New Zealand’s Nation Builders

Evening Star, Issue 19918, 14 July 1928, Page 14

New Zealand’s Nation Builders

There could not bo a complete gallery of the nation builders of New Zealand without including a representative of the Maori race. Standing head and shoulders above his fellows in wisdom, loyalty, and bravery wo have Tamati Waka Nene, the great chief of the Ngapuhi, in the North Auckland district. It is difficult, almost impossible, to compile anything like a family history of a Maori chief who grew up to manhood during the savage and cannibal days of New Zealand.

From many sources I have gained scraps of Information about this nobleman of a savage race, and out of these I have endeavoured to piece together a story that should make us realise how much wo really do owe to those Maori chiefs of a bygone day who, amidst much temptation and disappointment, remained loyal to the British rule after having accepted it. In those early days there were times when the Pakeha settlers were standing on the edge of a precipice. The Europeans were lew and far between, and the native tribes numbered their thousands of warlike men and women who might rise at any moment and drive the settlors over the precipice into the sea. The fact that settlement progressed under those unsettling conditions was largely duo to assistance given to the Governor by Tamati Waka None, Patuono (his brother), To Who-

ENTRANCE CH STAGE

Tamati first appears on the scone of f British history in New Zealand in the year 1835, when a number of Native chiefs declared the independence of their country. Among the signatories to this document were the missionaries Henry Williams and George Clarke, and J. C- Clendon and Gilbert Mair, who were regarded as merchants. Thirty-five chiefs signed the declaration on October 28, 1835. \t a later stage eighteen more chiefs signed the paper, including Tamati Waka Nene. This document declared that Now Zealand was independent, that power and authority rested in the chiefs, and that, the King of England (William IV.) bo: requested to be the parent and protector of New Zealand. j fn the Lindane collection of Maori 1 chiefs in the Auckland Art Gallery is a painting of Tamati Waka Nene. ft' is a fine face that is there depicted, and out of it there shine those characteristics of nobleness and generosity which made him such a wise counsellor, bravo wanior, clever general, and exceptional peacemaker We owe this chieftain a real debt of gratitude and respect. On many a| critical occasion he threw himself into j the breach and averted dangers that' might have been fatal to the settlers! at that time. One who knew him per- j sonally says of him; “In conversation I his voice was as soft as a woman’s, but! in tho shout of battle it was terrible, and it could be heard above tho clash of arms and the din of conflict. He had 1 but one son, whom my mother nursed ■ in his last illness, and after the boy’s! death, when Neuo came to our house, j he could not speak of his loss without i tears, or thank her too much for that kindness that seemed to him to have; been all in vain.” 1

PERSONAL EPISODES

Away back in the year 1337 a strange character arrived in Now Zealand in the Nimrod.' This was an Englishman styled Baron Do Thierry. Ho was by birth and education a gentleman, but visionary in his outlook on life. Ho proclaimed himself as “ Tho sovereign chief of New Zealand.” He had mot Hongi at Cambridge University in 1820. Mr Kendall had • then received from him thirty-six axes to buy land for him on Mr Kendall’s return to New Zealand, in virtue of those axes tho baron claimed an estate of 40,000 acres. The Maori chiefs smiled at the demands of the baron, hut Tamati, with Taonui, rescued him from an awkward situation by ceding him 300 acres of good forest land. They also said that thev were sorry not to have a good house to offer for the accommodation of the baron, the baroness, and their retinue.

During the year 1849 a midshipman was on dutv in New Zealand. On his return to England he gave an account of bis travels. “The nest man of whom I shall give an example of the species of Tommy Walker, or Waka Nene. a chief who has by his faithful services rendered himself respected by the Europeans. He generally dresses in a naval uniform, and when so dressed expects the customary salutation to which his assumed rank entitles him, being that of a post-captain; which mark of attention we never failed to pay him when he visited the ship. He has a nice little wooden house at Kororareka (Russell), and does tho

Tamati Waka' None’s real claim to fame lies in the fact that at a critical moment in the British occupation of New Zealand he was able to swing the Native chiefs into lino, so _ that they were, for the most part, willing to sign the Treaty of Waitangi. Realising the need of Tamati’s presence, Mr Busby, the British Resident, sent him the following letter, now ’’ondered in English. Of the 30 day of January, 1840. 0 my dear friend,—Herewith something special from me to you. A man-of-war vessel has called here particularly with a certain chief on board. He is sent by the Queen of England as a Governor for us. Now he desires that as many representative chiefs as possible be gathered together bv Wednesday of next week to see him 1 now therefore say to ' you, 0 friend, make your arrangements to come along hero to Waitangi, to my homo here, to this gathering and meeting. For you, yourself, aro a typical representative chief, and will be welcomed to the meeting as such. That is all. Mine ends here. From your sincere friend, From Te Pram (Mr Busby). To Tamati Waka Nene. On the sth of February, 1840, a mass meeting of Maori chiefs took place on the north bank of the Waitangi River mouth. Here the celebrated treaty was read and explained. A yerv heated discussion followed, and several chiefs expressed views that were distinctly hostile. The issue was hanging in the haluice when Tamati rose to speak. Felton Matthew savs “ iNene spoke in a strain of fervid and impassioned eloquence such as I never before beard, and which immediately turned the tide in our favour." It is worth while putting Tamati’s speech on record, although cold type and the English tongue can give no adequate idea of the effect the address would-have upon the assembled Maoris, There is some conflict of ewdonce surroundingthe circumstances that led up to Tamati’s speech. The Rev. Mr Ironside, a Wesleyan missionary,

No 7—-Tamati Waka Nene* Chieftain, Warrior, Loyalist [Written by W. B. Scott, for the 1 Evening Star,’] [Axa. Eights Reserved.]

rowhero, Te Puui, and other loyal chiefs.

Hone Heke—a mission pupil, a malcontent, and eventually a rebel general—was the nephew of the famous Hongi, who had been received by King William IV. when Hongi visited England in 182 U. Tamati Waka Nene was allied by blood with both families, although that made no difference to his opposition to Heke when that warrior became a rebel. Tamati looked on Hoke as a spoiled and petulant child, and when Heke submitted at last to Governor Grey it was Tamati who interceded on Heke’s behalf, and prom-: ised that the rebel would behave himself in the future. In the bad old days of cannibalism Tamati had been Hongi's comrade on the .warpath. He had carried his musket and tomahawk as far south as Cook Strait, in a- great cannibal campaign twenty years before the coming of the British Hag to the shores of New Zealand. During the early years of the work of the missionaries Tamati accepted" Christianity and had joined the Wesleyan Church, to which ho gave the enthusiasm that he had previously expended in taking the lives of rival tribal duel's. At his baptism he was given the English name of Thomas W alkcr. The Maoris, being unable to give the English pronunciation, called him Taraati Waka, which titles were added to his old name of Nene.

Dr Bright, who knew Tamati at the time of tJio signing of the Treaty of Waitangi, describes him in these terms: “Ho is a mild-looking man of middle ago and tho deportment of a gentleman. To None, with his groat mental powers, his keen perception, and his capacity to read the signs of tho times, it had been long apparent that tho advent of the pakelia was inevitable, and that the Maori system was incapable of developing a stable system of government. To enter on a campaign of hostility to the pakeha would mean tho extermination of his own people. Ho saw that the Maori might lose some liberty ; but ultimate salvation 'ay in a foreign Bower strong enough to cs tabhsh justice and security.” It wa=‘ this conception ol the trend of events that dominated and controlled ids unswerving loyalty to the British cause. When trouble was brewing witli the Ngapuhi duels another historian records of Tamati. “ Wise in tho knowledge of men, endowed with a keen intellect and well-balanced reasoning powers, ho was the most able ol the Agapuhi duels and the best qualitied by natural gil ts and by his tribal standing to offer resistance te the disaffected sections of the Ngapuhi.” Antoher writer who had the privilege of personal acquaintance with Tamati says: “Ho had a singularly open, honest, and benevolent expression of face. Ho could be stern, but there was .itlio of cruelty or vindictiveness in his composition. He was the bravest among the bravo, a splendid Maori general, averse to. lighting until every channel of conciliation was exhausted. 4is bare word was as trusted - throughout the country ns the most binding.Mocument would be trusted amongst ourselves. He had the power ok attracting' men to his side, and they were ready to stand by him in life and death.”

honours to his visitors very well indeed. He studies to dt everything in European fashion. ... 1 have on several occasions dined in company with him, and could scarcely believe that so much good breeding and politeness could be worn with so much ease by a man born and brought up as a savage. I was amused at his asking those that lie considered his juniors to take wine with him. When the cloth was removed lie waietd patiently for tho health of Her Gracious Majesty to bo proposed. . . . i should think him about lorty-five years of age, but from hoing very much tattooed and from his not knowing his own ago it is difficult to arrive at it.” The same officer records an amusing Incident in connection with Waka Nene. With all the dignity of a high Maori chiei ; combined with the assumed dignity ot a British officer, ho was standing with a group of officers watching a Maori haka. Now and again, under tho enthusiasm of the chant, he would follow the motions of the dance and occasionally would slap his thigh Suddenly the call of tho wild proved too much for him, and, forgetting the position that he had assumed. he gave wa- to the abandon of the moment and joined with the assembled warriors in the haka. The strain proved to be too much for the dress trousers he was wearing. When the haka ,was over the trousers were in ruins, and Tamati was feeling very much ashamed of the figure that he had cut.

WAKA HEHE AND THE TREATY OF WAITANGI

says that Hoke’s violent harangue and his remark against Governor Hobson caused Tamati to come to him, saying that his heart was grieved with Heke’s violence. “ I said to him, ‘ Well, if you think so, say so,’ and he at once made his speech.’’ t The following is a translation of that remarkable address- “ I |hall speak first to us, to ourselves. ’.Natives (addressing them), what do you say? The Governor to return? What, then, shall we do? Say here to me, 0 ye chiefs of the. tribes of the northern part of New Zealand, what we, how we? [meaning how, in such a case, are we henceforward to act?]. Is not the land already gone? Is n not covered with men, strangers, foreigners, even as the grass and herbage, over whom wo have no power Wo, the chiefs and natives of this land, arc down low; they are high up, exalted What—what do you say? The Cover nor to go back? I am sick; I an dead, killed by you. Had you spoke; thus in the old time when the trader, and the grog-sellers came, had voturned them away, then, you could iveb say to the Governor ‘Go back,’ and i would havo been correct, straight; an.’ I would also have said .with you ‘Gr back.’ _ Yes, we together as one main one voice, ■■ But now as things aro, no no, no.” Turning to . His Excellency .he re,sumed: “O Governor, sit. I, Tamati Waka Nene, say to thee, sit. Do nr ' thou go away from us. Remain for r . a father, a judge,,a peacemaker. Ye. it is good; it is straight. sit tlr here; dwell in our . midst, Remai . Do not go away. Do not thou listen > what the Ngapuhi say. Stay thou, n friend, our father, our. Governor.’’ Tamati called to mind the position of his countrymen' before t! arrival of the pakeha, and told the that they could not possibly gove; themselves without bloodshed. He D sought them to place confidence in Cap tain Hobson as the representative i Queen Victoria by signing the treaty This turned the tide, and after that speech the result was not in doubt, although the actual signing was postponed for a few hours.

LATER SERVICES When ti> British Committee of the Wesleyan Church addressed the Secretary of State for the colonies a few years later on the question of the New Zealand Company attempting to break through the regulations of the Treaty of Waitanci they spoke of Tamati as a great Wesleyan chief whose influence decided the fate of the treaty. They also referred to thq fact that he had hazarded his life in supcort of the British Government during the war with flffike, and that he had been called by the Government “ Our faithful ally.” Attention was drawn to the great service Tamati was rendering by allaying the alarm amongst the Natives over the fear that the treaty might he broken. Tamati had gone to the chiefs of the north to assure them that their land. would not bo takon’ r without their will and consent. Captain Sotheby reported that the eblefs were pleased to see Tamati. and that his oresenco had been of much importance.

Space will not allow mo to sav anvt.bing of the events that led up te Hone Heke’s rebellion in 1845. Tamati, after endeavouring to smooth out the difficulties, but not succeeding, actively allied himself with the British. The attack upon Kororareka had created a state of fear and uncertainty in the minds of the settlers in Auckland. There was a general belief that the rebels were on their wav te Auckland to perpetrate a similar episode, which probably they would have done hut for the watchfulness, of. Tamati. His manv engagements with the rebels prevented thoni from carrying out their boasted intentions. So valuable were the services rendered by Tamati at this time that they were publicly recognised by Governor Grey, and Tamati was granted an annuity by the British Government. . Robert Hattaway, who was a coloursergeant of the 58th Regiment, used V> tcii an interesting story of this period “The continued assistance of Wak Nene, with his Ngapubi, together, wit tlie arrival of the headquarters of th 58th Regiment, had the effect of restoring confidence and a sense of security in the minds ot the Auckland people. The women ot Tamati Waka iSche’s tribe earned their provisions from Hokiuaga to the camp on their hacks. At the time the men were halfstarved in camp, and the wife pf Tamatr regularly visited the sentries on outpost duty in the early morning, accompanied by several women ot tho tribe, carrying small kits of cooked potatoes, and deposited one before each sentry on night duty before they returned to camp. Tho few . old sqjdiers still alive (1899) remember with gratitude these acts of kindness, as well, ns the ingenious contrivance of tho chieftainoss, Tamati’s wife.” Later on in his story Sergeant Hattawav says: “ All was, ready lor tho storming oi Ruapekapeka (January 4, 18-10), when Tamati appeared, very excited, beseeching tho Governor to defer the storming, as the rebels were then awaiting their approach. Tamati had at all times proved a true and reliable friend, -and probably had some means ol divining theirnutentions. The Governor was pleased to accept Tamati’s advice. and his action was the talk of tho camp. There is no doubt that following the advice of Tamati saved many lives.” On the following Sunday the pa was taken by strategy, and with very little loss of life. When this grand old chieftain died he was'buried in the little churchyard at Kororareka. Before he passed away ho asked his friends to abandon the usual Maori custom and allow him to lie in peace in a Christian grave. The Government raised a monument over his grave, with an inscription‘in both languages, expressive of its gratitude, and stating that Tamati was alike steadfast in his friendship for the British and in his labours to secure the best interests of his countrymen. “Ho was a'chief -of men, one who was as wise iti'‘”counsol as he was brave in war.”

This was a statement of severe and simple truth. Ho had been one of Hongi’s lieutenants, and knew the North Island from the North Cape to Cook Strait, and ho will go down to history as a man of savage ancestry yet noted for his wisdom as a counsellor and peacemaker, and a striking illustration of loyalty under foreign rule.