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Tau Tohutoro | Reference NoHM00068Rā | Date1873/10/13Mai I Te Wāhi | PlaceWairarapaMai I Te Tangata | FromHenare MatuaKi Te Tangata | ToPaora Te ApatuKaupapa | SubjectReta; CorrespondenceTohu Matawhenua | Geo Coordinates[1]
Tūhonotanga | Related
Wāhi | PlaceKereitaoneKohikohinga | CollectionTuhinga ā-ringa
Tu-hinga / Whakamāoritanga | Transcript / Translation
Tu-hinga | TranscriptTranscript: Kereitaone Wairarapa
Oketopa 13 1873
Kia Paora Te Apatu
E hoa tena koe kia ora koe kia nuku atu ou tau i te ora roa a ma te atua tatou katoa heoi te mihi kia koe.
E hoa e te Apatu kua mana ta matou haere he nui nga take i mana ai Tuatahi - tae rawa mai matou ki Poneke nei kua tu nga Ture i te kawanatanga te whakahaere mo tatou mo nga iwi Maori ka kite hoki matou i nga iwi kua noho ki te taone e turaki ana i aua Ture ka tukua atu hoki ta matou putihana turaki i aua Ture ko nga iwi nana i turaki e rua ko te iwi Maori ko te iwi Pakeha hoki hinga katoa aua Ture kaore tetahi i tu te rua o nga kupu kia koe i te 27 o Hepetema ka takoto tetahi tina nui i au te hanga ko nga tangata i hui e 80, ko nga Pakeha, 4. Ko te Tapata ko Hiana, Ko Wiri, ko Taare ka mutu te kai ka tu ahau ki te mihi kia te Tapata ko nga kupu o taku mihi koia tenei E hoa e te Tapata koe i tera tunga o te Paremete i puta i tau mangai nga kupu mihi me nga kupu aroha mo nga iwi Maori heoi te Rongonga o nga iwi i te pai o aua kupu e puta nei i tou mangai he nui te hari me te koa he nui hoki te whakamoemititanga o nga iwi kia koe i taua takiwa i tenei tunga o te paremete hua noa nga iwi tera ka puta mai ano he kupu pai i tou mangai mo nga iwi koia te take o tenei noho e noho nei kua kore kei au kupu pai mo nga iwi e pai ana, erangi
Page 2:
kia rongo mai koe ahakoa kore au kupu mo nga iwi heoi ko taku huarahi e haere ai ahau me nga iwi ko te Ture tonu he ahakoa kore aku whakaaro mo nga iwi e oti i te kawanantanga te whakaoti ka tohe tonu ki te tono kore rawa e mutu heoi i te mutunga o taku korero ka hiahia katoa taua waru tekau me nga Pakeha heoi i te mutunga o taku korero ka tu a te Tapata ki runga ka mihi ki nga Rangatira i noho ki taua Tina ka mea tena koutou e nga rangatira kua hui mai nei ki tenei Tina e whakapai ana ahau ki to koutou huihuinga e whakapai ana hoki ahau ki te pai o ta koutou tina ki te pai hoki o nga kai e kai nei tatau e whakapai rawa ana hoki ahau ki nga kupu e puaki mai nei i a Henare Matua ki o matau aroaro ko oku hoa Pakeha nui rawa te pai taku tino kupu kia koutou kua mutu taku turaki i te kawanatanga tenei ano ahau kei te paremate e noho ana ki te ai a koutou putihana me tuku tonu ake ki au. te rua o aku kupu e whakapai ana hoki ahau ki to koutou kupu kia waiho te Ture hei huarahi mo koutou e whakapai ana hoki ahau ki tenei kupu e ki nei a Henare Matua e kore e mutu tana tono ki te Kawanatanga kia whakamana he Ture ma nga iwi Maori taku kupu kia koutou kia mau ki ta koutou i whakaaro ai e tuturu ana taku mohio tera koutou e ora heoi ana kupu ka hiahia katoa taua waru tekau ki te korero a taua Pakeha ka mutu te whakapai ka tu ahau ki runga ki te whakapuaki kupu ki nga rangatira Maori
Page 3:
ka mea whakarongo mai e nga Rangatira ko nga Tino take i karangatia ai tatou ki tenei Tina e Toru
Tuatahi he putihana Turaki na matou i nga Ture o te Kawanatanga mo tatou mo nga iwi Maori he mea naku kia huihui mai tatou ki konei whakapumau ai i a tatou whakahe mo enei Ture kia ata mohio ai ahau he tika rawa a tatau putihana kua puta nei ki te aroaro o te paremete, he mahara ake naku koia ano tatau e huihui ai kia Tika kaua rawa e haramai whakatunga te tangata ki to tatou huihuinga. Tuarua ko nga putihana tono Ture tono komihana ka tukua atu ki te paremete kia whakamana i runga i ta matau i whakaaro ai heoi ena kupu he kupu ano tenei kua riro mai te perehi hei ara atu mo a tatou korero kia rongona nga iwi o te ao ko nga nuipepa ma te tangata i te tau £1.5 kotahi rau ma wha ko te utu £1.5 mo te tau te Rua kua oti te Roia kua oti te kaiwhakamaori kua oti nga whenua ma te Hupirimi Kooti heoi ra e hoa nga kupu kia koe ma te Hapimanawa ma e korero nga korero kia koe.
E hoa tena koe koutou ko matua ko taina ko to whanau ko mokopuna heoi
na Henare Matua he mea tuku atu i runga i te mana o te Komiti Katoa.
Whakamāoritanga | TranslationGreytown, Wairarapa
October 13, 1873
To Paora Te Apatu
I extend my warmest greetings and best wishes for your health and longevity. May divine providence watch over us all. With these words, I conclude the formal salutations.
Dear Te Apatu, I'm pleased to report that our mission to Wellington has been successful for several reasons: Firstly, upon arrival in the capital, we were briefed on the legislation the government intended to implement concerning Maori affairs. We observed significant opposition to these proposed laws from the residents. In response, we submitted our own petition challenging the legislation. Notably, the opposition came from a diverse coalition of both Maori and Pakeha groups. As a result of this united front, all of the proposed laws were defeated. Secondly, I'd like to update you on a recent event. On September 27th, I hosted a formal dinner with 80 attendees, including four Pakeha guests: Stafford, Sheehan, Willie, and Taare. After the meal, I took the opportunity to address Stafford directly. The essence of my speech was as follows: "Stafford, during the previous parliamentary session, you spoke eloquently in support of Maori interests. Your words resonated deeply with our tribes, generating considerable goodwill and appreciation. Given this history, there was an expectation that you would continue to support in the current session. This gathering was organised with that anticipation in mind. However, we've noticed a lack of supportive statements from you recently.
Page 2:
While this is not inherently problematic, it does raise questions. Please consider my perspective: Despite the current lack of public support from you, our commitment to lawful processes remains steadfast. Regardless of any perceived indifference, we will continue to engage with the government through official channels, maintaining our petitioning efforts indefinitely. Upon concluding my address, there was a palpable sense of approval from all attendees, including our Pakeha guests. Following this, Stafford rose to address the Chiefs present at the dinner. He stated: "Esteemed Chiefs, I commend your presence at this gathering. The quality of this event and the hospitality shown are exemplary. I particularly appreciate the sentiments expressed by Henare Matua. My Pakeha colleagues share this sentiment. I wish to clarify that I have ceased my opposition to the government. My current role in parliament includes reviewing your petitions, and I encourage you to continue submitting them to me. Furthermore, I endorse your commitment to legal pathways and Henare Matua's dedication to ongoing advocacy for Maori-focused legislation. I urge you to maintain your current stance. I have strong confidence in your potential for success." His remarks were brief but impactful. The entire Maori contingent expressed a desire to engage further with Stafford. Once the expressions of approval subsided, I stood once more to address the Maori chiefs directly.
Page 3:
Fellow Chiefs and respected allies, I want to highlight the three primary objectives of this gathering: Firstly, To address our petition opposing the government's proposed legislation concerning Maori affairs. I convened this meeting to solidify our stance against these laws and to ensure that our petition before parliament accurately reflects our collective position. My intention was for us to come together, align our views, and present a unified front. Secondly, to confirm our strategy of submitting petitions requesting specific legislation and the appointment of commissioners. These will be presented to parliament for consideration in line with our agreed-upon objectives. Additionally, I have an important announcement: We have secured media access to amplify our message to a global audience. Annual subscriptions to our publication are available at £1.5 per person.
Lastly, I'm pleased to report that we've made significant progress in our organisational structure. We have successfully engaged legal counsel, appointed an interpreter, and secured premises for our interactions with the Supreme Court. That concludes my formal address to you all - spread this news far and wide. May our happy spirits carry this message forward, inspiring unity and hope among our people.
I extend my warmest regards to you, your parents, siblings, extended family, and future generations.
With sincere respect,
Henare Matua on behalf of the entire Committee
Oketopa 13 1873
Kia Paora Te Apatu
E hoa tena koe kia ora koe kia nuku atu ou tau i te ora roa a ma te atua tatou katoa heoi te mihi kia koe.
E hoa e te Apatu kua mana ta matou haere he nui nga take i mana ai Tuatahi - tae rawa mai matou ki Poneke nei kua tu nga Ture i te kawanatanga te whakahaere mo tatou mo nga iwi Maori ka kite hoki matou i nga iwi kua noho ki te taone e turaki ana i aua Ture ka tukua atu hoki ta matou putihana turaki i aua Ture ko nga iwi nana i turaki e rua ko te iwi Maori ko te iwi Pakeha hoki hinga katoa aua Ture kaore tetahi i tu te rua o nga kupu kia koe i te 27 o Hepetema ka takoto tetahi tina nui i au te hanga ko nga tangata i hui e 80, ko nga Pakeha, 4. Ko te Tapata ko Hiana, Ko Wiri, ko Taare ka mutu te kai ka tu ahau ki te mihi kia te Tapata ko nga kupu o taku mihi koia tenei E hoa e te Tapata koe i tera tunga o te Paremete i puta i tau mangai nga kupu mihi me nga kupu aroha mo nga iwi Maori heoi te Rongonga o nga iwi i te pai o aua kupu e puta nei i tou mangai he nui te hari me te koa he nui hoki te whakamoemititanga o nga iwi kia koe i taua takiwa i tenei tunga o te paremete hua noa nga iwi tera ka puta mai ano he kupu pai i tou mangai mo nga iwi koia te take o tenei noho e noho nei kua kore kei au kupu pai mo nga iwi e pai ana, erangi
Page 2:
kia rongo mai koe ahakoa kore au kupu mo nga iwi heoi ko taku huarahi e haere ai ahau me nga iwi ko te Ture tonu he ahakoa kore aku whakaaro mo nga iwi e oti i te kawanantanga te whakaoti ka tohe tonu ki te tono kore rawa e mutu heoi i te mutunga o taku korero ka hiahia katoa taua waru tekau me nga Pakeha heoi i te mutunga o taku korero ka tu a te Tapata ki runga ka mihi ki nga Rangatira i noho ki taua Tina ka mea tena koutou e nga rangatira kua hui mai nei ki tenei Tina e whakapai ana ahau ki to koutou huihuinga e whakapai ana hoki ahau ki te pai o ta koutou tina ki te pai hoki o nga kai e kai nei tatau e whakapai rawa ana hoki ahau ki nga kupu e puaki mai nei i a Henare Matua ki o matau aroaro ko oku hoa Pakeha nui rawa te pai taku tino kupu kia koutou kua mutu taku turaki i te kawanatanga tenei ano ahau kei te paremate e noho ana ki te ai a koutou putihana me tuku tonu ake ki au. te rua o aku kupu e whakapai ana hoki ahau ki to koutou kupu kia waiho te Ture hei huarahi mo koutou e whakapai ana hoki ahau ki tenei kupu e ki nei a Henare Matua e kore e mutu tana tono ki te Kawanatanga kia whakamana he Ture ma nga iwi Maori taku kupu kia koutou kia mau ki ta koutou i whakaaro ai e tuturu ana taku mohio tera koutou e ora heoi ana kupu ka hiahia katoa taua waru tekau ki te korero a taua Pakeha ka mutu te whakapai ka tu ahau ki runga ki te whakapuaki kupu ki nga rangatira Maori
Page 3:
ka mea whakarongo mai e nga Rangatira ko nga Tino take i karangatia ai tatou ki tenei Tina e Toru
Tuatahi he putihana Turaki na matou i nga Ture o te Kawanatanga mo tatou mo nga iwi Maori he mea naku kia huihui mai tatou ki konei whakapumau ai i a tatou whakahe mo enei Ture kia ata mohio ai ahau he tika rawa a tatau putihana kua puta nei ki te aroaro o te paremete, he mahara ake naku koia ano tatau e huihui ai kia Tika kaua rawa e haramai whakatunga te tangata ki to tatou huihuinga. Tuarua ko nga putihana tono Ture tono komihana ka tukua atu ki te paremete kia whakamana i runga i ta matau i whakaaro ai heoi ena kupu he kupu ano tenei kua riro mai te perehi hei ara atu mo a tatou korero kia rongona nga iwi o te ao ko nga nuipepa ma te tangata i te tau £1.5 kotahi rau ma wha ko te utu £1.5 mo te tau te Rua kua oti te Roia kua oti te kaiwhakamaori kua oti nga whenua ma te Hupirimi Kooti heoi ra e hoa nga kupu kia koe ma te Hapimanawa ma e korero nga korero kia koe.
E hoa tena koe koutou ko matua ko taina ko to whanau ko mokopuna heoi
na Henare Matua he mea tuku atu i runga i te mana o te Komiti Katoa.
Whakamāoritanga | TranslationGreytown, Wairarapa
October 13, 1873
To Paora Te Apatu
I extend my warmest greetings and best wishes for your health and longevity. May divine providence watch over us all. With these words, I conclude the formal salutations.
Dear Te Apatu, I'm pleased to report that our mission to Wellington has been successful for several reasons: Firstly, upon arrival in the capital, we were briefed on the legislation the government intended to implement concerning Maori affairs. We observed significant opposition to these proposed laws from the residents. In response, we submitted our own petition challenging the legislation. Notably, the opposition came from a diverse coalition of both Maori and Pakeha groups. As a result of this united front, all of the proposed laws were defeated. Secondly, I'd like to update you on a recent event. On September 27th, I hosted a formal dinner with 80 attendees, including four Pakeha guests: Stafford, Sheehan, Willie, and Taare. After the meal, I took the opportunity to address Stafford directly. The essence of my speech was as follows: "Stafford, during the previous parliamentary session, you spoke eloquently in support of Maori interests. Your words resonated deeply with our tribes, generating considerable goodwill and appreciation. Given this history, there was an expectation that you would continue to support in the current session. This gathering was organised with that anticipation in mind. However, we've noticed a lack of supportive statements from you recently.
Page 2:
While this is not inherently problematic, it does raise questions. Please consider my perspective: Despite the current lack of public support from you, our commitment to lawful processes remains steadfast. Regardless of any perceived indifference, we will continue to engage with the government through official channels, maintaining our petitioning efforts indefinitely. Upon concluding my address, there was a palpable sense of approval from all attendees, including our Pakeha guests. Following this, Stafford rose to address the Chiefs present at the dinner. He stated: "Esteemed Chiefs, I commend your presence at this gathering. The quality of this event and the hospitality shown are exemplary. I particularly appreciate the sentiments expressed by Henare Matua. My Pakeha colleagues share this sentiment. I wish to clarify that I have ceased my opposition to the government. My current role in parliament includes reviewing your petitions, and I encourage you to continue submitting them to me. Furthermore, I endorse your commitment to legal pathways and Henare Matua's dedication to ongoing advocacy for Maori-focused legislation. I urge you to maintain your current stance. I have strong confidence in your potential for success." His remarks were brief but impactful. The entire Maori contingent expressed a desire to engage further with Stafford. Once the expressions of approval subsided, I stood once more to address the Maori chiefs directly.
Page 3:
Fellow Chiefs and respected allies, I want to highlight the three primary objectives of this gathering: Firstly, To address our petition opposing the government's proposed legislation concerning Maori affairs. I convened this meeting to solidify our stance against these laws and to ensure that our petition before parliament accurately reflects our collective position. My intention was for us to come together, align our views, and present a unified front. Secondly, to confirm our strategy of submitting petitions requesting specific legislation and the appointment of commissioners. These will be presented to parliament for consideration in line with our agreed-upon objectives. Additionally, I have an important announcement: We have secured media access to amplify our message to a global audience. Annual subscriptions to our publication are available at £1.5 per person.
Lastly, I'm pleased to report that we've made significant progress in our organisational structure. We have successfully engaged legal counsel, appointed an interpreter, and secured premises for our interactions with the Supreme Court. That concludes my formal address to you all - spread this news far and wide. May our happy spirits carry this message forward, inspiring unity and hope among our people.
I extend my warmest regards to you, your parents, siblings, extended family, and future generations.
With sincere respect,
Henare Matua on behalf of the entire Committee
Letter from Henare Matua to Paora Te Apatu. Ngāti Kere Archives, accessed 09/04/2026, https://ngatikere.recollectcms.com/nodes/view/582