SrAck.— Traditional History of the South Island Maoris. 17 
he intended to take a long journey. When his arrangements were com- 
pleted, he took one fish, and fastening it to the end of a rod, bore it on his 
shoulder to Wairau. His tribe no sooner saw him than they recognized the 
symbol which indicated a troubled mind, and immediately guessed his errand. 
They gave him a hearty welcome and crowded eagerly round to hear the 
story of his wrongs. As he detailed the various circumstances their indig- 
nation rose higher and higher, and when he proposed to lead them against 
the Ngatimamoe young and old shouted with delight. It was agreed that 
the close relationship existing between himself and his wives shielded them 
from punishment, but that the insult they had offered must be wiped out 
by the blood of their tribe. Fearing to go near Tu te uretira lest the enemy 
should be warned, they took a very circuitous route and came upon the 
doomed pa at dawn. Apoka knowing it was the custom of the place to go 
early every day to fish, placed his men in ambush round the pa; directing 
Uhikore, a warrior famed for his bravery, to lie in wait under the principal 
chiefs canoe. His arrangements were scarcely completed before Paua 
himself appeared. He was a very tall man, and so powerful that, unaided, 
he could launch a war canoe. He placed his shoulder against the bow of 
his canoe to push it as usual into the water, when Uhikore rose and felled 
him to the ground. The cry that Paua was killed struck terror into the 
hearts of the Ngatimamoe, and ere they could recover themselves the place 
was stormed and taken. A few only escaped; the rest were either eaten or 
reduced to slavery.* 
Apoka, whose hatred seemed implacable, resolved to destroy that portion 
of Ngatimamoe over whom Tu te uretira ruled. He sent Uhikore clothed in 
the spoils of Paua to inform him of his design. As he approached, the 
garments he wore were recognized by Paua’s relations, who bewailed his sad 
fate with loud lamentations. Deserted by Tu te uretira, who returned with 
Uhikore to the camp of his victorious countrymen, and dreading an attack, 
the Ngatimamoe abandoned the settlements, and fled down the coast towards 
Kaikoura, where they remained undisturbed for some years. Having chosen 
a strong position at Peketa, on the hill-side at the mouth of the Kahutara, 
they built a fortified pa, and being joined by other sections of the tribe, they 
were emboldened to attack a fighting party of the Ngai Tahu. They suc- 
ceeded in capturing all the canoes but one, that of Te Kane, which escaped 
with the loss of the most of the crew. This led to a renewal of hostilities 
between the two tribes; a battle was fought at Opokihi, and again on the 
banks of the Kahutara, in both which engagements Ngatimamoe were 
defeated. They then retired within their fortifications, and Ngai Tahu laid 
siege, but failed for many months to effect an entrance. A council of chiefs 
* Fall of Waipapa is placed by some before the battle of Ika a whaturoa. 
