IWI / HAPU AFFILIATIONS
Hori Ngakapa had a distinguished start in life as a Ngati
Whanaunga leader. In 1851, he was one of several rangatira who
paddled from Hauraki to Auckland on their tribal waka taua
or war canoes Ahi-motu-kura and Hurawhenua; landing at Waipapa or
present day Mechanic's Bay.1The wrong they wanted put right was
the inappropriate treatment by Pākehā of Hoera, a Hauraki
rangatira. After making their presence known, they left Auckland
without spilling a drop of Pākehā or Māori blood.
In a newspaper account published in 1865 over 1200 Māori from
the confederation of Hauraki tribes and some Ngati Porou gathered
in Thames to discuss matters of war and peace between Māori and
Pākehā. They decided that they would not leave Thames to fight
against Pākehā but if troops came into Thames they would fight
them. To demonstrate his commitment to peace Ngakapa gave James
MacKay2 a dogskin cloak given
to Wiremu
Tamihana by Wi Tako Ngātata for Potatau Te Wherowhero to wear
as the first Māori King. Ngakapa was gifted the cloak from the whanau of
Wetine Taiporotu of Tainui, who Ngakapa assisted during a conflict.
The present whereabouts of the cloak is not known.3
Hori Ngakapa Te Whanaunga and his wife, Hera Puna took part in
the fighting and siege of Orakau. Ngakapa was famous for going into
battle with his Tupara (double- barrelled gun) and his stone mere. On the
occasion of a skirmish at Drury, Ngakapa ran out of ammunition and
didn't have time to reload his gun. Hera stood in front of him as a
soldier took aim to kill him, providing Ngakapa enough time to
reload and protect Hera.
Lindauer painted this portrait of Hori Ngakapa in 1878.
NM
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