the mana of Ngapuhi and such a challenge must be met!(1) Heke's grievances have been well set out in the excellent history of this war told to Maning by an old chief of the Ngapuhi tribe and published together with “Old New Zealand”. Speaking of the situation in the North in 1844, Maning records: “We had less tobacco and fewer blankets and other European goods than formerly and we saw that the first Governor had not spoken the truth, for he told us that we should have a great deal more. The hearts of the Maoris were sad and our old pakeha friends looked melancholy, because so few ships came to bring them goods to trade with. At last we began to think the (new) flagstaff (at Kororareka) must have something to do with it, so Heke went and cut it down…” When the flagstaff had been cut down twice and soldiers had been posted to defend it, Heke, according to Maning's narrative, sent runners to all the divisions of Ngapuhi to enlist their aid. Finally, Kawiti, Heke's elder relation, was appealed to and joined him. Tawai Kawiti gives his own account of the causes of the war on page 45. (Editor.) There was an all night gathering of leaders. Once more the ‘tatai’ or line of descent from Rahiri and Hineamaru was traced and described by the tohungas. The genealogical net when completed would cover the whole of the tribal district. Rahiri and Nineamaru, Ngapuhi ancestors, would bring a number of subtribes together: Ngatihine, Ngatitautahi, Te Kapotai, Ngatimaru, Te Waiariki and many others. Once these knew that the cause was right, the choice of partnership was backed by tradition. Heke had come to ask Kawiti to join forces with him to fight the pakeha. Kawiti belonged to an earlier generation, older and more experienced in warfare. With Mataroria, Ruatara, Paraoa, Motiti, Hewa, Mahanga and other warriors he had been an ally of Hongi Hika in many battles. His reply to Heke was ‘Poroporoa i nga ringa-ringa me nga waewae’ meaning ‘Cut off the hands and legs’. Their plan was that Heke should fell the flagstaff above the settlement of Kororareka while Kawiti with Kapotai warriors attacked the town. The outcome of these encounters has been recorded before and there is little to add. From the point of view of the Maoris, both offensives were carried out successfully. Heke succeeded in his task, the felling of the flagstaff. Kawiti sacked Kororareka, losing Pumuku, one of his warriors. A story is told of an encounter with an officer during the battle. Pumuku had fallen and the Kawiti (after a painting in Buick, New Zealand's First War).
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