Eruera Maihi Patuone - Pakeha Relationships

Pakeha Relationships

Both Patuone and Nene were highly influential in affairs of the developing nation of New Zealand and Patuone in particular, despite his military prowess, together with his brother-in-law Te Wharerahi, became known as Peacemaker. Pakeha also referred to him as the Father of the Pakeha since his protection afforded them the capacity to establish a foothold in what was a wild and challenging land, full of dangers to person and property.

At the negotiations at Waitangi on 5 February 1840, Ngapuhi chief Te Wharerahi spoke for peace and the acceptance of the European, and was duly supported by Patuone and his brother Nene. Patuone's influence was particularly strong at this gathering of northern chiefs for the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi; persuading a number of chiefs to sign this document on 6 February 1840. Thus, while Patuone would never shy from battle as a last resort, his efforts to avoid conflicts and to settle disputes through negotiation would always precede military conflicts.

Potential enemies knew of the warrior reputation of the Tapua family. Famously, in hand-to-hand combat in 1806, at the battle of Waituna, Patuone killed the Te Roroa/Ngati Whatua chief Tatakahuanui. Thereafter, in no small way, both Patuone and Nene were to contribute to the fame of Ngapuhi as a fighting force, even in the face of major defeats such as Te Moremonui in 1807 where the Ngapuhi taua (war party) were surprised at breakfast by a combined Ngati Whatua/Te Roroa force. While Patuone and Nene were not present at this fight, it was a major rout and many of the major chiefs of Ngapuhi present, were killed, including Pokaia, father of Heke and Te Houawe, older brother of Hongi Hika. Hongi's sister Waitapu was also killed and her body desecrated, all it is said as part of helping Hongi to escape to carry on in name and deed, the family honour now handed to him with the death of his tuakana. Hongi named one of his muskets Te Teke Tanumia to commemorate his sister's terrible death: she was slit open from the genital region and filled with sand.