1853? - Farewell Address of the Native Tribes in the Southern Province of New Zealand - [Text] p 1-16

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HE KORERO HOU;

KO NGA KORERO O TE HUIHUINGA

O "NGATIRAUKAWA, O "NGATITOA," O "NGATIAWA,"

KI OTAKI, KI TE POROPOROAKI

KI TO RATOU MATUA KIA KAWANA KEREI.

IANEI E HOA MA,

Ko te huihuinga tenei o nga Iwi o runga o Kapiti ki Otaki, ki te kaainga o te Rauparaha, a, karangatia ana ko te 21 o nga ra o Hepetema 1853 hei rangi poroporoakinga mo ratou kia te Kawana, inahoki, ka hoki ia ko Ingarangi, ka ngaro atu i o ratou kanohi;

Ae,--na, ka taki awatea, ka whaowhina te Whare Kura nui o Otaki ki te tangata,--ka kitea koa hoki te tini o te tangata, te Kaumatua, te Ruruhi, te Tamariki;--O nga Rangatira i reira--Ko te Rangihaeata,--Ko Taratoa,-- Ko Rawiri Puaha,-- Ko te Ahu,-- Ko Matene Te Whiwhi,--Ko Tamihana Tama a te Rauparaha,--Ko Te Matia,-- Ko te Kingi Ahoaho,--Ko Aperahama Te Ruru,--Ko Ihakara,--ko ia tangata, ko ia tangata,--na, ka mutu te huihui, ka panuitia te Pukapuka Poroporoaki e Tamihana, heoti--no te mutunga mariretanga o tera, ka timataria ko te Waiata aroha,--ka mutu tera, ka rere atu a Tamihana, ka mau ki te ringaringa o Rangiuira, te wahine a te Rangihaeata, ka arahina atu, a, tu ana i te aroaro o te Kawana,--akuanei, ka whaia

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atu e Tamihana ko te Tara Pounamu, ka tapahia mai i te taringa o Rangiuira e mau ana,--Ko "Kaitangata" 1 te ingoa--no mua noa atu tera Tara Pounamu--no "Ngatitoa"--no te makeretanga mai o te Pounamu i te taringa o te wahine ra, ka whakawhiwhia ki te ringaringa o te Rangihaeata--tangi tonu iho tana Kaumatua--ka mutu te tangi, ka u te Ihu, ka mirimiria hoki ki ana kanohi--hongi tahi hoki me nga Kaumatua--mutu marire te poroporoaki ki to ratou Taonga--katahi ka whakawhiwhia ki te ringaringa o to ratou hoa o te Kawana, hei tohu aroha ki a ia, a, hei tohu whakamaharatanga i tona mahi atawhai kia ratou, otira, ki te katoa noa iho o nga Iwi Maori o Runga--Muringa iho i tera i te Tara Pounamu, ka kokiritia ko te taonga nui o "Ngatiraukawa," he "Patu Paraoa," ko "Hine 2 Te Ao" tona ingoa--no te Hapu i a Taratoa;--hoatu ana hoki tera, hei Maimai-aroha kia Kawana, ki to ratou Motoi Kahurangi.

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Ka mutu marire te poroporoaki a nga Maori, ka whakarerea iho nga kupu aroha a te Kawana ki taua whanau,--tau tonu o ratou taringa ki te whakarongo, ka rere ake hoki te aroha ki to ratou Matua, i atawhaitia tonutia ai ratou--no te mutunga iho o nga kupu a Kawana, ka tukua mai tana pukapuka kia Tamihana, ka tahuri hoki raua ko te Ahu, ka karanga iho ki te whakaminenga--"E Te Whanau--Titiro mai,--na, E tika ana--Ko te Koiwi o to tatou matua o te Kawana ka ngaro atu i o tatou kanohi, otira, ko te pukapuka e mau nei i to maua ringa, koia tenei, ka mahue iho nei kia tatou, hei whakamaharatanga ki a ia mo amua tonu ake:"--heoti ano,--ka mutu--ka whakatika mai nga Kaumatua, ka ruru ki to ratou hoa kia Kawana,--muri iho, ka tangi te umere--ka mutu tera, ka whakatika te mahi o te tamariki o te Kura--ka poroporoaki ki to ratou matua, ki te matua i atawhaitia ai ratou, i whakaakona ai ratou, i tu ai nga Wharekura mo ratou, a taea noatia tenei takiwa--ka mutu.

Ko nga Pakeha i reira i te matakitaki--Ko te Harawira ma--Ko te Whare Rakau kai tuhi o Kawana,--Ko te Potimana--Ko Ahitana Te Hira,--Ko Te Kepa,--a rere mai ana te ahuareka o nga mahi pai o tenei whakaminenga kia ratou.

Na, matakitaki ana te kai matakitaki, a, ka mea hoki o ratou whakaaro, koiano,--ka tangi hoki to ratou miharo, ka mea. E! koia kau!--te tangata, nana i oti ai enei mahi pai, i whakaahuatia houtia ai te tangata, i whai ai ki nga ritenga papai--i aaru ai ki runga i ona tikanga, a, me kowai ranei tenei tangata--me kowai ranei?--huatu, ko Te Kawana, (Sir George Grey) ko te Matua o te Pakeha, o te Maori hoki--nana nei i whaihanga nga tikanga,--i whakakotahitia ai enei Iwi, i hua ai te pai me te rangimarietanga ki te mata o tenei whenua, puta noa--puta noa,--Ae--e tika ana--otira ianei, me kimi e tatou, kia takoto tonu tenei whenua i te marino--kia inoi tatou ki te Atua, kia pai mai ia, kia tukua mai he Kawana penei--he Kawana aroha, hei Matua mo tatou amuake nei.

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KO TE REO PAKEHA.

FAREWELL ADDRESS

TO

&c., &c., &c.,

FROM THE NATIVES OF THE SOUTHERN PARTS OF NEW ZEALAND.

TUESDAY, 21st September, 1853.--An Address, numerously signed, was this day presented at Otaki, in one of the new School-Rooms, by the Ngatiraukawa, Ngatiawa, and Ngatitoa Tribes, to His Excellency Sir George Grey, on the occasion of his departure for England. At 11 a.m., several of the principal chiefs, including Rangihaeata, Taratoa, Rawiri Puaha, Te Ahu, Martin, Thompson, son of Te Rauparaha, Te Matia, Te Kingi Ahoaho, Aperahama Te Ruru, Ihakara, and several others, having assembled in the new School-House, Thompson proceeded to read the address on behalf of the Native Tribes of the southern part of New Zealand. A very large number of Natives of all ages and sexes were present, who, after the address had been read, all joined in singing the ancient poem, a copy of which was attached to the address. After which, a most interesting and affecting ceremony took place; Ranguira, the wife of Rangihaeata, was led forward by several people,--one of whom having cut the string by which a valuable green jasper Ear-ring 3 (a very old heir-loom of the Ngatitoa Tribe)

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was attached to her ear, handed it first to Rangihaeata. The old chief then proceeded, after the ancient Maori custom of "Hongi," to press the greenstone to his nose, and pass it over his face in token of farewell, having finally parted with the precious heir-loom of the tribe as the most expressive mode of conveying to the Governor the assurance of his regard and esteem. The same ceremony was gone through by all the other chiefs present at the delivery, and was likewise performed on a Patu Paraoa, 4 an instrument of war, also a very old heir-loom of Taratoa's tribe.

His Excellency having received these pledges from the Natives, replied in the most feeling manner to their address. He was listened to with the utmost attention, and the whole assembly of Natives seemed really to feel that they were losing a very sincere and tried friend. At the conclusion of His Excellency's address, Thompson Te Rauparaha and Te Ahu, two of the principal chiefs, remarked to their people, in

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reference to the copy of it they held in their hand,--"That it was true they were going to lose the Governor, but that this record would remain to them for ever." Soon after which, the principal chiefs shook hands with His Excellency. Three cheers were then given, and the school children, whose education has been the object of His Excellency's most anxious care, came forward to testify their thanks, and to speed him with their good wishes, now that that care was about to be withdrawn.

Among the Europeans present were Archdeacon and Mrs. Hadfield, Mrs. Williams, Mr. Wodehouse, Private Secretary, Hon. E. Portman, Mr. Ashton St. Hill, and the Native Secretary Mr. Kemp, who all appeared to take great interest in the proceedings.

No one could have witnessed this scene without feeling deeply impressed with the fact, that some really good influence must have been at work to cause so great and beneficial a change in the minds and habits of the Native race. A peaceful disposition seemed to pervade both old and young; let us hope, then, that this beneficial change, now apparently established on so firm a basis, may long continue, and contribute to the welfare and prosperity of this colony, that the two races may become more and more united; and that this policy, which has effected so wonderful a change, may be carried out by our future Governor in the same spirit and with the same success.

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KO TE PUKAPUKA POROPOROAKI
A "NGATIRAUKAWA,"
KI TO RATOU MATUA
KIA KAWANA KEREI.

OTAKI, Hurae 12, 1853.

E TO MATOU KAWANA TINO AROHA NUI,--

Katahi ano ka puta ohorere mai kia matou katoa te ngaueuetanga nui o tou rongo hokinga atu ki Ingarangi--Katahi matou katoa ka mate noaiho i te pouri ki a koe, ka ngaro atu nei i o matou kanohi ka mahue nei matou i a koe i te Matahiapo o tenei motu o Nui Tireni--he nui noa atu to matou aroha atu kia koe i roto i to tatou Ariki i a Ihu Karaiti--Ki to matou whakaaro i ou tau ka whitu ki Nui Tireni e noho ana e mahi ana i au ritenga aroha kia matou, ki nga pakeha hoki, koia matou katoa i whakaaro ai ki a koe me noho tonu mai koe hei Kaumatua aroha mo matou mo nga tangata katoa o tenei motu o Nui Tireni--Koia ka puta mai na te whakaaro o to tatou Atua kia hoki atu koe ki tou whenua tupu--kati hoki ra, me poroporoaki atu matou i konei ki a koe e to matou Kawana aroha nui--Nau mai haere ra e Pa, e te Motoi Kahurangi o tenei motu o Nui Tireni--haere hoki ra e Pa, e hoki ki tou kaainga, ki ou wanaunga, ki to tatou Rangatira kia te Kuini,--kei wareware koe kia matou, kia mahara tonu mai, ahu mai ano to Kanohi ki muri i a koe, ara, kia matou katoa--ki te puta to whakaaro noho atu e to matou Kawana aroha nui, mau hoki ra te wakaaro kia kimihia mai tetehi atu Kawana, hei whakakapi i tou nohoanga, hei te Kawana e rite ana te mahi ki tau tu mahi, me te aroha hoki ki a matou, ki nga tangata maori, ki o matou hoa hoki, ki nga Pakeha katoa o tenei motu o Nui Tireni. Heoti ano a matou kupu aroha atu ki a koe, ki to matou Kawana tino aroha nui--Na matou katoa tena pukapuka na nga Iwi e noho nei ki tenei pito o to tatou motu o Nui Tireni i te taha ki te tonga.

272 O NGA INGOA TANGATA.

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HE WAIATA AROHA MO TE KAWANA O NUI T1RENI, NA NGA "NGATIRAUKAWA."

KO TE REO PAKEHA.

TRANSLATION.

OTAKI, New Zealand, July 12, 1853.

ALAS! O GOVERNOR! OUR KIND AND FAITHFUL FRIEND!--

It is only now that the sudden tidings of your departure for England have reached us. This, together with the probability that we may never again see you, has caused us much sorrow and regret, especially that you yourself, held as you are in high estimation by the Native inhabitants throughout the length and breadth of New Zealand, shall leave us perhaps for ever. We have a very sincere regard for you, in and through Christ Jesus our Saviour: having presided over us for now seven years, and having experienced the good effects of your kind offices towards us and the Europeans also, our thoughts had been that you should remain, and with parental care watch over us here, and over the whole population of these islands. As it is, your God and ours has, in His wisdom, seen fit to cause your return to your native soil. Even so, let it be thus; yet let it be permitted to us to bid farewell to our kind Governor and Friend. Oh! then, Father, come now, speed thy way. Thou, the successful ruler of these New Zealand Islands. Go then, Father, with our well wishes. Hence to thy Native land, and to thy near relatives and friends. Go

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hence. Go to thy Sovereign and to ours, the Queen. Forget us not; bear us in mind--frequently look back upon us all, and in kindness remember us; and if, O Governor, Benefactor, and Friend! it should be thy determination to remain in thy native land, use thine influence, so that in the appointment of a Governor as thy successor, one may be sent, who, like thee in acts of love, may preside over us the Natives, as well as the Europeans living in New Zealand

This, then, is our address of kindness and esteem, our last farewell address,--made and given by us, the tribes and people occupying this the southern part of New Zealand. Receive it as a tribute of kind remembrance and respect. Receive it thus.

[Here follow 272 signatures.]

SONG--FAREWELL.

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KO TA KAWANA;
HE WHAKAHOKI MO TA "NGATIRAUKAWA."

OTAKI, Hepetema 21, 1853.

E AKU TAMARIKI,--

E hara i au te whakaaro ki te haere mai ki nga motu nei--Ara--ki nga Iwi e tauhou ana ki au,--me nga reo hoki e tauhou ana ki au--ana haere mai ratou ki te korero whakaingoingo mai ki au.--Na, no whea au e tahuri mahaki atu kia ratou.

Otira, kua tau iho nga kino ki runga ki te whenua nei, koia ka ngangare ai nga tangata kia raua whakatangata, ara, te Pakeha me te Maori--no reira ano, ka karanga mai te Kuini ratou ko ona Kaumatua ki au--mau te whakaaro kia whakamutua nga raruraru o nga motu ra--hohoro ki reira; no reira au ka whakatika ka haere, a, ka tae mai ki enei motu--heoti, mahia ana e au te pai hei whakamutu mo te whawhai.

Kotahi hoki taku e mahi ai, ko te hiahia o te Atua kia mahia ki konei e ahau e tona pononga iti, kia noho ai ki konei he Iwi mo amua ake nei, hei mahi i nga ture o te Atua, kia puta mai te rangimarietanga me te ahuareka.

Na, i karanga ahau ki nga tangata papai katoa, ara ki nga Pakeha pai, ki nga Maori pai, kia whakatika mai ratou hei whakauru i au ki te mahi pai; na, ka whakatika ratou ka mahia--koia ra tenei, ko ia tangata ki tana mahi ake ano, ko ia tangata ki tana mahi ake ano.

A, kua mahia nei e tatou te pai, a, ka taea nei hoki te waru o nga tau e mahia ana, na, takoto ana i te marino; koia ra tenei--na--tu ana

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nga Whare Karakia--me nga Whare Kura, parautia ana hoki nga whenua--kua tu hoki nga Mira, kua keria nga Huanui, a mahue ake i nga tangata o ratou Atua maori.

Amuri ake nei, ka noho he Iwi nui, he Iwi maha i enei motu, ko reira ratou ngahau ai, ahuareka ai, ina maharahara ratou ki nga mahinga a o ratou tupuna o mua; ko reira ratou mea ai, ehara i oku tupuna Pakeha anake aua mahi i mahi, otira, na oku tupuna Maori hoki i mahi aua mahi papai o mua,--ko reira pea a ratou tamariki ui atu ai, nawai i ara i mahi era mahi papai o mua ra?--Ko reira korerotia atu ai e o ratou Matua nga ingoa o oku hoa, ara, o oku hoa Pakeha, o oku hoa Maori hoki, ara, nga ingoa e rekareka ana ki oku taringa, a--ki te noho tawhiti ke au, ka kauia ake ano pea te moana i te rongo pai o nga ingoa o oku hoa. Otira, kia tupato ki enei mahi me enei ingoa hoki, kei piri mai tetehi he kia ratou.

Heoti ano,
Na to koutou Matua,
Na G. GREY,
KAWANA NUI.

KO TE REO PAKEHA.

THE FOLLOWING IS A TRANSLATION OF HIS EXCELLENCY'S REPLY:

MY CHILDREN,--

It was not originally any arrangement of mine that I should come to New Zealand, to a people unknown to me, and whose language I did not then understand, so that when they came to me with complaints I could make no kind of reply to them. But troubles had fallen upon the land; race strove with race. Then our Queen, and the rulers of our great Empire, sent to me, and directed me to proceed without delay to New Zealand, to strive to still the strife which prevailed, and to attempt to carry out, as the servant of God, His will, that there might be established in New Zealand a nation to walk in His laws, which lead to happiness and peace. When I arrived here, I called upon all good men, Europeans and Natives alike, to aid me in this task; and they all arose to perform this work, and laboured hard each in his vocation.

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For nearly eight years we have thus laboured together. Churches and Schools have been raised, men have abandoned false gods, peace has been established, lands have been ploughed, mills have been built, great roads have been made, abundance prevails everywhere.

Hereafter a great nation will occupy these islands, and with wonder and gladness they will look back upon the works of those men who assisted in founding their country; and when the children in those times ask their parents who were the men who founded so great a country, they will answer them, the men who did these things in the olden time were our ancestors; yes, those things were done, not by our European ancestors alone, but partly also by our ancestors, who were the original native inhabitants of these islands, and then they will tell them many names, and amongst them those of my friends; Yes, then will be told them those names, the mention of which will be always so grateful to my ears; and which, when I am in a distant country, will I hope still come sounding across the ocean to me, connected with good works.

My parting request then is, that you will not hereafter suffer any evil deed to sully those names, or to obscure the good works which have been performed in this country.

G. GREY.

Printed by R. STOKES, New Zealand Spectator Office,
Lambton-quay, Wellington,

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