THE HAURAKI TRIBAL LANDS—PART I

At the hearing in August 1878,9 Hori Ngakapa Whanaunga claimed through his ancestor Te Ngaiho. He explained that Ngaiho was the younger son of Ngaiopoko, and that

he lived on this land up to the time of the Ngapuhi invasion, when we went inland leaving the land without any inhabitants. One of [Ngaio's people's] settlements was at Mekemeke on the Ahirau River, this was a cultivation, also Pakotai which was a pa about a mile distant from Mekemeke. Ngaio lived in this pa and as did his descendants up to the Ngapuhi invasion. [Ngaio's] elder brother Kuripongo or his descendants never lived on this land, they were living on and looking after other lands about Shortland. Whilst Ngaio was looking after this, Pariki Awhiowhio remained on this land for some time after the others had left, but having killed a Ngapuhi called Kahoi he also went inland after the others. Some time after the return of the tribes inland, Te Waka and I had a contention about this land, as he had included a portion of this land within his survey. This dispute was ended by Te Waka giving up the land to Hareta, some time after this dispute Waiparu went and planted potatoes on this land. He was a N' Tamatera, when N' Whanaunga heard of these potatoes they went and pulled them up and he ceased cultivating there. If judgement was given in our favour on this land, I should wish all the descendants of Te Kuripanga and Te Ngaio to have an interest in the land, that is on the eastern side of the Ahirau River. On the western side of the river Raika Whakarongotai and others own, we have no claim there.10

Ngati Tamatera counter claimed from their ancestor Te Tau. They said that Ngati Tamatera had cultivated the land, and had not been interfered with by Ngati Whanaunga.

The Court appears to have been influenced by the testimony of Eparaima Kingi, who claimed to be of both Ngati Whanaunga and Ngati Tamatera. He stated that the land on the

eastern side of the Ahirau River belonged to Ngati Whanaunga from their ancestor Ngaio, while the land on the western side belonged to Ngati Hinerangi from their ancestor

Putataka. Both Ngaio and Putataka had been given the land by Mahanga. He denied Ngati Tamatera's claim.11 Two descendants of Mahanga, Natanahira Te Urupa and Tamati Waka Te Puhi, confirmed the gift.

The Court delivered a judgement in favour of Ngaiterangi and Ngati Whanaunga.12 When

lists of owners were handed in, it determined that the owners of Ahirau 1, of 1480 acres, were Hori Ngakapa Whanaunga and 17 others of Ngati Whanaunga, while the owners of Ahirau 2, of 296 acres 3 roods, were Raika Whakarongotai and 18 others of Ngati Hinerangi.13

Award to Crown

The Crown in May 1878 (i.e. before it had passed through the Native Land Court) notified that monies had been paid for interests in the Moehau Block, and that purchase of the block

was being negotiated by the Government.14

9   Hauraki Minute Book 11 pages 237–247, 249–253, 257, and 272–273. Supporting Papers #J17.51–61, 62–66, 68, and 69–70.

10 Hauraki Minute Book 11 pages 237–238. Supporting Papers #17.51–52.

11 Hauraki Minute Book 11 pages 249–250. Supporting Papers #J17.62–63.

12 Hauraki Minute Book 11 page 253. Supporting Papers #J17.66.

13 Orders of the Court, 29 August 1878. Maori Land Court Hamilton Block Orders file C151. Supporting Papers #K7.6–7.

14 New Zealand Gazette 1878 pages 600–608, at page 606. Supporting Papers #W11.1–9.

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