MAORI MEMORIES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 7 September 1939, Page 2

MAORI MEMORIES

. REWI MANA IA POTO. (Recorded by J.H.S. for “Times-Age.”) Many attempts have been made to express the significance of this Maori hero’s name —“David of brief influence” is given by some linguists, but that it quite inconsistent with the heroic character of the man or the tribe after which he was named. It may by inference rather refer to the “swift torrent of a waterfall.” So popular was the man and his exploits that a Melbourne Cup winning horse bore his name and fame. Rewi was for peace, yet he was ever faithful to the rights of his people. His tribal advocates pleading with him said, “We have been tricked and deceived; our land has gone like smoke; we have only the ashes; we are strong to fight or die.” Rewi replied, “Fight and kill all if you decide; but ships will bring untold numbers and kill all of us. In peace I guide, in war I will -lead.” They decided to war, and when General Cameron with 1500 men pleaded with Rewi and his 300 at Orakei to surrender, Rewi standing on the parapet bare to the waist said, “Ka whawhai tonu matou, Ake, Ake, Ake’’ (We fight on for ever, and ever, and ever). He then cut his way through a double line in the dark and with most of his followers lived in the safe recesses of' the great forest. His body rests beneath a monument of stones erected to his memory by his people and ours as a combined tribute to the hero of Orakei.