Ngati Haua Deed of Settlement - Terabyte Interactive

NGĀTI HAUĀ DEED OF SETTLEMENT2: HISTORICAL ACCOUNT2.37 Meanwhile, the appointment of a Civil Commissioner to Te Awamutu in January 1862was met with suspicion and distrust from some Kīngitanga supporters, who resentedhis attempts to progress Grey’s rūnanga system. The scheme of “new institutions” waslargely a failure in the Waikato district.2.38 In October 1862 Ngāti Hauā hosted a large hui at their Peria pā to discuss the situationin the Waikato. Bishop Selwyn, who attended the hui, reported strong support for theKīngitanga. Much concern was expressed about certain Crown actions, including theconstruction of a military road from Auckland to Mangatāwhiri, and plans to putGovernment steamships on the Waikato River.2.39 In January 1863 Governor Grey attended a meeting of assembled chiefs at Taupiri nearNgāruawāhia. There are conflicting versions of what Grey said at the meeting.According to one account, Grey remarked in reference to the Māori King that, “I shallnot fight against him with the sword, but I shall dig around him till he falls of his ownaccord”. Some Māori interpreted this as confirmation of the Crown’s uncompromisingopposition to the Kīngitanga.2.40 Relations between the Crown and the Kīngitanga continued to deteriorate over theearly months of 1863. By the end of March 1863 a road had been constructed as farsouth as the Mangatāwhiri River. One dispute arose over the construction of acourthouse and police barracks at Te Kohekohe. Another dispute arose over thepublication of a Government-sponsored Māori-language newspaper by the CivilCommissioner at Te Awamutu, which adopted a strongly critical tone towards theKīngitanga. In late March a group of Māori seized the printing press and gave the CivilCommissioner three weeks to leave the district. The Civil Commissioner complied withthis demand.2.41 In May 1863 fighting resumed in Taranaki and continued into the following month.Some Crown officials feared the resumption of fighting in Taranaki might prompt anattack by the Kīngitanga on settlers in the Waikato.2.42 In early May, Waikato chiefs met at Rangiaowhia to determine the role of Waikato inthe Taranaki war. Wiremu Tamehana announced that Ngāti Hauā would take no part inthe conflict at Taranaki, and opposed any attack on European settlements in theWaikato by the Kīngitanga, as the Crown’s Civil Commissioner in the Upper Waikatoreported had been threatened by other iwi.THE WAIKATO WAR2.43 On 24 June 1863 the Premier outlined plans for war and proposed to confiscate theland of those who fought against the Crown. On 9 July 1863 a proclamation wasissued requiring all Māori living between the Waikato River and Auckland to either takethe oath of allegiance or retire to the Waikato. A significant number of Māorisubsequently left for the Waikato.2.44 A second proclamation, dated 11 July 1863, announced the Crown’s intention toestablish military posts on the Waikato River to maintain the security of the district. TheCrown considered these military posts to be a necessary response to recent events .The proclamation said that Europeans had been driven away from the Waikato andtheir lands and properties plundered, and that some Waikato Māori had beenresponsible for the murder of troops at Taranaki. The proclamation accused theWaikato tribes of planning a direct invasion of Auckland and of the murder of“peaceable settlers”.15