Fox and Whitaker made no stipulation for any reserves and they had an idea if the land was once surveyed it all became Government property.⁵⁰

This suggests that that the signatories required at least a small portion of the purchase monies, but were prepared to forgo the entire payment until they were certain that the reserves that they had been promised verbally and on paper were actually allocated to them on the ground.

The government made one further purchase agreement that involved the Katikati-Te Puna block, on 16 May 1871, with Pirirakau, Ngati Hinerangi and Ngati Tokotoko, for £471. Stokes explains that when the agreement was made, it was ‘a belated recognition of the rights of Pirirakau and other inland hapu which Clarke had refused to acknowledge in the dispute over the survey of the boundary of the Confiscated Block during 1866-1867’.⁵¹ However, from comments made by H. T. Clarke to Sir Donald McLean in February 1871, it seems that Clarke believed a need for money was a factor that motivated Pirirakau:

I have had lots to do here since I came. I have been meeting with the surrendered – both the Urewera and Pirirakau. Had a most satisfactory [meeting] with the latter yesterday have promised to go and see them at Te Puna. They are our only remaining Tauranga trouble and will be delighted to report that we have not a disaffected native in the district …. I may require a bonus of £400. Could I have it? This bonus would be really required to give to those Pirirakau in satisfaction of all their claims in the Te Puna Kati Kati Block – although [strictly] speaking they do not deserve a farthing – I have in all my dealings with [them] maintained [the] Tauranga confiscated Boundary of that portion which carried trouble from years ago – They have not disputed the point. I will raise the question again at our meeting – better to start fair and with a clear understanding.⁵²

Research submitted to the Waitangi Tribunal on behalf of Pirirakau suggests that it was actually Ngati Tokotoko’s poverty that allowed the Crown to extinguish the interests of these groups in the purchase area. Furthermore, the Crown negotiated with just one individual from Pirirakau whose authority to do so was not recognised. Reserves were not set aside in the Katikati-Te Puna block for Pirirakau while Ngati Tokotoko and Ngati Haua received land, to be held in trust, at Omokoroa.⁵³

⁵⁰ Mackay, Le 1 1867/114, NA. See Stokes, Te Raupatu, vol. 2, p. 114.

⁵¹ Stokes, The Allocation of Reserves, vol. 1, p. 53.

⁵² H. T. Clarke to D. McLean, February 1871, MS Copy Micro 0535, reel 45, ATL.