CHAPTER XIX. ATTACK OF TANGAHOE AND NGARUAHINE BY WAIKATO.
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CHAPTER XIX.
ATTACK OF TANGAHOE AND NGARUAHINE BY WAIKATO.
After the failure of the attack upon Te Namu, Waikato, somewhat disheartened, returned to their own country. It is scarcely possible to say how long they remained there, but about the year 1834 Waikato again tried the fortunes of war, and advanced with a strong party against the Tangahoe tribe, who, under their chief Te Rei Hanataua, were then living at Te Ruaki pa. The fortress was vigorously assaulted by Waikato, but having been beaten back with heavy loss, they converted the attack into a simple blockade. Palisades were erected around the pa, so as to enclose the besieged without hope of escape, and nearly three months passed in this manner before Tangahoe, who were at the verge of starvation, surrendered to the enemy. Many of the able-bodied men were killed to revenge the deaths of those who had fallen in the assault, but most of the tribe, including Te Hanataua, were taken prisoners, and so became slaves.
While these things were taking place, Taranaki and Ngaruahine were living quietly at the mouth of the Kapuni River, at the Orangituapeka and Waimate pas. Knowing full well that their turn would come, although not anxious as to the results, for in the former pa there were 80 Taranaki men under Ngatairaukanui and Moki, and 40 Ngaruahine's under Tihe. In the latter pa there were 200 men of Titokowarus tribe under Pakeke, Tiako, and Te Awaroa. Waikato, prompt in their movements, made straight from Te Ruaki in two parties, one of which camped at Te Matihe, the hill above the Inaha Creek; the other camped at Mangaporua, near the old Kanae pa. On the following day the Matihe party attacked Orangituapeka, but were met on the open and driven back,
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leaving five of their number dead behind them; the others they carried off and burnt. The brunt of this fight fell on Taranaki, who, highly delighted at their success, cut off the heads of the slain and sent them over to their allies at Waimate to decorate their palisades. On the following morning Waikato made another combined attack. A party of 100 men were told off to lay an ambush near the pa during the night, while at early dawn the main body were to make a vigorous attack on Waimate, hoping in this manner to draw the garrison away from their pa, and so give the ambush a chance; and probably this scheme might have succeeded had Waikato courage been equal to Taranaki cunning, for no sooner did Waikato attack in earnest than both Taranaki and Ngaruahine rushed over to assist their friends, but before leaving made their women and boys put on men's mats and go outside the pa, as though ready to meet the enemy. This ruse succeeded admirably, and the ambush, believing the occupants of Waimate pa were waiting for them to attack, remained hidden, while their people, assaulted by the full strength of the allies, were thoroughly beaten, and fled unpursued, Ngaruahine being suspicious of ambuscades.
Thus ended the battle of Ngangutumaiore. Waikato lost in all about 60 men, including the chiefs Merekaikaka and Pungatara, chiefs of Ngatihinetu; Te Kohuwai, a leading chief of Ngatimaniapoto, Hiahia, Toarangatira, Tupekepeke, Te Oitai, and Raitaha. The allies lost only one chief, Te Kamia, and five men. That day it was ascertained that Waikato really had retreated, and the same night they were followed by the most able-bodied men of the allies, 250 strong, and found camped at Otumatua. Ngaruahine hid themselves carefully, intending to storm the camp at sundown; but this plan was, however, defeated by a few straggling Taranakis, who, for reasons best known to themselves, gave warning to Waikato, who, taking alarm, left everything and stole away, so that when the allies rushed the camp the birds had flown. The hurry and confusion of the retreat had, however, one good effect, and that was that
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Te Hanataua and most of his people succeeded in making their escape, and took shelter with Ngaruahine at Waimate.
Waikato did not again show themselves within the boundaries of Taranaki; but about the same time they did make a most desperate attack upon the Ngatiawa, who still held Ngamotu pa, under the command of Wharepouri and Taringakuri. Taranaki and Ngaruahine maintained themselves on their land against all comers; and three years after this fight, hearing that the Ngatimaniapoto chief Pakura and his people had established themselves at Waitara, they at once marched to attack him, but again were betrayed by their own people, who gave Pakura warning in time to escape, which he did by retreating hastily to his own land.
