Te Kani-a-Takirau, ariki : a thesis as part fulfilment of the requirements for a M.A. Degree, Massey University

Abstract

Tihei mauriora! Ko Te Kani-a-Takirau te tihi o te karaka, ko Ngati Kahukuranui nga peka. Ka tuku whakamihi atu ki te hunga kua memene ki tawhiti, ki nga kura wananga o te po. Otira, ki nga kaihautu kua whakarerea te kakau o te hoe, manaakitia. He mihi kau atu ana tenei kia koutou kia tahuri mai o koutou mata ki te iwi e manokohia tonutia nga mahi kaingakau, nga kaupapa whakapakari te noho ki te ao nei. He takoha, hei whakamana te rangatiratanga o te tangata enei kupu ruarua nei. E te matua, Te Kani-a-Takirau, tuku mai o manaakitanga ki o iwi e rapa ana, e kimi huarahi ana hei whakatutuki i ohau wawata i a koe e takatu haere nei te whenua. Ko te mana, ko to iwi, kia hiwa ra, maranga mai ki runga ki te hautu i o waka. Mihi mai, maioha mai. This thesis has been prepared to contribute another perspective to the interesting and constantly evolving study of Maori leadership. In August 1992, the Sir Apirana Ngata Memorial Committee¹This committee was set up in 1982 to continue the Rauru-nui-a-Toi lecture series format compiled and presented by Sir Apirana in 1944. devoted a section of their wananga programme, held in Uawa²Tolaga Bay, a small township situated 56 kilometres from Gisborne., to the history of Te Kani-a-Takirau. The author of this thesis along with Wayne Ngata, and at the request of the committee and Te Aitanga-a- Hauiti³The descendants of Hauiti. The tribal group of the Uawa area., made a presentation which outlined in broad perspective some of the highlights of the life of Te Kani-a-Takirau and his contributions to the situation of his people. Subsequently, it was recommended that an attempt be made to organise and document the presentation so that the history pertaining to Te Kani-a-Takirau could be made in greater detail and in a way more readily available to Te Aitanga-a-Hauiti and Ngati Porou. Hence this thesis, which I hope will go some way to achieving that aim. [FROM PREFACE]