IWI / HAPU AFFILIATIONS
Paratene Te Manu was the son of Kau Te Awha of Ngāpuhi. Paratene
Te Manu was one of 14 Māori who visited England aboard the Ida
Ziegler in 1863. The party met Queen Victoria, appearing
before her in traditional garments. They travelled under the
patronage of the New Zealand government and William Jenkins, a
Wesleyan lay preacher from Nelson.1 Te Manu performed karakia for the group during
their sojourn.2 In a statement
written by Paratene Te Manu after their return from London he makes
some observations, and explains how he got to go to England and how
he survived the long sea trip to London:
I never heard Jenkins name nor saw him until January 1863... I
met Jenkins and Chasley outside the study. The study is the Māori
name for the Māori office where the Native Department is held and
where Governor Grey mets the natives... Jenkins himself...said...
Is it pleasing to you to go with me to England and this was the
first of my answers to him... What have I to do there? Jenkins
answered to see England and to look about.3
Te Manu did not give an answer saying he had to consult his
people. The next day he met Jenkins again at the 'study' and
Jenkins pressed him for an affirmative answer, suggesting he should
bring his wife. Te Manu's wife was deceased so he considered it a
cruel joke. On his way home that evening Jenkins asked him again
for his consent and Te Manu said maybe. Jenkins persistence paid
off and Te Manu agreed to go. The 14 Māori passengers travelled to
England in the cargo storage area and Te Manu stated it was
dreadful:
I had three shirts, two pairs trousers, one coat, one cloak, a
summer coat and one pair of stockings. I had two blankets of my own
and one I bought out of Jenkins money. Don't ask me about the
sheets for I had none. A pair of trousers was my pillow... None of
our Englishmen came and had prayers with us, neither did any of our
Pakeha's read the bible to us. We went to service when it was held
on Sunday for the soldiers. Everyday I read prayers in Māori and
read the Bible. I brought books with me. We were allowed by
sufferance to walk on the people deck; it was objected to but we
persisted.
Jenkins provided the group with food that they were not used to
and they felt the effects of a lack of fresh food.
Te Manu had a home on Hauturu (Little Barrier Island) from which
he was evicted in 1896 because the island had been sold. He died at
Ngunguru in Northland and was reported to be over 90 years old.4
NM
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