IWI / HAPU AFFILIATIONS

Taraia Ngakuti Te Tumuhia was an important chief of the Marutuahu people of Hauraki. His Tamatera whakapapa included Ngati Kiriwera and Ngati Kahuwhatiki. His father was Kaharunga and his mother was Rewa.¹

He had kāinga at Te Puru, Waiomu and Ohinemuru and was known to be cautious in all his dealings with Pākehā.² He refused to sign the Treaty of Waitangi and claimed instead his right to resolve all disputes by agreement or force, in the style of his ancestors.

Written accounts of his life focussed on his cannibalistic past and the details have remained in the minds of reporters for the graphic accounts of such feasting. This enduring account was reported to have taken place in 1842. After killing a large number of enemy from Tauranga, Taraia transported a contingent of living slaves to Kauaeranga in Thames who were then dispensed with in a hangi. Before leaving he ordered a display of heads stuck on poles surrounding the pā. He sent a basketful of cooked flesh to Te Horeta Te Taniwha who declined to feast, saying he had stopped this ancient practice.³ His staunch reputation made him the most feared chief in the North Island.

In June 1856 Taraia sat for his portrait taken by photographer J. Crombie, who was commissioned to take photographs of 12 Maori chiefs and send the images to London for publication in the London Illustrated News.⁴ When Taraia died at Thames in March 1872 he was thought to be over 80.⁵

NM