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.


Signings

SignatureSheetSigned asProbable nameTribeHapūSigning Occasion
10Sheet 1 — The Waitangi SheetMarupoMarupōNgāpuhiTe Whānau Rara, Te Whānau Rongo, Matarahurahu, Ngāti Rāhiri, Ngāti PouWaitangi 6 February 1840
98Sheet 1 — The Waitangi SheetMarupoMarupōNgāpuhiTe Whānau Rara, Te Whānau Rongo, Matarahurahu, Ngāti Rāhiri, Ngāti PouMangungu 12 February 1840

Marupō was a noted warrior from Kawakawa in the Bay of Islands. He signed He Whakaputanga, the Declaration of Independence, in 1835.

He was at Waitangi on 6 February 1840 and argued vigorously against the Treaty of Waitangi while it was being signed. However, he then signed the treaty, and six days later he did so again at Mangungu in Hokianga, which was now his home.

Marupō was said to be one of the young men under Hōne Heke Pōkai’s control. He may have been on a committee appointed by Te Whakaminenga (the United Tribes, who had signed He Whakaputanga).

In 1867 Marupō was on a Māori committee set up to organise a reception for the Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Alfred, who was due to visit New Zealand. In 1868 he asked that the restrictions on gunpowder be lifted, particularly for ‘sporting’ (hunting) purposes, and suggested a system of regulations.

 

 


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

Community contributions

No comments have been posted about Marupō

What do you know?

Can you tell us more about the information on this page? Perhaps you have a related experience you would like to share?

CAPTCHA
This question is for testing whether you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions.

Comments will be reviewed prior to posting. Not all comments posted. Tell me more...