MAORI MEMORIES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 12 July 1939, Page 2

MAORI MEMORIES

THE THIRD VISIT TO KAIAPOI. (Recorded by J.H.S. for “Times-Age.”) Following up his idea of universal conquest, the Maori Napoleon sought an excuse to attack Kaiapohia, in preparation for which he and his warriors went via Picton and Kaikoura. Finding the previously devastated pa at Kaikoura recently deserted, they followed the tribe down stream and again killed most of them.

Rauparaha’s party arrived at Kaiapoi (then known as Kaiapohia) on a pretence of a friendly visit and “to exchange their modern weapons for the coveted treasures of greenstone.” On this same pretence Rauparaha could not enter the pa himself, well knowing that they would remember his previous treachery and retaliate. Six of Rauparaha’s Ngatitoa chiefs were killed in the pa without warning. This caused him and his warriors to hurriedly return to Wairau. The persistence of the remarkable old scoundrel Rauparaha is shown in his third attempt to avenge the death of a relative. This opportunity came when he met Stewart, captain of the barque "Elizabeth.” at Kapiti. Induced by the offer of a valuable cargo of muka (hand-dressed flax), Stewart consented to take his part in the mission of murder, pretending innocence of its object. On arrival Stewart visited the pa at Kaiapoi, leaving Rati and his GO armed warriors below the deck. He induced the Chief Tamai Hara Kui (Son of a Great Criminal) to come on board with his wife and daughter. They were bound and gagged while the warriors raided the village. No less than 50 chosen bodies were taken on board, and the brig set sail for a great feasl at Kapiti. At Otaki, Tamai Hara Nui was handed over to the widows of those he had slain, who hanged and tortured him. then cooked and feasted on his body.