More Info →Otaki Maori Land Court Minutebook - 21 November 1879.

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Friday 21^st November 1879

Court opened at 10 am.

Present – the same

Himatangi – continued

Petihira Te Kuru appeared and pointed out on the plan the portions they wished for each hapu and also handed in a list of names for Ngati Teau and also that he was entitled to the largest share.

Roiri appeared and stated that they had agreed to give to the five hapu’s 2356 acres. All the hapu’s have agreed to this.

I hand in a list of names for portions of Ngati Turanga.

Renata Ropiha appeared for Ngati Rakau and handed in a list of names for that hapu and another for another section of the same section. The lists have all been agreed to.

I gave 100 acres to Ngati Whakatere to cultivate permanently and I want the court to make an order to them. Some of my hapu have objected.

Petihira appeared and gave a list of names which ought to go in the order for Ngati Whakatere.

Roiri said it was perfectly just that the 100 acres should be given to Ngati Whakatere and the hapu’s have all consented. We are all pleased at the gift. There is also a burial ground on the Ngati Rakau land.

Renata stated that they wished the burial ground fenced off.

Pitihira said he had leased a portion of south east corner to H. Simmons. It was a portion of Ngati Rakau land and all had agreed that they should receive the rent. Aihemate is the name of the of the burial place and is at the extreme south east corner.

The court informed them that they must give the names of trustees for the Wahitapu. I have it measured off so as to know how much it contains.

Claim adjourned in order to have reserve marked off.

To come on tomorrow.

Ohinekakeao – Neville Nicholson – 1043 acres – W.D. 393

Neville Nicholson – sworn

This land was adjudged to my mother Kararaina Whawha. When the large block Oturoa was investigated, the whole block went through as Oturoa 1000 A Aratangata 1754 but this piece has never been adjudged to my mother. She is dead and I wish to have the land Ohinekakeao given to me.

No grant for this piece after the whole block was subdivided has been issued. Ohinekakeao was left for my mother. There were 4 names given in for the other two blocks viz –

Tauteka, Pareraukawa, Rahera, Kararaina

Those names were for Oturoa Block only. One name was given in for Aratangata viz – Kararaina Whawha. I am not sure whether this piece was awarded. It was left in name of Kararaina. I have brothers and sisters but I only wish myself, Ema Nicholson (Winiata), Ngawiki Matene Te Whiwhi, Hukiki Waretini. This is all I have to say.

Objectors challenged.

Kipa Whatanui – sworn

This land has not been adjudicated on. My wife Heni Kipa has a claim. The title to this land is derived from Whatanui. It fell to him through his conquest. Te Hao never came here. He stayed in Hauraki. It was Whatanui’s conquest. We originally dwelt at Maungatautari.

The claimant said he would not admit Heni Kipa. When Whatanui came here, he did not conquer this block alone but all the Ngati Raukawa lands.

The mother of Heni never came on this land. My grandmother came on this land. She was Whatanui’s niece. The land was subdivided to them by arrangement and this land was subdivided off for my grandmother and mother. My mother had a cultivation on a part of this block. What my grandfather did was to drive – some relations of Kereopa who attempted to work on the land. I never knew of Heni applying to go to this land until today. Whatanui and Tuainuku both fought for the lands in this district. Whatanui was the greater chief of the two.

Court adjourned until 2 pm.

Court resumed at 2 pm.

When the lands were subdivided, Whatanui’s was outside the block and Tuainuku was given this piece. Neither Heni nor her parents ever came on this land because they had no title.

Xed by Kipa

My title is through my grandparents – Tuainuku – those lands granted to us come through Heni Pororangi. This land comes through Tuainuku. We don’t hold all Whatanui’s land. When the lands were subdivided, Tuainuku was given this portion for himself.

Ngawiki Matene Te Whiwhi – sworn

None of our parents exercised any rights over the land we subdivided it. Neither Heni Pururanga’s nor Heni Kipa’s side ever exercised rights over the land, they only subdivided it. They never cultivated in it. Wiritama and Ranginanganga never saw the land. WHatanui’s descendants have not many blocks. Wiritana and Hemi did not come into most of Whatanui’s land.

Xed by Assessor

I wish Heni Kipa’s name put in the order.

By N. Nicholson

Tuainuku has mana over this block. Heni ought to be admitted because she has not been admitted to --- blocks outside.

Whatanui and Tuainuku had mana over this land.

Natana Popito applied the claim adjourned until Ihakara Tukumaru comes as there was an encroachment. Ihakara will come this evening.

Court adjourned until next day.

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