The history of Māori people of Whanganui is complex and during the New Zealand Land Wars included both collaboration and resistance, says Che Wilson, former Pou Arahi (CEO) of Ngāti Rangi Trust.
Che Wilson nō Ngāti Rangi, Te Atihaunui a Papārangi. Photo: RNZ/Justine Murray
As he shares his research and insights into the battles fought between Kupapa (crown allies) and Hauhau (Pai Marire followers) in the early 19th century, Che acknowledges his own links to both parties.
"On my mother's side the head of the Hauhau contingent was Matene Rangitauira – from him to me there are seven generations".
Che's father is a descendant of Te Keepa Te Rangihiwinui (known to Pākeha as Major Kemp) who fought as a Kupapa.
Whanganui cenotaph as it stood at Pākaitore/Moutoa Gardens, before it was restored. Photo: nzhistory.net.nz
In the mid-1800s, with the uprise of conflict in the region, Te Keepa fought against the Hauhau, in effect his own people.
He was a reputable military commander with the government forces and from the mid-1800s he participated in the campaigns against Ringatu faith leader Te Kooti Arikirangi Te Turuki and Riwha Titokowaru.
But over time the relationship changed.
"So we chased Te Kooti as a rebel and within 15 years or so he then becomes our prophet, we follow the teachings of Ringatu and follow the teachings of Parihaka … we establish a house Te Pou Tikanga a Te Kooti Arikirangi, so with that name it tells you we've then turned our focus from one of collaboration to one of resistance."
Battle of Moutoa
"We were told that the river ran red with the blood of father and son."
Moutoa Island is situated between Rānana and Hiruharama along the Whanganui River.
On 14 May 1864, a battle arose between the Hauhau people who resided in the upper side of the river and initiated an attack upon the Whanganui township.
Opposed to this and unwilling to let the Hauhau pass was the Ngāti Hau people, also deemed kupapa, who lived at the lower end of the river.
A battle on Moutoa Island took place at 7am on the morning of 14 May 1864.
Kereti Te Hiwitahi was the first to die in the battle. Matene Rangitauira was also shot and injured, on the kupapa side, his cousin Te Moro went to him in his injured state where Matene then tells him 'From horizon to horizon shall always be ours.'
"He was talking to his cousin even though his cousin was on the other side… and when I think about that… it's a tragic experience… because we were told Moutoa was the day that the river ran red with the blood of father and son, brother against sister where we fought against ourselves."
Major Kemp (Te Kepa Te Rangihiwinui). Harding, William James, 1826-1899 :Negatives of Wanganui district. Ref: 1/4-017123-G. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. /records/23116685 Photo: Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand.
Around 50 Hauhau and 15 Kupapa died at the Battle of Moutoa.
On the centenary of the battle a plaque was placed on Ranana.
A memorial statue at Moutoa Gardens in the Whanganui Township is a tribute to the one European and Kupapa that died.
Che Wilson says that every year on 14 May, a small karakia service is held to commemorate Moutoa and others choose to visit the site.
"As we paddle down the river every year we always acknowledge the Moutoa and Ohoutahi (Pā site) each time we go past… but more than that we acknowledge our different connections."
Che remembers the words of the late Kuia Rumatiki Wright which resonate with Whanganui iwi today.
"Resistance and collaboration are both valid forms of survival, if we are there at the time then we can debate that, but when we are not there, it's too easy for us to look back on history and pass judgement."
In moving forward and making right on the history of the families of kupapa, the one solution is the gifting of land, Che says.
"Land was given to kupapa tribes for services rendered… and so what Koro Mark decided to do to remember the acts but also to try and correct the wrong. He applied to the court to gift his shares back to Nga Rauru… My parents and others did it even though we are all Nga Rauru we aren't Nga Rauru to that place… It's one way of commemorating but also trying to navigate the complex nature of the decisions of our tupuna."
Thanks to Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi for allowing RNZ to record this series.
