HETA TE KAURI.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 13502, 30 August 1907, Page 3

HETA TE KAURI.

By the death of Heta, which occurred some ten days ago at Mangaofaka, a highly respected and well known Maori passes from our ken. Heta was probably the most widely known Native in and around New Plymouth, having, been ,associated for the last sixty-five years with the advance of the pakeha civilisation in these parts. On his father's side he belonged to the Tupare Kino hapn or sub-tribe, whose lands lay between the Huatoki and Waiwakaiho rivers, and on the mother's side he claimed relationship with the Ngatirahire people of Waitara East. As an infant he was taken into the great pa of Pukerangiora, near Huirangi, whence most of the North Taranaki people fled at the approach of the great invading army of Waikato and allied tribes in October, 1831. When this stronghold fell to the invaders with horrible carnage in the following December, Heta, with • his mother, were saved from death and taken into slavery. They lived in the vicinity of Kawhia until the efforts of the missionaries, notably the late Rev. John Whiteley, induced the captbrs to release these unfortunate people. Then they were allowed to return to this district during the years 1841-42. Heta attached himself to the establishment of the late Richard Brown, merchant, and was one of those employed by that gentleman in the whaling industry" that he established at Moturoa, Messrs Barrett and Rundle also carrying on a similar business at the same place. His home from this time to the outbreak of the war in 1860 was at the Kawau pa, around the intersection of Currie and Gill Streets. Soon after this he took up his residence on the land of his wife, Ani Rophia, on the Hospital Road, and later on the Puketotara reserve, where he showed great industry. Heta was probably the most expert fisherman of the latter day Natives in these parts. He had an intimate knowledge of all the old fishing grounds along the sea coast between Oakura and Waitara. He also had a very full .knowledge of the ancient Maori history of middle and North Taranaki, which he was always ready to part with if properly approached. With Heta te Kauri passes one of the better type of the Maori race, a type common enough fifty years ago, but now, alas, rarely seen— a state of affairs for which we pakehas must take a big share of blame. The tangi is being held at the Kaianga, near Mangaoraka bridge, Devon Road, where deceased died. — W. H. S.