Passing Maori Memories

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 7191, 24 June 1933, Page 6

Passing Maori Memories

NO. 146,

NAFAKIA (Pests) [Recorded by “ J.H.S.” for tlie Times. ] The innate simplicity and inborn honour of the Maori, especially in regard to hospitality, received a rude reversal from an early band of dishonest traders, whose operations at the various ports indicated an organised plan to defraud their opon-hearted hosts at overy place of call. Trading upon this credulity and the love of “tho iragrant weed” which they had learned to use, these scoundrels had actually Imported five hundred one-pound packets of dried dock seed which they traded out to tho Maoris as for planting tobacco. For this cause alone many a cultivation had to ho abandoned. Tho blue kiori (native rat) a harmless vegetarian, much esteemed as the only edible animal flesh food, except the coarse native dog, was exterminated by our hungry rodent, which multiplied in vast hordes, until cats were introduced. Of an altogether different character, but at first regarded with universal alarm, was the long-nosed pig of Captain Cook. About 1820, two pairs wero landed at an isolated mission station in the North. A frugal-minded priest proclaimed them Tapu (sacred). Within three or four years they over-ran the Maori plantations, and in several cases had actually raided the village, carrying off young children. In the absence of dogs or firearms, and feeding on the nutritious aruhe (fernroot) they grew to an immense size. Then they were rightly regarded as Nanakia Kai upoko (accursed pests) although introduced by their beloved missioner and by him actually made Tapu. His mana (influence) and even bis life was thus endangered. Tapu was a difficult thing to remove; but an old chief declares that after many thousand pigs were slain and buried, tho priests’ example and the delicious odour of roast P°rk prevailed to induce tho Maori to make it his staple article of diet. To these frugal feeders, pork became a pest indeed, for this newfound luxury brought disease and death to hundreds.