa kua korero marama nei taua i te ra e whiti nei kati kia rongo mai koe kaore i au a Tamaki e mau ana kei nga komiti katoa kei aua komiti te ritenga mo to korero mana e ki ae mana e ki kaore tetahi ko nga tangata o nga karauna kaarati kei te raruraru ki nga mahi mau ia ka haere ki te ruri kei a koe.
Katahi taua Pakeha ka ki mai ki au kaore oti koe e pai kia patua e au ki te waea kia Te Raka ka ki atu au e pai ana kei a koe katahi ka haere kotahi haora e ngaro ana ka puta mai. P. Pehea te kupu a Te Raka ki a koe, ka ki mai ko te kupu a Te Raka ki au kei au te whakaaro ki ta taua korero. Patai kua marama koe ka ki mai ae kua marama ahau katahi ahau ka ki atu ki taua Pakeha kati kua marama koe ki te kupu a Te Raka tenei hoki taku ki a koe me kore to haere ki te ruri kia hoki mai ahau i Waimarama.
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Tera hoki ta taua korero e tukua e au ki nga komiti katoa ka haere katoa hoki nga komiti ki te hui ki Waimarama kei taua komiti te kupu whakaoti mo ta taua korero mo tau ranei mo taku ranei katahi ka ki mai me patu e au ki te waea kia Te Raka ka ki atu au e pai ana kei a koe katahi ka haere kotahi haora e ngaro ana ka hoki mai. Patai pehea te kupu a Te Raka kia koe katahi ka ki mai ko te kupu a Te Raka ki au e ki ana mai kia haere ia ki te hui ki Waimarama e ki ana mai me ui atu e au ki a koe ki te pai koe kia haere ia ka haere ki te kore koe e pai kaore ia e haere.
Katahi ahau ka kii atu ki taua Pakeha e pai ana kia tae ia ki taua hui kaore hoki aku mauahara ki te tinana o te tangata heoi ano hoki te mea e whakahe ana au ko nga korero anake.
Ko tenei e pai ana kia haere ia ki reira whakarongo ai ina te kore he ki na ratou ko aua tangata ka tupu i te komiti tetahi raruraru mo tenei whenua katahi ka ui mai pehea tau kupu whakaoti mo Tamaki ki runga ki ta te kawanatanga kupu whakaoti katahi au ka ki atu ki taua Pakeha e hoa kaore aku whakaoti ki te kupu a tenei kawanatanga e Tu nei no te mea kei taua kawanatanga e mau ana nga he katoa o tenei
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Porowini a Tamaki a Whenua hau o Marutairi me ra atu wahi i hokoa hetia me nga whenua mokete kei taua kawanatanga ano e mau ana kei te mohio tonu taua kawanatanga ki te he hei aha mana te he tohe tonu kia whakaotia atu e te Maori ki te taha ki te Pakeha no reira ahau i kore ai e marama ki to haere mai me te kupu a te kawanatanga kua tae mai nei ki nga Maori kia tukua atu ki te ruri i o ratau piihi.
Me he mea pea na tetahi atu kawanatanga te tono mo nga Maori kia haere ki te ruri i o ratau piihi me te whakahau mau katahi pea ka marama he kawanatanga hou hoki tena ko tenei ko Te Makarini ana he tangata tawhito a Te Makarini no roto i nga kawanatanga katoa me nga he koia tonu ano te kai whakahaere muri iho ko Omana kotahi tonu ta raua whakahaere no reira e kore e marama te whakarongo ki nga kupu o tenei kawanatanga katahi taua Pakeha ka ki mai ki au e hoa me he mea ko au te tangata whakahaere o te kawanatanga ka nui taku whakama ina hoki me he mea kotahi te whenua i he e kore au e whakama tena ko tenei he katoa e kore tenei e kiia he pohehe he mahi nui tenei kia koutou.
Ehoa ka nui te pai o to korero ka nui te marama ki au.
Katahi au ka ki atu ki taua Pakeha e hoa tenei taku kupu nui
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kia koe e kore e mutu taku whakahe ki nga mahi o te kawanatanga ahakoa tu mai tetahi atu kawanatanga ka whakahe tonu ka iti taku whakahe ki nga mea kei mua i te aroaro no te mea tera pea e marama i a matou etahi wahi te titiro atu ko taku whakahe nui ka hoki ki muri te take i hoki ai ki muri he haere mohio mai no koutou ki nga ture ina hoki e hara i te mea ko te hoko to mua ko nga ture to muri kao no mua tonu nga ture i oti ai i a koutou te hanga to koutou taenga mai ki tenei motu mohio tonu ano koutou ki nga ture to koutou kitenga i nga iwi Maori e noho kuare ana katahi ano ka akina mai to koutou mohiotanga ki roto ki te kuaretanga o nga iwi Maori kai ai i te whenua no to koutou kitenga kua mate nga iwi Maori i runga i a koutou tinihanga katahi koutou ka tito ki te panui i o koutou ture he wehiwehi pea ianei no koutou i te oati a te kuini mo tenei mate koia te take o ta koutou panui kia mahara ai a te kuinii me ra atu iwi o te moana koia he mahi pai ta koutou ki nga iwi Maori no reira e kore e mutu taku whakahe kia whakaoti rano a te kawana i ana he ki nga Maori kia kotahi he ture mo tatou kia kotahi he whakahaere mo tatou katahi ana ka mutu taku whakahe.
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He korero na Henare Matua raua ko Te Mitere kairuri o te KawanatangaWhakamāoritanga | TranslationWaipukurau
August 29, 1872
This is an account of the conversation between Mr. Mitere, Government Surveyor, and Henare and Hori Niania.
This is his statement: When I arrived from Auckland to Wellington, the government, Te Omana [Ormond], saw me and said to me, "You should go to Napier to see Locke who will tell you about the surveying arrangements for Tamaki."
Then I said, "This is perhaps a contentious land, as I have heard there is much trouble." Ormond replied to me, "It is only a small problem, just ten people are holding it." So I came, and upon my arrival at Napier, Locke told me, "You should go survey Tamaki, to separate the pieces of those people who do not wish to sell. They should go and show the boundaries of their pieces, and those who wish to sell should also go with you." Another instruction from Locke to me was that I should see you to discuss, as Locke had told me that you are holding Tamaki, and I should speak with you so that you would allow your people to go survey their pieces. That is why a letter was written for us to come
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here to discuss. One of the things Locke said to me was that if your people do not go to survey, I should go and survey the areas for sale and also the areas for people who do not wish to sell.
That is the end of that Pakeha's statement. Then Henare replied, with Hori and Maaka Pakeha listening. Henare's response to that Pakeha's statement was as follows.
Friend, your statement is good, saying the government's instruction is for people who are not involved in selling to go survey their pieces.
Friend, let me tell you this is an old instruction that was given before, at the time when we realised the first court sitting was wrong. Then request letters were sent to the Chief to have Tamaki re-heard by the court, all the way to Puketoi. When those request letters reached Te Penetana [Fenton], Fenton sent back letters of agreement saying the land should be resurveyed. When those letters arrived, a request was sent to the government to send Te Kakiki to conduct the survey, but he was not sent, and it was completely blocked by McLean. The copy of our letter is still in that cupboard. After that, Locke came to
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Waipaoa to distribute the money for Tamaki to the Maori people. Then I said to Locke, 'Friend, wait before distributing your money to the Maori. Let us first turn to working on the lands of these tribes to clarify which areas belong to the tribes willing to sell and which areas belong to the tribes not willing to sell. After that, you can distribute your money clearly, lest it become a problem for us in the future.'
Then Locke said to me, 'Friend, I will not listen to your suggestion, nor will I go against the government's instruction that sent me here.'
Then I said to Locke, 'That's fine, it's your decision, but my view is that this should be done carefully and properly.' Later, a great affliction fell upon some people of Tamaki, and they turned to searching for some other law for their salvation. They sent me to go to Parliament to seek some ideas. So I went there, making four visits to Parliament. The Parliamentary committee's final word to me was, 'You should return. All the lands that are in a state of dispute within the Hawke's Bay/Napier province should be returned to Napier to be resolved - Tamaki, Whenuahou, and other contested lands - through
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someone from outside the Napier government who will come as a negotiator for you all.'
When Parliament's direction ended, I returned home. After one week at home, a government agent came to see me to discuss completing the sale of Tamaki. The name of that agent was Taare Neana. After him came Wiremu, who also carried part of the government's message. Then Taare Neana came a second time with the same message, followed by Taare again, then Taare once more, and finally Locke. We spoke at my house, and his companion in speaking to me was Maka, followed by Peteriki, a store keeper here. He spoke again of the government's words.
This is the truth of what I said to you - that message is an old one. We have already requested a resurvey of Tamaki, but the government was not willing, absolutely not. This is the first time such a statement has come from the government's mouth. If the government had agreed to our previous requests, we would not have had to struggle to find relief from the hardships
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that have been imposed on the tribes of this island. Now you say the government sent you to survey Tamaki.
Here is my question to you: "which government sent you?" The surveyor, whose name was Mr. Mitere, said, "The government of Ormond and McLean." I asked again, "Which government created the troubles in this Province, resulting in the government of McLean and Ormond sending you to resolve the troubles that have come to this Province?"
Then that Pakeha said to me, "I don't know about any other government. The only government I know is McLean and Ormond's. I have also heard about the trouble with this land, Tamaki, but I didn't know the government was at fault until you just mentioned it." Then I understood in my own mind, "Your words are right, absolutely right. Perhaps the government knows its wrong in strongly opposing your words. If this is exactly what you told the government, as you're telling me now, that's very good. I'm very pleased with it.
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That is the source of your resolve - the government's abandonment of your views. I won't say this is a Hauhau activity, but rather you are seeking relief within Pakeha laws because that is the salvation of the Pakeha people - knowledge of the law. If you understand the law, your land will not be taken through ignorance, but rather, if it is to be acquired at all, it would only happen through proper legal procedure.
Then I said to that Pakeha, "Friend, here is another question for you: Who judges a murderer and a thief - themselves or someone else?" The Pakeha said, "Someone else."
I asked, "In your understanding, is it McLean's government that will judge its own wrongs, or someone else?" The Pakeha said, "Someone else." I asked, "Why did you listen to the directives of those thieves?" He said, "I didn't know any better."
I asked, "How do you feel now that you have come to understand this?" That Pakeha said, "I'm of two minds, but I should tap a telegraph to Locke." I said, "That's fine, it's up to you." The Pakeha said to me, "But when I return, we should talk again to be absolutely clear." I said, "That's fine."
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It is fine, so he left, returning after two hours with a telegraph from Locke.
I asked, "What does Locke's telegraph say?" He said, "Locke's communications tell me to tell Henare that the government has acknowledged him, and he should send his people to survey their pieces."
I asked, 'Will you survey all of Tamaki right through to Puketoi?' He said, 'Yes.' I asked again, 'What is the nature of this survey?' He said, 'I will survey the land according to ancestral custom/practice.' I asked, 'After your survey is complete, what then, will it be judged?'"
I asked, "By which court?" He said, "By the Maori Land Court."
I asked, "Isn't this the survey we requested before?" He said, "It is the same survey."
I asked, "What was wrong with our request for a resurvey that it has taken until now for it to be resurveyed?" He said, "I don't know."
I asked, 'Don't you know that the government has fallen?' That Pākehā said, 'I only learned of it from your words just now. Indeed, you requested a survey for the court, the government refused, and now they're requesting a survey again so that it may be heard a second time by the court. From this I conclude the government has fallen. I cannot deny what is true.' Then I
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said to that Pakeha, "Friend, your words are good. No one from the government has shown such clarity in their communication as you have. If all government representatives spoke with this same clarity, the Maori tribes would know that there is still salvation available from the government for the future. But as it is, there is nothing. The government only thinks about the welfare of its own people through its administration. Now, friend, we two have spoken together with complete transparency under this shining sun. Listen to me: I am not holding Tamaki. It's with all the committees. Those committees decide on your statement - whether they say yes or no. One thing: the people with Crown grants are struggling with the work - you can go to survey for them, it's up to you."
Then that Pakeha said to me, "Don't you want me to tap a telegraph to Locke?" I said, "That's fine, it's up to you." So he left, was absent for an hour, then appeared. P. "What did Locke say to you?" He replied, "Locke's message to me is that the decision about our conversation is mine." I asked, "Are you clear now?" He said, "Yes, I am clear." Then I said to that Pakeha, "So you are clear about Locke's message. Here is my message to you: please do not go to survey until I return from Waimarama.
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I will submit our conversation to all the committees, and all the committees will go to the gathering at Waimarama. That committee will have the final word on our conversation, either yours or mine." Then he said, "I should tap a telegraph to Locke." I said, "That's fine, it's up to you." So he left, was absent for one hour, and then returned. I asked, "What did Locke say to you?" Then he said, "Locke's message to me is that he wants to go to the gathering at Waimarama. He asks me to ask you if you are agreeable to him going. If you agree, he will go; if you don't agree, he won't go."
Then I said to that Pakeha, "It is good for him to attend that gathering. I have no malice toward the person himself; my objections are only to what has been said and communicated.
So it is good for him to go there and listen. If those particular people fail to make a statement, then trouble concerning this land will arise from the committee." Then he asked, "What is your final position on Tamaki in response to the government's final position?" Then I said to that Pakeha, "Friend, I have no final response to the statement of this government that stands now, because that government holds all the wrongs of this
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Province - Tamaki, Whenua Hau, Marutairi, and other places that were wrongfully purchased, and the mortgaged lands are also held by that government. That government knows very well the wrong. Why should it hold onto the wrong and insist that the Maori complete it on the Pakeha side? That's why I don't understand your coming with the government's message that has now reached the Maori, telling them to allow their pieces to be surveyed.
Perhaps if the request for the Maori to go survey their pieces came from another government, with instructions for you, then it might be clear - that would be a new government. But as it is, McLean is an old man who has been embedded within all the governments and all their wrongdoings. He is still the administrator, followed by Ormond. They have the same administration, so it's not clear why we should listen to the words of this government." Then that Pakeha said to me, "Friend, if I were the administrator of the government, I would be very ashamed. Indeed, if only one land was wrong, I wouldn't be ashamed, but since all are wrong, this can't be called a mistake - this is a major issue for you all."
Friend, your words are exceedingly good, they bring great clarity to me."
Then I said to that Pakeha, "Friend, here is my significant statement
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to you: I will not stop objecting to the government's actions. Even if another government takes power, I will continue to object. My objection to things in front of us will be small, because perhaps some areas will become clear for us to see. My main objection goes back to the past. The reason it goes back is that you came with knowledge of the laws. Indeed, it's not that buying came first and laws came later - no, the laws were there from the beginning, established by you before your arrival on this island. You already knew the laws. When you saw the Maori tribes living in ignorance, then you deliberately drove your knowledge into the ignorance of the Maori tribes, consuming the land. When you saw that the Maori tribes were suffering from your deceptions, then you invented and published your laws - perhaps out of fear of the Queen's oath regarding this suffering. That was the reason for your publication - so the Queen and other nations across the sea would believe you were doing good things for the Maori tribes. Therefore, I will not stop objecting until the Governor resolves his wrongs to the Maori, until we have one law for us all, one administration for us all. Only then will my objection end."
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This is a record of the conversation between Henare Matua and Mr. Mitere, the Government Surveyor.
Record of conversation between Henare Matua and Te Mitere. Ngāti Kere Archives, accessed 09/04/2026, https://ngatikere.recollectcms.com/nodes/view/1378