EARLY DAYS IN KAIKOURA

Press, Volume XCI, Issue 27695, 27 June 1955, Page 12

EARLY DAYS IN KAIKOURA

MAORI HISTORY RECALLED ‘ A plaque set in the north-west wall of the Kaikoura war memorial community centre is a reminder of the early days in Kaikoura and of its Maori history. As part of the centre was built on a Maori cemetery reserve, recognition of association with the Maori race has been made on the plaque as follows: “Battle of Niho Mango.” 1829. This plaque records that a portion of this building is erected on part of a Maori Cemetery Reserve. The Reserve was set aside to commemorate the 1400 members of the Ngai Tahu tribe who in defence of the Kaikoura Peninsula fell to the muskets of the Ngati Toa led by Te Rauparaha.” “Niho Mango” refers to a shark’s tooth with which the Kaikoura chieftain, Rerewaka, boasted that he would use to rip open Te Rauparaha should he encroach on his domains at Kaikoura. It was in seeking vengeance that Te Rauparaha, on hearing of the

boast, decided to come to Kaikoura. The battle, a virtual massacre of the Kaikoura tribe, thus became known as the “Battle of Niho Mango.” It has been estimated that in 1800 there was a Maori population of about 40Q0 in the Kaikoura area but because of the murderous raids of Te Rauparaha .in 1829, inter-tribal warfare in the district, and sickness there were only about 80 left when the first white settlers took up their runs in the 1850 s.