Nga Tohu

In 1840 more than 500 chiefs signed the Treaty of Waitangi, New Zealand’s founding document. Ngā Tohu, when complete, will contain a biographical sketch of each signatory.

Signing

SignatureSheetSigned asProbable nameTribeHapūSigning Occasion
1Sheet 5 — The Tauranga SheetTe WhanakeTe WhanakeNgāi Te RangiNgāi TūkairangiTauranga 10 April-May 1840

Te Whanake, son of Huitao and brother of Tari, signed Te Tiriti at Tauranga in April or May 1840. He was one of several important rangatira to sign the Tauranga sheet. The Waitangi Tribunal records that two years later Te Whanake was given permission by the Marutūahu confederation to occupy land at Ōngare as long as he only grew crops there. When it was discovered he had built a pā and desecrated an urupā, Tāraia Ngākuti Te Tumuhuia led a war party to attack Te Whanake’s position. Several people including Te Whanake were killed.

For further information and sources see Debbie McCauley, The Treaty of Waitangi in Tauranga: Te Tiriti o Waitangi ki Tauranga Moana: https://debbiemccauleyauthor.wordpress.com/heritage/cultural-heritage/te-tiriti-o-waitangi-ki-tauranga-moana-treaty-signatories

If you have more information about this treaty signatory please add a community contribution below or contact us at [email protected].

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