THE RETURN OF PEACE

Te Ao Hou, October 1956, Page 45

THE RETURN OF PEACE This battle however, brought to a close the war in the North. Each tribe had had its share of the fighting. Kororareka had been pakehas' territory, to Okaihau, Heke's: to Ohaeawai, Pene Taui's: ending at Ruapekapeka, Kawiti's choice. To continue would have meant a struggle to the point of extermination. Reckoning up the costs in lives lost during the fighting every one appeared to have arrived at the same conclusion, that an honourable peace should now be concluded. It may be of interest to relate here a story written by an ex-soldier in his diary. This story concerns the emmissary who on behalf of the Governor, asked Kawiti whether he had had enough of the fighting. The reply was “If you have had enough I have had enough, but if you have not had enough then I have not had enough either”. The pakeha replied, “You are a noble sort of a New Zealand savage”. The peace which followed was an honourable one with no lands confiscated. It no doubt brought happiness to the Maoris of the Bay. War had come to an end and men and women could return to their homes and families. Those who had been kept in readiness for any further fighting would now be disbanded. So Kawiti went to Whangarei to return one of the tribes who came to help—the Waiariki. One Waiariki warrior, Tuhaia, had lost his life at Ohaeawai. The meeting took place at Pukepato, a pa near Glenbervie on the road to Nganguru. This must have been an event of no little importance for the local tribes. For, was not this the Kawiti who answered ‘Yes’ to Whareumu's appeal for help against his enemies in the past? Was it not right that he should return the death of Tuhaia? “Ka tika”—quite right.