THE CROWN, THE TREATY, AND THE HAURAKI TRIBES, 1800–1885

Marutuahu Confederacy at its nucleus, but included diverse groups—both original occupiers and more recent incomers with whom new groups were founded by intermarriage. It is pointed out that the zone of influence exercised by the sea-faring Hauraki iwi extended well beyond the perceptions currently held: to Mahurangi in the north, to Kati Kati in the south, and encompassing lands on the isthmus and on the western shores of the Thames Firth. Considerable dislocation of traditional settlement patterns had occurred as a result of the Ngapuhi invasions from the north in the first two decades of the century, but the Marutuahu Confederacy and associated iwi, along with the Waikato, had regained much of their lost ground by the time Europeans began to arrive in significant numbers at the Gulf Islands and on the Auckland isthmus. The dislocations of the preceding years were, however, a significant element in acceptance of Pakeha and in early land transactions, most particularly the negotiation of the missionary-sponsored `purchase' of South Auckland lands which is discussed more fully in the context of 'old land claims'.

Hauraki at 1840

[pp. 33–40] By the time the Treaty of Waitangi was presented to Hauraki Maori in March to July 1840, those groups based at points of contact—at Coromandel, Thames, Waiheke and Taupo (Orere Point)—were reported to be in a 'flourishing condition'. Reaction to the Treaty was divided, but unified in its concern for the integrity of the promises of the Crown. Some rangatira—more especially, those of Ngati Paoa and Ngati Whanaunga based at Taupo, Waiheke, and Coromandel—were prepared to sign, doubtless influenced by the prospect of continuing prosperity and promises of protection of person, property, and rangatiratanga. Others, most notably Taraia of Ngati Tamatera and Ngati Maru, refused to do so, doubting whether the Crown would respect Maori authority. They had already had a taste of 'gunboat diplomacy', had heard of the recent assertion of the British law against a Maori in the Bay of Islands, and were not prepared to relinquish their authority over their people, although they agreed that the Crown was free to do as it wished with Pakeha. There was no automatic acceptance of British precepts of law and Taraia continued to overtly reject the authority of the British Government. In 1842 he led a Ngati Tamatera raid on Tauranga, committing ritualistic acts of cannibalism and, pointing out that he had not signed the Treaty, argued that the adjustment of Maori affairs lay with Maori and not with the Governor. This was a view for which even the signatories had some sympathy, reflecting their increasing knowledge about past British treatment of indigenous peoples, and concern about the implications of laws issuing from New South Wales.

Old Land Claims Commission

[pp. 46–53] The first overt test of the Crown's integrity in Hauraki was posed by the Old Land Claims Commission. Some 113 cases were examined by the Commission. Thirty of these claims resulted in grants, representing a total of just under 68,000 acres, which was

2