More Info →Otaki Maori Landcourt Minutebook - 10 April 1874.

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Friday 10^th April 1874

Place – the same Present – the same

E. T. Woon said – I went on to the ground this morning at Te Taewa – the clearing of Kingi as directed - Rawiri, Natana and Rawiri senior - their claims commence here. I and a number of the several claimants went in a line towards Waihoanga. The bush is very dense and we came to the source of the Waihohoru about 5 chains from Kingi’s clearing. We followd the stream to Natana’s line and found a number of his trees. Eruera pointed them out. I think they are on the boundary line. We then went to Ringawhati to the tree of that name.

I am satisfied is considerably above the bottom boundary and within Natana’s claim. I consider that the amount of land within Natana’s claim as claimed by Pene Arama and co claimants would not exceed 50 acres. The surveyor who accompanied us will be able to give evidence as to the direction of lines etc.

James Thomson – licensed surveyor said

I went on to the ground in company with the interpreter, the district officers and several natives. I took this tracing. Natana accompanied us. Natana pointed out the boundaries of his claim. There are no fixed points in or near.

Natana Pipito said – We had a conversation on the ground. Arama says the map is wrong. He said this morning that the Miro trees referred to in his evidence are within my boundary.

I pointed out the old boundaries. No portion pf Pene Arama’s land is included in mine - According to the boundaries as laid down by Te Whiti Rawiri and Kepa. This is not a new boundary but a permenant one.

J. Booth – district officer – said

I went on the ground this morning. We were unable to fix any points. Natana Pipito said this is only a sketch map and may not be right.

The court informed the parties that they must go on the ground and fix their boundary by actual survey and that’s the further hearing of the claim would be adjourned until then.

Court adjourned.

Waihoanga No. 3

Hekiera – sworn

I live at Otaki. I am a Ngati Moewaka and Ngati Maiotaki.

I have a claim to this land. My parents told me this land was given by Tungia to Kingi, Matenga and Rangiwhata. Tungia was a Ngati Toa. The descendants of Tungia now living are Ngahuka Atanahu. It was given to Te Kingi at Kapiti.

When Kingi came back from Kapiti he stayed at Paremata. After that, he came further inland and occupied the land on which this house stands (Raukawa). While here, Rawiri and some of his hapu went to Kukuterau to divide their land at Manawatu. Te Kingi, Matangi, Mohi Te Hira, Maika and Totoke and their wives remained here. Hotoke’s slave ran away. Hotoke followed her. She was caught by Rangihouhia and killed.

Kingi waited for the return of Hotoke, Kingi, Matangi, ---- and another there went after Hotoke. When they got to the bush a Huia feather on a tree and that land is still known by the name of Pare-o-Matangi. They went on to the cross road leading to Waitohu and along Waitohu to Maramakopae. They cut up the land as they went. They slept in the bush and went on. Two women joined them – Rangiwhaea and Raita – they returned to the cross-roads and went towards Te Rere and on to Ringawhati then down to Te Rahui where they slept.

In the morning they went on to Waihoanga up Otaki River to Te Waimenu thence to Onehunga and Apiti. They returned to Otaki and cut up the land and they came.

Afterwards they went on to the land to put up their snares for birds and caught birds there for many years up to the time I was grown up. I went with Kingi and my parents to catch birds. Mohi said this is Parematangi pointing it out. Kingi’s tree was also pointed out. At Te Rere, Tamati pointed out tree. I remained with Tamati at Te Rere. Moihi went away – Moihi returned and I went on with him. We reached Kingi’s clearing.

I was shown a tree there. This is on the block before the court. Moihi then pointed out his tree also on Waihoanga No. -. We remained there and Tamati joined us during the day. We all went on towards Maramakopae. Hira pointed me out his Tutu tree there. Tamati pointed out his farther on but all on this land.

We went up Maramakopae hill and I was shown the Miro trees there. One of which was Kingi’s bird tree. We returned – on our way back we caught birds and arrived on a Saturday night. Next Monday, we went again for a week – bird catching.

The boundary at Waitohe side, was laid off when I was grown up – between Kingi and Ngati Pare – laid off by Kingi. He then said to his younger brothers, you remain and occupy this land.

In 1849, I went to Auckland to school.

In 1853, I returned and went on to this land to catch birds and I have never seen Rawiri of or Te Kepa there nor any other there – Kingi’s own hapu.

In 1859, my father died. Moihi was my father. He never told me to give my land to Rawiri or anybody else. Since his death, my brothers and I have contained in occupation of this land. Last year, Rawiri Wanui went on this land to shoot birds. He lost his way. I went to look for him but did not find him.

When the northern boundary was laid off, Kingi said to Hira, the south boundary had not to be laid off. It commenced at Pare-o-Matangi to P---‘s land to my clearing to Ringawhati to Kingi’s Miro trees. This is the place Eruera spoke of yesterday to Maramakopae.

These are the boundaries of the old people I have carried them on to the Queens boundary. I don’t admit all Ngati Maiotaki on this land. Kingi, Hira, Mohi, Tamati, Maika

Xed Hoani Taipua on behalf of Rawiri

You object to Rawiri Senior? Yes and Kepa and Rawiri junior.

When did you first object to others? At Native Land Court Foxton – when the claim was sent in. I never saw them on the land before that.

Didn’t you hear that Rawiri got food from the government on this land? Yes and I objected to it and presented his getting it.

Isn’t Rawiri a relative or father of yours? Mohi is my father.

Which is Kingi’s hapu? Ngati Maiotaki, Ngati Kapu.

Which is Rawiri’s hapu? Ngati Maiotaki.

Wasn’t Rawiri present when north boundary was laid off? Yes all were.

Are these Tungia’s boundaries? No Kingi’s – Ngati Maiotaki have authority over this land.

Weren’t Kingi and Rawiri first owners of land at Manawatu? Yes of Kotikotirau.

Court adjourned until 9.30 tomorrow.

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