IWI / HAPU AFFILIATIONS
Taraia Ngakuti Te Tumuhia was an important chief of the
Marutuahu people of Hauraki. His Tamatera whakapapa included Ngati
Kiriwera and Ngati Kahuwhatiki. His father was Kaharunga and his
mother was Rewa.1
He had kāinga at Te
Puru, Waiomu and Ohinemuru and was known to be cautious in all his
dealings with Pākehā.2
He refused to sign the Treaty of Waitangi and claimed instead his
right to resolve all disputes by agreement or force, in the style
of his ancestors.
Written accounts of his life focussed on his cannibalistic past
and the details have remained in the minds of reporters for the
graphic accounts of such feasting. This enduring account was
reported to have taken place in 1842. After killing a large number
of enemy from Tauranga, Taraia transported a contingent of living
slaves to Kauaeranga in Thames who were then dispensed with in a hangi. Before
leaving he ordered a display of heads stuck on poles surrounding
the pā. He sent a basketful of cooked
flesh to Te
Horeta Te Taniwha who declined to feast, saying he had stopped
this ancient practice.3 His
staunch reputation made him the most feared chief in the North
Island.
In June 1856 Taraia sat for his portrait taken by photographer
J. Crombie, who was commissioned to take photographs of 12 Maori
chiefs and send the images to London for publication in the
London Illustrated News.4 When Taraia died at Thames in
March 1872 he was thought to be over 80.5
NM
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