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

descendants of 'original' peoples such as Patukirikiri, Ngati Hei, and Ngati Hako who were labelled subsequently as 'conquered' but who remained on the ground;3 and peoples such as Ngati Tara and Ngati Koi based in the southern spheres of Hauraki territory, and connected with Ngati Raukawa. Hauraki iwi also included incoming groups such as Ngati Pukenga and Ngati Porou, who were gifted lands for mum in tribal conflicts; Ngati Rahiri descended from early Ngapuhi and Mataatua tupuna; and Whakatohea—former captives and displaced persons who settled in the Ohinemuri region, were eventually emancipated, and developed into a cohesive fighting force.

In the seventeenth century the descendants of Marutuahu, allied eventually with those of Paoa, migrated first to the western coast of Tikapa Moana and conquered the preexisting peoples, known as Ngati Huarere, who occupied the lands surrounding the Firth. From there they expanded outwards, fighting Nga-Iwi-Oho on the Tamaki Isthmus, the Wai-o-hua, and Ngati Wai of Great Barrier. Initially in search of flax, they established settlements within the Hauraki floodplains where they came into conflict and eventually intermarried with Ngati Hako (thought to descend from Toi). This process of mutual incorporation is summed up by Turoa who comments that: All the present tribes of Marutuahu without exception are descended from Ngati Hako.'4 The process was repeated with other peoples who remained on the ground throughout this history of raids and migration; for example, further north, on the eastern divide of the peninsula at Whangamata and Whangapoua, Marutuahu fought intermittently with the Arawa people of Ngati Hei, but these people 'managed to maintain a certain aloofness from the turmoil' and retained settlements in the area.5

The Marutuahu-Paoa confederacy (who tended to be simply described as 'Ngati Paoa') raided as far north as Takapuna and Mahurangi, and left people under Kapetaua (of both Paoa and Patukirikiri descent) in occupation of Waiheke Island from which base they made forays, established marriage alliances (for example, with the people at Kohimaramara), and cultivated parts of the coastal lands and islands of the Waitemata Harbour.6 In the late eighteenth century, Marutuahu came into increasing conflict with Ngati Whatua who were moving into the Tamaki-Waitemata area from the north, and with Ngati Rongo of Kawerau. Clashes occurred after Ngati Paoa killed Tarahawaiki during shark fishing at Mahurangi. This incident was followed by further confrontations, including the sacking of Motukaraka and an attack on Taupo. In spite of these challenges to their predominance here, the Marutuahu-Paoa tribes had established and maintained a strong presence on the isthmus along the Tamaki River—most notably the large village of Mokoia and the pa, Mauinaina, on the west bank near Panmure Basin.7

3    Evidence of Mackay. Le 1 1875/12. A fuller description of the Hauraki tribes may be found in Turoa, Nga Iwi o Hauraki, The Iwi of Hauraki.

4      Ibid.

5      Ibid.

6    See L. Kelly, Tainui: the story of Hoturoa and his descendants, Wellington, 1949, p. 184; P. Monin, The Islands lying between Slipper Island in the South-East, Great Barrier Island in the North and Tiritiri-Matangi in the North-West,' report prepared for the Waitangi Tribunal, Wai 406, 1996, p. 16.

7    Monin, 'Islands lying between Slipper Island,' pp. 17-19.

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