On 21 May 1840, the Ariel, captained by George Thomas Clayton, arrived off Tāwhirihoe pā, a fortified village between the Rangitīkei and Manawatū rivers. Here three rangatira (chiefs) of Ngāti Apa added their signatures to the Cook Strait (Henry Williams) copy of the Treaty of Waitangi. The missionaries Henry Williams and Octavius Hadfield witnessed the signing, though Williams conducted the negotiations.
All three signatories drew complex marks next to their names on the treaty.
Signature number
|
Signed as | Probable name | Tribe | Hapu |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 87 | Te Hakeke | Kāwana Te Hūnia Hākeke | Ngāti Apa, Ngāti Kauae, Ngāti Tauira, Ngāti Rangitumoana, Rangitāne, Muaūpoko | Ngāti Kura, Ngāti Kitohu, Ngāti Maikuku, Ngāti Pouwhenua, Ngā Ariki, Ngāi Tapuiti |
| 88 | Taumaru | Hāmuera Te Raikōkiritia Taumaru | Ngāti Apa | Ngāti Tauira, Ngāti Rangiwhakapou, Ngāti Rakei |
| 89 | Mahi | Mohi Mahi | Ngāti Apa | Ngāti Tauira, Ngāti Rangiwaho, Ngā Potiki, Ngāti Rangiwhakaturia |