86 Transactiotu 



Chapter III. 



Anotlier dispute took place in the upper Rangi-tikei district about the 

 time of Whare-pu-rakau (see Table 2), when the Ngati Wahine Tribe came 

 from Here-taunga (Hastings). They came, a great army, with boasting 

 and pride, but they left with defeat and disaster, for they were opposed 

 by Tamapo and the sons of Tu-ka-roua at Whiri-nga-otau, and there they 

 left their pride as food for their adversaries. Those who escaped the battle 

 hid in a cave called Ana-roa at Atu-pae, where they also were cut off by 

 hunger and exposure. As soon as their friends became aware of the fate of 

 the taua, they determined on revenge, and raised a second party to send over 

 to conquer the victors ; but again their intentions were brought to nought. 



It seems that a lady n^yned Punaki-ao (see Table 2), from the upper 

 Rangi-tikei, was taken as a wife by Taraia (her own husband being away 

 at Whanga-nui at the time), and the two fled away to Here-taunga, and 

 dwelt there at Puke-hamoamoa. After a time Tutu-mohuta, who was Puna- 

 ki-ao's father, left his home at Awa-rua and went to visit Taraia and his 

 daughter. As soon as he arrived, Taraia asked him if he had met a war- 

 party on his journey, and, as he replied in the negative, Taraia advised him 

 to return immediately, telling him of the intention of the Ngati Tama- 

 wahine to take Patea. Without loss of time Tutu-mohuta returned to 

 Te Awa-rua, but found he was just too late, for the fires were still burn- 

 ing where the war-party had cooked the father of Whiti-kaupeka, who 

 belonged to Ngati Hau-iti ; but the enemy themselves had gone. The 

 chiefs of the Here-taunga party were Rua-te-km-i, Tawhao, and Rangi- 

 tau-ira ; and the manner of their attack was as follows : Coming upon 

 Whiti-kaupeka's party suddenly, they feigned hunger, and asked Whiti 

 for his dog as food, and when this was denied them they killed the dog. 

 After it was cooked they offered some to Whiti, who, wishing to prevent 

 trouble, took it ; but while he was eating they suddenly set upon him and 

 killed him. As soon as Tutu-mohuta found out which direction the war- 

 party had taken, he and his wife followed them up, and came upon them 

 at Manga-weka. The war-party tried to detain them until the morning, 

 intending to kill them during the night ; but they escaped unobserved, 

 and reached 0-hinga-iti, where Tumehau and Tumore, with a large party, 

 had gathered to resist the invaders. Immediately on their arrival a meeting 

 was held to decide on the best course of action, and while they were gathered 

 the war-party came upon them unexpectedly, being in the pursuit of Tutu- 

 mohuta. They fought there at 0-hinga-iti, the inland tribes combining to 

 resist the invaders ; with the result that Ngati Wahine were defeated, and 

 their leaders Rua-te-kuri and Tawhao slain ; but Rangi-tau-ira and Tu- 

 purupiu-u escaped. But again misfortune dogged their steps, for, having 

 reached Manga-o-hunu on their way back to Here-taunga, they were over- 

 taken by a severe snowstorm, so they took shelter in the cave 0-huake 

 (on the Rangi-po Plains) ; but, as the cold continued, they, and their fol- 

 lowers also, perished through hunger, cold, and exposure. In this fight 

 the invaders killed Tamapo, who had previously resisted them ; but other- 

 wise they had but little success, while their own party was practically 

 exterminated. 



After this fight Ngati Tama, Ngati Whiti, and Ngati Hau-iti lived 

 together as neighbours on the west side of Moa-whango. 



Soon after this affair Tahuna, a Ngati Apa chief, and his party travelled 

 from Whanga-nui to Rangi-tikei to visit Whare-pu-rakau. All went well 



