More Info →Otaki Maori Land Court Minutebook - 20 April 1874

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Monday April 20^th 1874

Place – the same Present – the same Clerk – E. Young

Te Ao appeared and applied that Muhunoa No. 1 be made inalienable.

Application granted.

Moroati Kiharoa applied that Wahaotemarangai No. 1 be made inalienable. No objection.

Application granted.

Rangatira Kapiti No. 4 continued

Plan by Wyles and Buck.

Rapihana Te Otaota – sworn

I live at Porirua and belong to Ngati Toa, Ngati Tumania and Ngati Haumea.

I know the land before the court and my parents claimed a right to it.

I object to Tamihana’s claim.

When Ngati Toa lived at Waikanae, I was one of them. Ngati Toa thought that Kapiti should be a place of abode for them. They crossed over to Kapiti. Te Rauparaha and Te Rangihaeata went to Wharekohu also Kimihia hapu.

Other hapu’s went to Rangatira. It was Ngati Tumania, Ngati Hangai and Ngati Haumia that went there. There were four hapu’s who settled on this block.

The old men of Ngati Tumania, Te Otaota and Meke and Te Teke, Mahuranga – these all belong to Ngati Toa.

While living there, Noheroa and Te Aratangata came to Rangatira to live together with them. Te Rauparaha and others were living at Wharekohu for three years. They had been occupying Kapiti for three years when the Ngati Apa, Ngaitahu, Ngati K--- and many others crossed over. Rauparaha was at this time occupying Taepiro within the block.

Ngati Apa and Ngati Kahu--- fell in the fight. There were 800 killed by Ngati Toa at Waiorua. Te Rauparaha’s party did not take part in this fight.

It was after the fight was over that Te Rauparaha went to Waiorua. It was after that time that he occupied there. It was then that the hapu’s named by me occupied and cultivated the land now under investigation.

The heirs and descendents of those people are now in court.

After this, there was another fight known as Pehitaka. It was at this time that Rangihaeata and Rauparaha built a pa and lived in considerable numbers in the Rangatira Block.

Ngati Tama were on the island when Te Rauparaha was living at Wharekohu. Ngati--- occupied after Ngati Toa but not long after, Ngati Tama were occupying one side of Rangatira.

Pehitaka was the name of the chief who was killed there. He was the chief of the Ngati Tama.

About the time of Haowhenua, Rauparaha crossed over to this side. At this time when Rauparaha came over, Ngati Tama had gone over to Wellington.

After the Haowhenua fight, Rauparaha and Rangihaeata went over to Mana. There were many who accompanied them. Rauparaha and these people had lived at Mana for some time and thir hapu’s were living at Kapiti. Rauparaha and party came then to Tahoramourea – an island first off Kapiti. At this time, Europeans were living on Kapiti. I do not know how long the pakeha’s were living there. It was nearly up to the time of the Kuititanga. They were whalers.

It was then that Te Rauparaha thought of selling the block now under investigation for tobacco.

Te Teke, Tungia, Te Rangihiroa and Te Hiko heard of this. They came and objected and prevented it. Te Rauparaha was at this time at Tahoramourea. Te Rangihaeata heard of this and insisted upon selling it for tobacco.

In consequence of Rangihaeata wishing to sell the land, Te Teke consented. The block of land which they agreed to sell for a cask of tobacco was limited to the place where the houses of Rangihaeata stood. After this the Kuititanga took place. After these hapu’s occupying for some time they thought of letting Maraetakaroro. The person who let it was Te Ohu to Brown. At the same time the block of land granted to James Cootes was let to the same European, Brown.

It was Pairoroku and Te Ringa who let this last named Block.

Ropata Hurumutu heard of this and interfered. The reason why he objected was that he considered James Cootes was the proper person to let it. The lease was null.

Shortly afterwards Tamihana and Matene let Taepiro commencing at Taepiro and ending at Kahikaka. Matene and Tamihana were confined within Kahikatea and Taepiro. These were known as old boundaries. The sheep that were placed upon this block were Browns.

Wi Parata placed sheep upon his block at the same time. The sheep that were placed upon Wi Parata’s block belonged to Bob Gillett. It was Wi Parata and Ngahuka and some of Ngati Toa Te Maunu’s hapu who leased the land to Bob Gillett. I don’t know the number of years the sheep had been on the land when Tamihana went over to survey. Ropata Hurumutu, Ngahuka and others heard of this and broke the chain of the surveyor. I was at Waikato at the time.

Xed by Hoani Taipua

Which is the place that you admit Tamihana and Matene as the portion they let? Between Taepiro and Kahikatea. Te Rauparaha’s house was a little to the north of Te Kahikatea. This house was called Te Umukiohau. It was not a very big house.

Whose is the land between Taepiro and the southern boundary? Tamihana’s and Matene’s right up to the boundary.

Which is the portion that you object to Tamihana on? It is the name of Rangatira.

Do you object to Horo Hawea’s evidence on Saturday? Yes. I do, he is not an old man.

Who is letting Rangatira at this time? I have not heard that the name of Rangatira is let at this time.

Have you not heard that Tamihana’s mother is buried there? She is there.

Is Ropata Hurumutu’s statement false that his claim extends over the whole block? It is partly correct and partly false.

Point out the boundaries of Rangatira Proper? Te Rere on one side and Kahikatea on the other from one side of the island to the other.

Whose is Tuteremoana? It belongs to the hapu’s named by me. Rangatira is the general name of that block. There are minor names but Rangatira is the general name.

Who consented to the erection of the Trig Station? It was put up by the pakeha’s, the natives consent was not asked.

Nopera Te Ngiha – sworn

I live at Porirua.

I belong to Ngati Toa. My hapu is Ngati Kahutaiki.

I will speak about the boundary at Te Rere. That is an old boundary of Ngati Toa and the hapu’s named by last witness.

I came forward to give evidence relative to the claim of Te Teke at Maeneene which is hown on the plan.

Te Kahikatea boundary was TeWatarauihi’s. He owned the Karaka trees there. Ngati Toa and the hapu’s named lived there at Kahikatea.

A ship called “Kirore” anchored off Kapiti. By the arrival of that ship we heard that Te Pehi was still alive. Shortly afterwards Te Pehi arrived. Te Rauparaha and Te Hiko were at Hokianga. This was the time that the Ngati Whakatere migration arrived. At this time the different sections of the tribes went over to Kapiti to occupy it. These people had occupied Kapiti when Ngati Tama went over there.

It was Topiora who placed them at Otehu. Pehitaka was their head chief. Otehu is between Kahikatea and Taepiro.

Part of Ngati Tama lived at Wharekohu. There was a fight took place and Karewa was killed. Karewa was a Ngati Toa. He was killed by Ngati Tama. These tribes Ngati Tama assembled and built four pa’s - Taepiro, Otehou, Te Kahikatea and Maeneene. We – Ngati Toa – attacked Maeneene and Pehitaka was killed. Topiora made peace and the fighting ceased. Ngati Tama then came over to the mainland.

Kapiti might be compared to a hive of bees at this time. The people were so numerous upon it. The Europeans at this time settled at Cloudy Bay and the people of Kapiti divided and some went over to Cloudy Bay in consequence of the whalers having settled there. Some came over to the main land. Part of Ngati Toa remained at Kapiti.

At the time of the Kuititanga, Ngati Toa left Kapiti and came to the main land. Te Rangihiroa lived at Kapiti. After the Kuititanga up to the time of the embracing of Christianity – these two things were at the same time. Tungia and others laid off the boundary at Te Rere. I cultivated at Maeneene. Te Rauparaha on the land in question and cultivated too.

Te Rere was a boundary between different hapu’s. Ngati Tumama and Ngati Haumia were on the land at Maeneene. At the time that the people went over from this side and occupied Kapiti, we cultivated before Te Rauparaha.

I corroborate the statement of Matene relative to the sale as stated in Matene’s evidence – also I corroborate the statement of Rapihana relative to the sale.

Xed by Hoani Taipua

Had not Rangihaeata cultivations at Rangatira? I am not clear about his cultivations. Part of the land was rocky and part sandy. It was only the sandy part that was used by him. Te Rauparaha had a cultivation on Rangatira. Waitohi was Rangihaeata’s mother.

Had not Rangihaeata his mothers’ cultivation? It was his men who cultivated it.

Whose is this place now? It belongs to Matene. The other land from the Kahikatea to the southern boundary belongs at this time to Tamihana and Matene. I also admit Tamihana and Matene to the top portion by Te Rere. Matene and his party lived many years on the block in question.

Hira Te Aratangata – sworn

I live at Porirua and belong to Ngati Toa.

I know the block under investigation. I have a claim to it through my parents Nohorua and Te Aratangata. I claim at Te Kahikatea and at Rangatira. At the spring, Toko, Ruatahi, Te Whataupoko were relations of Noherua, Te Aratangata and Mahuenga and Te Rangihaeata and Rauparaha. These people were the principal claimants of the land and lived permanently there. I went to Cloudy Bay and left the persons named by me to take care of the land. My uncle Nohorua cultivated at Kahikatea.

Xed by Hoani Taipua

When was it you left the land to these people to take care of? At the time of Haowhenua. The place I left these people to occupy was between Rangatira Point and Te Maeneene. I cannot define the boundaries of particular hapu’s. I can mine, I did not cultivate on this land but Nohorua did.

Hohepa Heremona Nohorua – sworn

I live at Porirua.

I belong to Ngati Toa.

I claim this land. I claim this block of land through my grandfather who cultivated on it.

When the tribes divided, they came over to the mainland. My ancestors left this block of land Rangatira. No other person after they left cultivated after them. I allude to Nohorua and Aratangata.

Up to the time of Tamihana’s survey, I went to disturb the said survey. I fixed a line from Kahikatea and then cussing to Tuteremoana which includes my cultivation. My line continued on till it met Te Rere Stream. This line was cut under my authority. There were many with me. These other persons were Ropata and Pumipi, there were many others. These were the principal ones.

My grandfather had a cultivation at Te Puna.

Xed by Hoani Taipua

When this boundary was cut, whose land was it to divide? It was between myself and Matene Te Whiwhi. The upper portion also is Matene’s.

Is this the only portion of Tamihana’s that you object to? It is mine only that I object to.

Whose is the cultivation at Tuteremoana? The trig station is there. No work done on that place previous to the erection of the trig station to my knowledge. It was in 1871 that I went there. It was previous to 1871 that Tamihana surveyed.

Was it at that time that you were acquainted with the boundaries of your land? My fathers told me they had cultivations within my block.

Is Ropata’s piece within your block? Yes it is.

Did you hear of Te Rauparaha’s cultivations on Rangatira? No.

Is Ropata’s statement correct that he claims over the whole block? I am not clear about that. All I know is about the line at Te Kahikatea.

Can you point out the different blocks, Ropata’s, Rapihana’s and yours? Yes I can.

By court

Have you cultivated on this land? No.

Then you can’t know much about it.

Pumipi Ropiha – sworn

I live at Porirua.

My tribes are Ngati Toa and Ngati Haumia.

I know the land. My ancestors had a claim to it at Tokakawau. My ancestors cultivated there. I did not cultivate there.

I have a claim also at Te Maeneene. My grandfathers also had cultivations inland.

Hauora was one of my ‘tupuna’s. He was of Ngati Haumia and Ngati Paretetiro.

Xed by Hoani Taipua

My grandfathers had a garden at Tokakawau. Tokakawau is a rock outside but my garden was inland.

Did your grandfather cultivated this place? I have not heard so. I heard that my grandfather cultivated in the bush.

Paranihia Paruparu – sworn

I live at Otaki.

I belong to Ngati Toa.

I know a block called Rangatira but I know nothing about the map.

I have a claim to the land. I claim all Rangatira. This land belonged to my grandfather Mahurenga. Matene has a claim.

Te Rauparaha occupied under the right or authority of Mahurenga. Mahurenga was the uncle of Tamihana.

Xed by Hoani Taipua

I know Te Kahikatea. It divides our boundary from Matene’s.

Was not Mahurenga’s claim over the whole of Rangatira? Yes, extending to the upper boundary was all Mahurenga’s and to Te Rere. At one side – I claim this land for myself and Erenora. I admit Matene within our claim.

Erenora Rangiuira – sworn

I live at Porirua.

I belong to Ngati Toa and Ngati Hangai.

I claim at Rangatira proper. I claim the portion claimed by Tamihana. It is mine. My ancestors and my father claimed it. There are only three of us women who claim this block.

There are four hapu’s within this block – Ngati Hangai, Ngati Tumania, Ngati Haumia, Ngati Terakuao. Tamihana’s place commenced at Taepiro and from thence to Wharekohu. Matene’s claim is on the top at Pikiwahine.

It was through an ancestor that Tamihana has any right on the block. He has no cultivations on the block now under investigation. These are separate portions – the land is divided. Te Rauparaha at Wharekohu, Mahurenga at Rangatira.

Xed by Hoani Taipua

You are a sister of the last witness? Yes. Part of the last witnesses’ statement relative to the boundaries is incorrect. Our boundary is at Maeneene. I did not cultivate there, my ancestors did. It was Matiu who pointed out to me the boundaries I have mentioned.

Whose is the greater portion of this block? The hapu’s I have named over my particular block. I heard that Mahurenga’s cultivations were greater than Aratangata’s.

Honorable Wi Parata – sworn

I have no claim to this land. Tamihana and I have arranged about the portion which I claim which is within this map.

At the time that this land was let, the Rere was laid off as the boundary of the land to be let in 1847 or 1848. We laid off this boundary because I heard that it was an ancient one. It was fixed at Waikanae.

Rawiri Kirb was alive at that time. It was a meeting. It was disputed and I gained my points.

I will now go back a piece. The slaves of Te Rauparaha were at Taepiro and this land was not occupied. The people were living at Waiorua. At that time I heard that that place belonged to Ngati Haumia. I also heard that a house on it belonged to Rauparaha. I was letting the land adjoining. Rangatira was let also. I do not know who received the rents of Rangatira. I heard that it was Matene that was letting Taepiro and Cootes the other portion. I did not hear of any trouble or any disturbance about these rents.

The Native Land Court was not established at this time. This land was let up to 1862. When Tamihana went off to lay of his boundaries, I and Ngati Toa went, Matene did not go.

I saw Ropata laying off a boundary at Te Kahikatea. I went to lay off the boundary at Te Rere dividing my claim from Ngati Toa and Tamihana’s. They commenced to lay off their boundary at Kahikatea according to native custom.

I returned to Waikanae and left them there. On another day I went across again and found their line had reached up to the mountain. This was in 1871. I then went to Auckland. In 1872 it was surveyed.

Xed by Hoani Taipua.

How may europens were leasingland at Kapiti? Two. D, Brown and Bob Gillett.

Where was the boundary of the land leased by Bob Gillett? It was at Te Rere I heard. I cannot state where Brown’s boundary was. It came to Rangatira. There was no objection. It was Tamihana, Paurore, Ru and Matene received the rent.

Court adjourned till 9.30 am tomorrow.

Identification