A Legend of Kerikeri

Northland Age, Volume 1, Issue 16, 22 January 1932, Page 1

A Legend of Kerikeri

[By H. Holt, Puketona] The following tale was told the writer some years ago by an old Native, who could give no date to the incident, save that it was before the coming of the Pakeha. There was then a large Maori population living in a hill pa near the Okura creek on the Kerikeri inlet, where a large area on the hill-top must have held over a hundred whares. The chief of this Okura tribe sent one of his wives with a message to an inland tribe in or near Puketona. The track. taken by the messenger then passed over what is now the Victoria Estate', and on through Oromahoe. As she did not return after several days, another messenger was sent to enquire at Puketona, who found the woman had never arrived. Search parties were sent out, and the murdered body of the woman was found near the Waitangi river crossing l , on the section now owned by Mr. A. E. Poynter, the body having been evidently dragged through the fern and left there. Suspicion fell on a tribe of Ishmaelites who dwelt in the vicinity of Ngawhitu, outlaws who roamed about in gangs of not less than four, and murdered any stray Maoris they came across. As long as the victims were slaves or of the common folk, no action was taken, as the outlaws were reputed to have an impregnable stronghold and were savage fighters best left alone. But to murder a Chief’s wife was an outrage not to be passed over lightly, and the neighbouring tribes combined with the Okura men to take vengeance. Many battles were fought, with varying success, with the Ishmaelites, who at first gloried in the scrap, but were ultimately so harassed with repeated attacks that the survivors fled to Hokianga and settled near the Heads, where they lived for several years. Getting tired of living in a hostile land, they returned to the Bay of Islands and camped near the head of the Mangonui inlet on the harbour. They visited the Takou tribes as new-comers from the West Coast, taking with them their sea fishing nets. On arriving at Takou Bay, there was the usual welcome and a korero after the nets were set, until the time came to haul them in. Unfortunately for the strangers, they had been recognised by some of the Takou Maoris, and a plan was quietly formed for their destruction. As the nets were hauled in the outlaws were given the lower rope to pull, while their hosts held the upper one. During the excitement as the nets were being dragged the last few yards, the Chief called out “Lower your rope, the fish are getting out.” As the visitors stooped to lower the rope the Takou men seized their concealed weapons and slew them all without resistance. Later, a body of warriors visited the camp on the Mangonui inlet and ruthlessly slew all the women and children. Not a single one was left alive.