Ngati Toa Rangatira Ki Wairau 2.19

Ngati Toarangatira ki Wairau

Te Rauparaha led a number of taua[i] from their main base in Porirua and Kapiti Island to Te Tau Ihu o Te Waka a Maui[ii] in the 1820’s. This taua defeated the iwi resident at that time including Ngati Kuia, Rangitane and Ngati Apa. Te Rauparaha then made the Wairau and Port Underwood areas their main South Island base and extended its interests further south right through to Kaiapoi.

Te Rauparaha journeys and battles with the Crown are well known throughout Aotearoa[iii]. The first Crown – Iwi battle in New Zealand occurred in 1843[iv] when the New Zealand Company attempted to illegally secure lands in the Wairau. The New Zealand Company ignored the fact that the land belonged to Ngati Toarangatira, (of which Te Rauparaha allocated lands to those iwi who participated in the taua) and subsequently what has become known as the Wairau Massacre, Wairau Affray or Wairau Incident at Tuamarino[v] is embedded into both Marlborough and New Zealand history. The aftermath of this incident however is not.

A number of treaty breaches against Ngati Toarangatira have continued to occur since Ngati Toarangatira signed the Tiriti o Waitangi[vi] on the 17th June 1840 at Horahora Kakahu in Port Underwood. For example, after Te Rauparaha was kidnapped, he was held to ransom, and Ngati Toa junior chiefs were put under pressure by the Crown to ‘sell’ the Wairau to secure Te Rauparaha’s release; the significant destruction that has occurred and continues to occur to Wairau River, and the Wairau Plain/Rarangi aquifers. Treaty breaches have continued to occur right through until contemporary times and fortunately these have now been addressed by Ngati Toarangatira (through Waitangi Tribunal hearings) who are currently negotiating a settlement with the Crown. The 21st Century will now bring new opportunities for Ngati Toarangatira to advance the wellbeing of their people.

Around 1827, Joseph Thoms arrived in Aotearoa (New Zealand). Joseph brought with him seamanship and boat building expertise. These skills were extremely valuable to Ngati Toarangatira commercial operations as they meant the ability to trade for European goods. Nohorua[vii] who was the father of Te Ua Torikiriki recognised this fact and gave his blessing to a union between his daughter Te Ua Torikirki and Joseph Thoms.

Given the continued loss of Maori land holdings during the 19th and 20th Century protecting the land interests of Ngati Toarangatira through the Maori Land Court has been a continued effort. Mere Te Hiko took an active role in Maori Land Court hearings held in the Wairau. As an ariki rangatira, her role in protecting land interests was recognised by the Court, and was held in high regard. Mere Te Hiko was married to Apareta Rore Pukekohatu[viii], and they are both recognised as the last of the traditional arikinui of Ngati Toarangatira and Ngati Rarua in the Wairau.

Through the 1940’s to 1970’s, the colonisation process had taken its toll. It was during this period of time that Ngati Toarangatira tamariki[ix] were discouraged (and often punished) for speaking Te Reo Maori at school. The language was lost over two generations, as were some of the ‘old ways’ as Maori assimilation into European culture continued. A number of floods hit Wairau Pa during this period of time which affected both health and housing. Wairau Pa was however, a hive of activity with Ngati Toarangatira, Rangitane and Ngati Rarua living on what used to be the Wairau Native Reserve. Fond memories of Christmas rounds, Puketea (Whites Bay) picnics, sporting events and fishing expeditions are still recalled today.
In contemporary times (1980’s through to 2009) has become a period of revitalisation or re-indigenous of Ngati Toarangatira tikanga[x]. Through this period, Ngati Toarangatira lodged a claim to the Waitangi Tribunal and are now negotiating a settlement with the Crown after it was recognised there were a number of treaty breaches; Ngati Toarangatira have been developing their commercial asset base which has predominantly included marine farming and inshore fishing[xi].
The impetus has been an iwi passionate about learning about their tikanga and history. This culminated in the development of the Ngati Toarangatira Manawhenua Ki Te Tau Ihu Trust in the early 1990’s, and chaired by the late Jack Luke. The Trust has been heavily involved with resource management issues taking our role as kaitiaki seriously by protecting our environment; as a past shareholder of Te Rapuora o Te Wai Harakeke providing essential health and social services to the community; providing strategic educational advice to a number of primary, secondary and tertiary institutions; and supporting enhancing community development for all Maori and the wider Marlborough community.

With Ngati Toarangatira interests in the Pelorus, Queen Charlotte and Kenepuru Sounds, alongside the vast Wairau Plans and Port Underwood, the workload is high and the resources for development miniscule. It’s the passion for improving the wellbeing of Ngati Toarangatira and the wider community that drives us forward.