Tamati Ngapora (or Manuhuri) was cousin to Te Wherowhero, better
known to Europeans as Potatau the first Maori King, the head chief
of the Ngatimahuta tribe of Waikato. He took part in the Waikato
war with the Taranaki tribes in 1829-30. On the introduction of
Christianity he was one of the first of the Waikato people to
embrace it, and eventually became a Catechist of the Anglican
Church. Te Wherowhero desired to have a place of residence at
Mangere, where the Maori who brought wheat from Waikato, via
Waiuku, to Auckland could stay for the time being. In consequence
of this an exchange was made between him and the Crown. Te
Wherowhero handing over an area in the Waikato district for a piece
at Mangere. Tamati Ngapora erected a stone church, and regularly
held services there, until the outbreak of north tribes with the
Waikato tribes in 1863. The Natives at Mangere, Pukekura, Pukekohe,
Pokeno and the other settlements north of Auckland were notified
that they must either make a declaration of allegiance to the Queen
or remove from the district. The majority joined the rebels. Tamati
Ngapora being among them.
(overleaf)
He being a man of quiet disposition took no active part in
hostilities, and on the evacuation of Waikato by its tribes he
accompanied them to Tokangamutu, which was then styled Te Kuiti
(the narrowing in) in consequence of the dimension of the Kings
lands by the conquest and occupation of the Waikato by Europeans.
Tamati Ngapora also changed his name to Manuhiri (a traveller or
sojourner) on account of the Waikato's having to occupy the lands
of the Ngatimaniapoto tribe. Manuhiri took a active part in
policies from that time to his decease. When Mr James Mackay Agent
for the General Government was attacked in his tent at Te Kuiti in
May 1880 by a Native named Ruru and narrowly escaped being
murdered- Manuhiri took the culprit by the ear and led him through
the settlement saying "who is this low fellow" let him be killed,
and at the same time condemning the attack in no unmeasured
terms.
Manuhiri was one of the old clan of high bred honourable chiefs
and was an unassuming, generous and peaceable
man.
James
Mackay -
14/3/01
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