Chapter I: Preface

This sketch of the history of the Waipa district centreing in Te Awamutu has been written especially with a view to interesting the younger generation of colonists, and the now large population on both sides of the old Maori border, in the uncommonly dramatic story of the beautiful country in which their homes are set. The original settlers to whom many of the events here described were matters of personal knowledge are fast passing away, and a generation has arisen which has but a vague idea of the local history and of the old heroic life on the Waipa plains. The book is designed to convey accurate pictures of this pioneer life and the successive eras of the missionary and the soldier, and to invest with a new interest for many the familiar home landscapes.

Much of the information given herein is published for the first time, and therefore should be of special value to students of New Zealand history. For the story of missionary enterprise the writer has drawn on a MS. journal written by the Rev. John Morgan, the first civiliser of the Waipa country; for the military history use has been made of an exceedingly readable MS. narrative left by the celebrated Major Von Tempsky, of the Forest Rangers. For the rest, it has been a peculiar pleasure to the writer, as one bred on the old Aukati border, to recall scenes in a phase of life which has passed away for ever.

J. C.

Wellington, N.Z.,
September, 1922.

CONTENTS

Page
CHAPTER I.—TOPOGRAPHICAL AND LEGENDARY 7

The beautiful Waipa country. The garden lands of Te Awamutu and
Rangiaowhia. Hills of the Maori border. The cone of Kakepuku.
Ancient fortresses. Maori tribes of the Waipa basin.

CHAPTER II.—THE MISSIONARY ERA 11

In cannibal days. Rev. B. Y. Ashwell the first missionary in Te
Awamutu. A feast on human flesh in Otawhao pa. End of the
inter-tribal wars. Rev. John Morgan comes to Te Awamutu. His useful
mission work. How Mr Morgan sowed the good seed.

CHAPTER III.—PLOUGH AND FLOUR-MILL 14

Mr Morgan introduces English methods of agriculture. Maori tribes
become industrious farmers. The coming of the wheat. Large
cultivations at Te Awamutu, Rangiaowhia, Kihikihi, and Orakau.
Grinding the wheat. The first flour-mills. Mr Morgan’s narrative.
Clatter of the water-mill in many Maori settlements. Exporting
wheat and flour to Auckland. Rangiaowhia flour sent to England. Sir
George Grey’s practical sympathy with the Maori.

CHAPTER IV.—THE GOLDEN AGE BEFORE THE WAR 18

Te Awamutu and Rangiaowhia in 1852. Mr Heywood Crispe’s
description. A land of corn-fields and fruit-groves. The
peach-groves of Rangiaowhia. Visit to the large Maori village. Old
King Potatau. Hochstetter’s view in 1859.

CHAPTER V.—JOHN GORST AT TE AWAMUTU 23

Mr Gorst as Magistrate and Commissioner. The educational
institution at Te Awamutu. A newspaper established. Rewi’s raid on
the “Pihoihoi Mokemoke.” Mr Gorst leaves Waikato. Te Awamutu
re-visited. The last canoe voyage.

CHAPTER VI.—THE WAIKATO WAR, 1863–64 35

Fighting on the Waikato. British and Colonial troops invade the
Waipa country. Paterangi and Waiari. The Forest Rangers. Von
Tempsky’s narrative of the war. Bishop Selwyn at the Front.

CHAPTER VII.—THE CAPTURE OF RANGIAOWHIA 40

Von Tempsky’s story. A summer morning invasion. Skirmishing through
the village. Siege of a Maori whare. Colonel Nixon shot. Dramatic
death of an old warrior. Heroic little garrison annihilated.

CHAPTER VIII.—THE ENGAGEMENT AT HAIRINI 48

Sharp action at Hairini Hill. Field Artillery shells the Maori
lines. A great bayonet charge. Defeat of the Maoris. Work of the
Forest Rangers. Looting Rangiaowhia village. Comedy at the Catholic
Church. Von Tempsky and an Imperial Colonel. The return to Te
Awamutu. A curious spectacle. “Those rascally Rangers have got all
the loot!”

CHAPTER IX.—THE INVASION OF KIHIKIHI 55

Rewi Maniapoto’s headquarters. British force occupies Kihikihi
village. Burning of the council house. Von Tempsky’s night
expedition. A fruitless march. Harmless skirmishing. Redoubt built
at Kihikihi. Te Awamutu the army’s headquarters. The first
expedition to Orakau.

CHAPTER X.—THE BATTLE OF ORAKAU 59

Most memorable battle in New Zealand’s history. Brigadier-General
Carey’s expedition. Von Tempsky’s narrative. Animated description
of the siege. Work of the Forest Rangers. Heroism of the Maori
garrison. The last day. A break for freedom. The soldiers in
pursuit. Maori narratives. The reply to General Cameron’s message.
Incidents of the siege.

CHAPTER XI.—CAMP LIFE AT TE AWAMUTU 79

The troops in winter quarters. Description of camp life. The
soldiers’ whares. The house-opening dance. Sawyers near
Rangiaowhia. The 65th, a model regiment. Soldiers become
capitalists. Looting the Maori horses. The romance of Ariana. The
hunchback and his flute. A militiaman’s heart and hand, and
Ariana’s scorn.

CHAPTER XII.—PIONEER LIFE ON THE OLD FRONTIER 84

Perils of the King Country border. An unknown, sullen land. Picture
from the north side of the Puniu. The pioneer settlers’ life in the
Seventies. The peach-groves of Orakau. A chain of blockhouses and
redoubts. The murder of Timothy Sullivan. Grave danger of another
war. Te Awamutu Cavalry Volunteers. Patrolling the out-settlements.
The return of peace. When Tawhiao came out. “The King of the
Cannibal Islands.” The peace-making dance in Kihikihi. The capture
of Winiata. Mahuki’s raid on Alexandra. Peaceful pakeha conquest of
the King Country.

CHAPTER XIII.—KIHAROA THE GIANT 96

A Folk-Tale of the Maori Border. The “Giant’s Grave” at Tokanui.
Fortified hills of “The Three Sisters.” The story of an invasion.
An army in ambush. The battle of Whenuahou. The death of Kiharoa.
Matau, the Giant of the Wairaka.

APPENDICES 101

Maori place names. The capture of Winiata. Mr Hursthouse’s
adventure in the King Country. Mahuki’s raid on Alexandra, and his
capture. The King Country railway.

THE OLD FRONTIER