KIA KAKATI TE NAMU – TE MATAARA A KAWITI

WHEN THE SANDFLY NIPS – KAWITI’S EDICT

Ngāti Hine recounts events leading up to, and following the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi in the Bay of Islands, New Zealand.

It talks of alliances of the time including that between Kawiti and Hone Heke in their stand against the government from 1840 to 1846. The sacking of Kororāreka now known as Russell was the first clash between Māori and Pākehā where blood was spilled. That marked the beginning of a series of battles that progressed up the Taumārere River to Puketūtū, back to Ōhaeawai and on to Ruapekapeka. Both Kawiti and Heke featured prominently throughout all of these encounters.

Hone Heke died of Tuberculosis in August of 1850 and Kawiti, in 1854.

Credits

Illustrator / Kaituhi Pikitia, Troy Packer

Writer / Kaituhi, Waihoroi Shortland

Reo Māori Editor / Kaiwhakatika Reo Māori, Nikora Wharerau

Narrator / Kaipānui, Te Waihuia Manga

Kawiti’s Voice / Reo o Kawiti, Waihoroi Shortland