REV. MOHI TUREI A BIOGRAPHY Mohi Turei was a prominent member of the Ngati-Hokopu subtribe or Whanau a Rarewa, as it was called in early times—a section of the Ngati-Porou Tribe. The subtribe was always prominent in tribal affairs, and it produced some notable men, like Kakatarau, who led the expedition against Tokaakuku in 1836 and his brother, Mokena Kohere, who led the loyal Maoris against the Hauhaus and defeated them in 1865. The former signed the Treaty of Waitangi, and the latter was called to the Legislative Council in 1872. He was also presented with a sword by Queen Victoria. Mohi Turei's father was Omanga of the Ngati-Hokopu subtribe, and his mother was Makere Tangikuku, of the Aitanga a Mate subtribe, Whareponga. He was probably born on Kautuku, the ancestral home of the Ngati-Hokopu. Mohi's first wife was Meri Te Rore, who bore him two daughters and two sons. It may be mentioned here that Rina, Mohi's elder daughter, for falling in love with the chief Paora Haenga, was banished to Te Arai, Poverty Bay, where she died, presumably of a broken heart. Strangely enough, Waiaka, Rina's younger sister, later married Paora Haenga. Mohi Turei was educated at Bishop William Williams' school at Waerenga-a-Hika, Poverty Bay. All the teaching was imparted in Maori; consequently Mohi knew no English, although with his intellectual ability he would have been a great scholar if he had known English. Even so, he was highly cultured in a Maori way. Mohi Turei was ordained deacon in 1864, the year before Hauhau troubles broke out in the Waiapu Valley. After the brutal murder of the Rev. Carl Volkner at Opotiki, the rebels decided to march to the East Cape district to enlist the co-operation of the Ngati-Porou Tribe. There was some reason for this, for the kingite movement had already been established at Wai-o-matatini, a tribal centre. The first step to meet the Hauhau menace was taken by Mohi Turei. Dressed in some military outfit, he hurried to Popoti, where his people, Aowera, had gathered for some subtribal purpose. When Mohi appeared on the scene his peculiar outfit attracted notice, and he was asked why he wore such strange paraphernalia. He told the warlike Aowera that the murderous Hauhaus had entered the Ngati-Porou territory, and they must be resisted at all costs and driven back. The Aowera at once prepared to meet the intruder. Although ill-armed, the Aowera engaged the Hauhaus at Mangaone in the Tikitiki Valley, and suffered at the hands of the rebels, leaving behind them, amongst others, two of their chiefs—Henare Nihoniho, father of the well-known Ngati-Porou chief, Tuta Nihoniho, and also Mokoare. Encouraged by their initial success, the rebels occupied Pukemaire, the flat hill above Tikitiki. Mokena Kohere was obliged to retreat to Hatepe. His relative, Hunia Huaki, was caught by the rebels and was killed after being mutilated. Mokena Kohere, with other loyal chiefs, was penned up in Hatepe for several months. Meanwhile, some of the Ngati-Porou subtribes went over to the rebels. Mokena Kohere, with a small garrison, would have been crushed but for the timely arrival of British troops from Napier. The Hauhaus were finally driven out of the Waiapu Valley, and, at Hungahungatoroa in the Karaka-tuwhero Valley, they were routed, about 500 of the Ngati-Porou surrendering while their instigators to rebellion escaped.