More Info →Otaki Maori Land Court Minutebook 16 December 1878003

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Monday December 16^th 1878

Court opened at 10 am.

Present – the same

Turangarahui - continued

The proceeded to give judgement as follows: -

Certain families of Ngati Huia hapu were placed in possession by Te Rauparaha and Rangihaeata of the west end of this Block which was the only part then of any value. There canbe no doubt that at the time those chiefs had the support of the whole of the Ngati Raukawa tribe and though the Ngati Turanga hapu both them and since has laid claim to it. The court is of opinion that Ngati Huia’s to that part of the Block is clear and indisputable. The right to the eastern part of the Block are by no means so clear and looking at the uncertainty of the boundaries of the adjoining lands for which Interlocutory orders were issued by the Native Land Court some years ago but which are still unsurveyed. The court does not see its way to make any order respecting the portion east of a line from Peg 258 A to Arama Koraka’s peg at the north point of the Rahui Block B. Rangihewea’s descendants must either be admitted amongst the owners whose namesare now to be given in order his piece must be excluded from the order.

Order to be made in favour of

Tamihana Te Hoia, Karanama Te Kapukaiotu, Hapi Te Rangitewhata, Hoani Taipua, Kiriona Whawaro, Metera Te Karaha, Manahi Te Humu, Hutana Ngarepo, Maikara Rupuha, Nepia Te Rau and Te Rangihewea

Dr. Buller applied to have an order made in favour of Morgan Carkeek for £33.15.0 for survey charge.

Order granted. Fees £2.0.0

Paremata – a9 – r1 – p0 – Nahora Pekeia and others

Nahora Pekeia – sworn

I live at Otaki.

I belong to Ngati Kapua.

I know the boundaries of this land. I claim through occupation. I claim through Pekeia and Tehatahi. I have worked on this land when I was young. No one ever disputed our claim. We have occupied it up to the present. I had it surveyed.

I admit with myself, Paora Naihi Pekeia, Wi Kerei Tahatahi, Te Waka Naihi, Ruhia Paora (F 10 years), Rora Te Naihi.

Objectors challenged.

Manahi objected, said a small piece of his land was included – Henare Roera.

Hema Te Ao wanted to be included not admitted by claimants.

Manahi – sworn

I live at Otaki.

I claim a portion called The Pa Hanatana. I had horses and cultivations there last year. I had to look after the ferry and I built a house there before Haowhenua. Ngati Huia lived on the other side of the river.

I have never seen Ngahora living there. He left it long ago.

We came to the Pa Hanatana before Haowhenua. Ngahora left it about that time. The western part belongs to Ngahora. I had my piece surveyed in 1874. The first survey was made by Mr. C. Knight.

I admit with me, Manahi Te Humu, Henare Roera, Roera.

The piece I claim is an old Pa. We have cultivated potatoes on it. We live at Katihiku but it always recognises as ours.

Xed by T. Ranapiri

I lived on this land before Haowhenua with my brothers and others. Te Karamu died there. All our people cultivated there.

The Pa was a fighting pa.

I have seen Ngahora on the other part. I can point out the side of the pa - the real side of the pa has been washed away by the river. A portion is left which I can point out.

I paid for both surveys. I left the land when the river shifted to the south. I know that Ngahora had let it. I applied to him for part of the money.

I know where Horomona’s land he claims in Rotowhakahokiriri. I had a house there until the river shifted last year.

Ngati Huia lived on this land and also land outside. Toetoe – a big chief of Ngati Pare died there.

Te Roera – sworn

I live at Otaki and belong to Ngati Huia.

I agree with Manahi has just said. Pa Hanatana extends over this block.

I admit Ngahora’s title to the other half. P--- line as shown on the plan. We claim to the east. Ngahora owns the other part. The survey to the east of this block is Horomona’s. We were absent when the surrounding blocks were surveyed. When the survey of this land took place, Ngahora was with me. According to the first survey, the piece of Ngahora was laid off.

No questions.

Toetoe has a claim – he died there.

Hema Te Ao – sworn

I claim with Ngahora all over the block.

The Pa Hanatana is outside the block but its name extends all over the block.

Manahi and his people were the in the occupation of that Pa. He had a house there when he worked the ferry.

My claim to this land is through Ngati Toa and through having cultivations. My grandmother cultivated there. Manahi and his people came on in her name. The land belonged to my grandfather Toetoe – died on this land – he was chief of Ngati Pare.

According to Maori custom, the land of Roera should go to his descendants. My mother and grandfather both cultivated on it till all the tribes ceased in that neighbourhood. Toetoe was half Ngati Huia and Ngati Pare. If we did not take up the land, his Ngati Huia relations would.

Horomona was one of my witnesses and he stated that the land was mine.

I objected to Ngahora’s letting it. I admit Ngahora and his people as owners.

Xed by T. Ranapiri

I consider that Ngahora’s claim is good as is also the others – as far as the coach road. Hanatana was a Ngati Ranui – Ngati Raukawa took the pa and occupied it.

Ngati Pare claims all the block except the south eastern part.

My mother and all Ngati Pare left off working at the same time. Ngati Huia also left. Ngati Kapu also worked there. Wi Kerei’s father lived at Porirua. He may have worked on it formerly.

Close of opponent’s case.

Ngahora

The Pa Hanatana was not on this block. It went away with the river.

Manahi owned their land in the pa but we lived over the land with Wi Kerei. I don’t know whether Manahi or party had a claim to the pa.

Xed by Roera

The Pa was a fighting pa but is now washed away. Ngakuku fought against Hanatana and the whole of Ngati Raukawa.

I occupied the land before Haowhenua. When fighting commenced with Ngati Raukawa and Ngati Ranui, we went to the Otaki Pa. When fighting ceased, I resumed occupation. I never saw Moerara on this land. You never came near me about the survey of this land. Toetoe died outside this block at Rotowhakahokoriri. Hinerau worked on the same block not on this.

Manahi as Ferryman occupied all along the banks of the river. Manahi has occupied this as well as other pieces as Ferryman. He has always been Ferryman.

I deny that Hinerau worked on this land and Toetoe died there – it was outside. Horomona said so but I deny it. This pa was captured by Ngakuku. It belonged to its original name Ngati Kapu. Tahatahi went off from this land about the time of Kuititanga. He left it to us. It was before Haowhenua.

Wi Kerei – sworn

I live at Otaki.

I belong to Ngati Toa.

I never saw the Pa Hanatana.

When first Ngati Raukawa came, they settled by the sea. My father gave this land to three persons- Waaka, Kiriona and another and also other lands which they still have possession of.

I came back to this land in 1866. Waaka and his father were then living on the land. They placed me on it. I reserved my claims to the land and was admitted. I know nothing of Roera and Manahi’s claim to this land. They lived on another part. Kahupiri was the person through whom they came on to the land.

Had Ngati Raukawa been beaten by Ngati Ranui, they would have taken all the land.

Hapeta Rangikatukua

I live at Otaki.

I belong to Ngati Tikapiri.

I know this land. I claim the part on the west of this block. I have no claim on this part. It belonged to Wi Kerei and Te Waaka. Wi Kerei’s father gave me the piece marked 15 on the plan. I have always known this land as belonging to Waaka. I never heard of it being Roera or Manahi’s. Hinerau was on this piece.

I never saw the Pa. I don’t know exactly where it was.

Xed by Roera

You and Manahi have no claim. I have only heard of the Pa.

Paremata is the general name also Waiariki which has passed the court. I don’t know whether you have any other land or not.

Tamati Ranapiri – sworn

I live at Otaki.

I know this land.

I only heard that Hanatana did not stand on it. It was entirely swept away.

I put sheep on it 6 years ago. Te Rawiri and others came to me for rent.

Ngahora and his brother came to me about this claim – they pointed out their boundaries, Manahi also came. When he showed me his boundaries, I saw it was outside.

Tuainuku and others also came to me for money on account of the sheep running there.

All the other lands have gone through. This is the only piece left. The owner of the land to the north and west of this land could tell that Ngahora was the owner of this piece.

Xed by Roera

I paid those persons who I thought were the owners.

Xed by Hema Te Ao

I think this is the only piece left. I never heard of your objection to Ngahora about my lease. The owners of the land came to me not me to them.

Court adjourned at 1.30 for an hour.

Paremata continued

The judgment of the court was that Hema Te Ao had a claim on the east side and therefore must be admitted.

Order to be made in favour of

Manahi, Hema Te Ao, Ropata Te Ao, Hipora Te Whioi, Hema Ropata Te Ao, Paora Naihi Pekeia, Rora Hoani Tawhiri, Roera Hukiki, Tiaki Hawea, Henare Roera.

Henare Roera appeared and asked that his name should be struck out and Hoani Taipua’s name inserted.

Granted – Hoani Taipua to be added.

Fees - £2.0.0

Paremata

No plan – Dismissed

Rahui – Peneaha and others – Duplicate of Turangarahui

Dismissed

Rahui – a60 – r2 – p0

Arama Karaka – sworn

I live at Otaki and belong to Ngati Kipokiri.

I know this land. I claim it through my father who was the first Ngati Raukawa occupant and we have always held it and had no disputes over it.

The west line connected with Ngati Turanga. The east boundary, the Ngati Raukawa saw me survey and no one interrupted.

We have never placed anyone on this land.

A small piece at the south east end was given to us by Ngati Maiotaki. No houses on it formerly and some people buried there.

I admit with myself, Hapita, Hona Taupo, Arapita Te Umu, Ururoa Ripiea.

Objectors challenged.

(Heni Matene Te Whiwhi) – Heni Te Rae – sworn

I live at Otaki and belong to Ngati Raukawa.

Uhuroa gave me this land.

Ururoa – called

He stated that he had given the land or an interest in it to Heni.

I think the following people should be admitted

Hapeta Te Rangikatukira, Hona Taupo, Arapera Te Umu, Ururoa Ripia, Arama Karaka, Te Paramare h.c, Hemi Te Rae, Piwiki Te Horohau, Te Horohau, Hokopera

Arama Karaka

Mata is dead. Paramare is her son. He lives with me. He has a brother and sisters. Mata’s children to be put in the order to represent her one share.

(9 years) Adam Brightwell, George Brightwell, Alice Lucy Brightwell, Thomas Brightwell to act as Trustee.

Order to be made in favour of

Ururoa Ripia, Arama Karaka, Heni Te Rae, Hapita Te Rangikatukua, Hona Taupo, Arapera Te Umu, Piwiki Te Horohau, Hakopera and the children of Mata – sister to Adam Karaka, who is dead, viz – Adam Brightwell (10 years), George Brightwell (9 years), Alice Lucy Brightwell, Bramley Brightwell and also that Thomas Brightwell be appointed Trustee.

Fees - £2.0.0

Matitikura – a2 – r1 – p36

Hemi Koota appeared for Wi Rape

James Cootes – sworn

I am a relation of Wi Rape.

I know the land and I do not claim. Mihipeka is another claimant.

Kerehona’s claim is not on this land nor is that of Te Reinga.

I claim Wi Rape’s interest – he is dead. I consider myself and Mihipeka. It was given to Mihipeka by Pataramu about 30 years ago. She gave a part to Wi Rape. When Pataramu gave it to here, it was heavy forest. Kerehona had a piece given to him along side of this by Wi Rape – cleared and cultivated it and cultivated there every year except the last 4 years. Mihipeka leased her portion and Wi Rape his. The claim was sent in before it was surveyed and when it was surveyed Kerehona’s claim and Reinga’s was left out.

I wish only our two names inserted.

Kerehona appeared and said he had no claim.

Objectors challenged.

Oriwia – sworn

I live at Otaki.

I belong to Ngati Whakatere.

I have a claim on this land through my father Takuha. We cultivated there. Wi Rape was only a traveller. He came to my father and became one of us. He lived under my charge and eventually had a claim. He lived and cultivated on this land many years with the consent of Takuha. My father never gave him the land. Wi Rape gave the order for the survey afterwards it was surveyed by Kuti.

Wi died at my place in August 1877. He was lost in the bush. There were other lands which my father gave to Wi Rape. Other lands given to Wi Rape were adjudged to you.

We all came together to lease our land. I leased my piece, Wi Rape his, Mihipeka hers – all to one person. I did not object to Wi Rape’s lease.

Pataramu’s children are alive. I never heard them to the land being Hape. I consider I have more right to this piece than Pataramu.

I was present when you surveyed this land.

I told you that my grandfather had given Tamaitata his piece. You told me at the time, to go on to that piece and not interfere with anyone else’s claim.

I don’t object to Wi Rape’s claim.

I object to your succeeding him.

Mihipeka – sworn

I know this land Pataramu gave me. This land, a long time ago, I have cultivated on this land.

Wi Rape cleared this land. He lived with me as a servant. Wi Rape’s mana was obtained through me.

Pataramu gave the land as a gift. James Cootes should have Wi Rape’s. No one ever made any bother about it. I still receive the rent. Pataramu gave me and Wi Kerei other pieces of land. Oriwia had nothing to do with it.

Pataramu’s children were here at the court. They never objected to us. Oriwia opposed me and Wi Kerei in another piece that Pataramu gave us at a Maori committee which was given in our favour.

Xed by Karihana

This land belonged to Pataramu. It was not Te Ura’s. Pataramu gave us two pieces. Te Ura was away in Wellington when he gave us this land. Wi Rape gave this to Te Harina who is dead. He was Wi Rape’s nephew. Takuha’s land was all outside this land.

James Cootes – recalled

I claim on old Maori custom.

Wi Rape was a prisoner from the middle island. He lived with us at Porirua, Kapiti and here. He married one of our women. He was bound down as slave of Rakaihere and he has represented him and I am nearest relation of Rakaihere. When she died, he became my mother’s property. I had him afterwards and gave him cattle and horses. All the crops, he gave me. When he died, I claimed through the court for succession and was adjudged to me.

Mihipeka’s husband was my granduncle.

Court adjourned at 5.45 pm.

Identification