W. T. L, Tea VERS. — The Life and Times of Te Rauparaha. 65 



engaged, was directed against a pa at Paikakariki, occupied by the Muaupoko 

 who had fled from Waikiekie, which was taken after an obstinate struggle, 

 in which many of the occupants were slain, the conquerors remaining in 

 possession for nearly two months for the purpose of consuming their bodies 

 and the stores of provisions they found in the pa. They were there suddenly 

 attacked by the Ngatikahungunu from Wanganuiatera and the surrounding 

 country, and driven upon Waikanae with considerable loss. This event, coupled 

 with the threatening attitude assumed by that powerful tribe, and the fact that 

 the remnants of the Muaupoko, E-angitane, and Ngatiapa, Avere again collecting 

 in the vicinity of their former settlements, determined Rauparaha to abandon 

 the main land, and to Avithdraw the whole of his people to Kapiti until he 

 could obtain the assistance (which he still confidently expected) of his kindred 

 at Taupo and Maungatautari. He had no sooner retired to Kapiti, than the 

 Rangitane erected a large pa at Ilotuiti, on the north side of the Manawatu, 

 within the tract now known as the Awahou Block, where they collected in 

 force, and were joined by three Ngatiapa chiefs of note. Rauparaha hearing of 

 this, determined to attack them, and he and Rangihaeata marched to Hotuiti 

 with a well appointed taua, accompanied by Pikinga, who, on the arrival of 

 the party before the pa, was sent into it to direct the Ngatiapa chiefs to retire 

 to the district occupied by that tribe on the north side of the Rangitikei river. 

 This they declined to do, and Rauparaha then sent messengers to the Rangi- 

 tane, offering peace, and desiiing that their chiefs shoidd be sent to his camp 

 to settle the terms. Being advised by the Ngatiapa chiefs to accept the offer, 

 they sent their own head men to Rauparaha's quarters, where they were at 

 once ruthlessly slain, and whilst the people in the pa, ignorant of this 

 slaughter, and believing that hostilities were suspended, were entirely off 

 their guard, it was rushed by the Ngatitoa, and taken after a very feeble 

 resistance, the greater number of the unfortunate people and their families, as 

 well as the three "Ngatiapa chiefs, being slaughtered and devoured, such 

 prisoners as were taken being removed to Waikanae in order to undergo 

 the same fate. After this treacherous affair, Rauparaha and his force returned 

 to Waikanae, where they indulged in feasting and rejoicing, little dreaming 

 that any attempt would be made to attack them. It appears, however, that 

 the Ngatiapa at Rangitikei, incensed at the slaughter of their three chiefs, 

 determined to revenge their loss, and for this purpose had collected a con- 

 siderable war party, which was readily joined by the refugees from Hotuiti 

 and by a number of Muaupoko from Horowhenua. Led by Te Hakeke, they 

 fell upon the Ngatitoa at Waikanae during the night, killing upwards of 

 sixty of them, including many women and children, amongst the latter being 

 the four daughters of Te Pehi. At the commencement of the attack, a canoe 

 was despatched to Kapiti for reinforcements, which were at once sent, and 



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