THE HISTORY OF:
BANKS PENINSULA

-CHAPTER THE FIRST-
THE FOUR WAVES OF SETTLEMENT
-THE MAORI-THE WHALERS-THE FRENCH-THE BRITISH-

-CHAPTER THE SECOND-
NGAI TAHU AND SOUTH ISLAND MAORI
-LEADERS OF NGAI TAHU- PAS AND SETTLEMENTS-THE COMING OF THE WHITE MAN-REMNANTS OF THE PAST-

-NOTES-
-PICTORIAL-
-BIBLIOGRAPHY-

COVER ILLUSTRATIONS:

CHAPTER THE FIRST: HISTORIC FRENCH MAP OF THE PENINSULA
CHAPTER THE SECOND: AIRIAL VIEW OF AKAROA HARBOUR
(FOR SOURCES SEE PICTORIAL)

FORWARD

Although a young township, Akaroa has a intricate and occasionally bloody history. From the first peoples, the Waitaha, to the Ngai Tahu, to the first Europeans. From the French claiming British land, to the Ngai Tahu claiming Crown land. Akaroa and Banks Peninsula has been argued over for decades. Each of the peoples populating it had their own characteristics and unique attributes, and all offered something to the history of the region. The Ngai Tahu, especially, have had a significant impact on this. Their many pa's, the infamous chiefs, and their land claims have become widely known tales throughout the country.

CHAPTER THE FIRST
THE FOUR WAVES OF SETTLEMENT

THE MAORI

*For more detailed information about Maori, refer to Chapter 2

The Ngai Tahu people were inhabitants of the South Island, predominantly Banks Peninsula and Kaiapoi. Before them, the Ngaiti Mamoe had presided over the island, and before them the Waitaha. Each of these was eradicated by its successor. The Maori lived in flax huts arranged to form a village, where a chief or head man was in charge. They spent the day gathering and cooking food, hunting animals, fishing, or weaving flax. At nights they would entertain themselves by reciting myths and legends, singing, chanting, and dancing. For defence, they built fortresses called Pa, where they would go if they were attacked. Food was stored in houses like the ones in Resource A, right, and water could be stored in canoes covered with flax to prevent evaporation. Many Maori tribes endured intertribal warfare, however after the Ngati Mamoe the Ngai Tahu had no major conflicts until the coming of Te Rauparaha. Once the white man came, the Maori learned how to play draughts. They used Indian Corn for men, and were surprisingly good at it, usually beating their Pakeha opponents. They called the game 'mu', and charged one shilling for admission to the hall in which it was played. When entertaining Pakeha traders, they would often perform a traditional war dance, which greatly pleased their guests. They used flax and kumara to trade for muskets and tobacco, among other things.

RESOURCE A, MAORI STORE HOUSES

THE ARRIVAL OF THE WHALERS

Captain Stewart of the Elizabeth

Te Rauparaha was angry at the insolence shown towards him by the south island Maori. He decided to capture or murder Tamaiharanui, chief of the Ngai Tahu based in Akaroa. Unfortunately, Te Rauparaha was not in Akaroa. In fact, he was not even on the same island. He was at his stronghold on Kapiti, and, although possessing a strong fleet of war canoes, he thought an invasion by canoe would be too conspicuous and could offer Tamaiharanui a chance to escape. He finally settled on the idea of being transported by a European trading or whaling vessel, and, in the guise of traders, it would be easy to take the Ngai Tahu by surprise. But that left him the problem of a willing captain to allow passage of himself and his men. Presently Captain Briggs of the whaler Dragon landed at Kapiti and were approached by Te Rauparaha. Briggs declined his request, not wishing to involve himself in local affairs, and also cautious of allowing such a large number of natives to board his ship when he had few men. However, Te Rauparaha did not have to wait long before another whaler, the Elizabeth, arrived under the command of Captain Stewart. Te Rauparaha approached Stewart much the same as he had approached Briggs, claiming he was avenging wrongs Ngai Tahu had committed against white men. Despite warnings by Briggs, Stewart granted Te Rauparaha and his men passage to Akaroa. On October 29, 1830 the Elizabeth set sail with the war party of about 120 Maori1. They arrived in Akaroa a few days later and Captain Stewart and several of his men took off in a small boat to shore to meet with Tamaiharanui. When they met, he was eager for trade and boarded the boat with his daughter and they returned to the Elizabeth. Once aboard, Tamaiharanui and his daughter were seized by Te Rauparaha and they were thrown in the brig. Later that day his wife and 6 or 7 other Ngai Tahu fell for the same trap and were also imprisoned2. By this stage the European crew had had enough. They thought they had done their bit and encouraged Captain Stewart to leave and prevent the inevitable massacre to follow. However, Captain Briggs fears had come true. The Maori on board outnumbered the European crew, and thus had physical control of the ship. There was nothing Captain Stewart could do but watch. After dark Te Rauparaha and his men sailed ashore and the unsuspecting Ngai Tahu were massacred and their village burned. The bodies were cooked and eaten the next day. On the 6th of November, Captain Stewart ordered a 10 gun salute to those who had been slaughtered, and he returned to Kapiti with Te Rauparaha.

RESOURCE B, SPERM WHALE BEING HARPOONED

Captain Hempleman

Hempleman was a German who set up the first shore whaling station in the South Island. He scouted the site at Piraki in 1835 and, satisfied, returned from Sydney on February 17, 1836. There at Piraki he set up his famous station. The trypot below was one of the originals he used. He then went on his business travelling back and forth to Sydney to sell whale oil and making a large amount of money. He purchased 15 square acres of land from Ngai Tahu in 18373, but he got so preoccupied with the signing of the deal that he neglected his whale station and many good hands defected elsewhere. Over the years this land became his obsession and he persistently upheld his claim upon the 1852 declaration of ownership to the Canterbury Association. He adamantly believed the land was his and he fought for it, almost entirely forgetting his whale station. Several times he was offered substantial grants of land, but all fell short of his claim and he refused each one.

RESOURCE C, CAPTAIN HEMPLEMAN AND WIFE ELIZABETH

The early whalers

The first whalers were reliable and hardy men from Europe, America, and Australia. Many of them left their ships to marry Maori women. On shore and with a family, they would start a trade like boat building and they would use their wide range of skills to their best ability. However, the most distinguishing attribute of an early whaler was not their skills or their hard work, it was their taste for rum. After a few months of solid work, they would take their earnings, pay off their debts, then went on a drinking spree for as long as the rest of their money lasted; sometimes this meant up to a fortnight. They would then happily return to work after a well earned break.

RESOURCE D, TRYPOT USED BY HEMPLEMAN AND WHALE BONE. PERAKI

The next wave of whalers came from Hobart. They were mostly convicts, and unwelcome for most settlers in Akaroa. They did not last long, however, for they were drawn to the various gold rushes in Australia and parts of New Zealand.
Whaling was a big industry and Banks Peninsula attracted many whaling vessels. On 31 of March 18384 the Pauline and the Adele where in Akaroa harbour. Captain Hempleman was loading off supplies, when his leading man, Crawley, ran a lance right through his wrist, and he had to be assisted by French doctors who were equipped with the latest medical technology. French whalers became a common occurrence from then on. On 12 April the Asia arrived, and a week later another ship was spotted scouring the harbour for whales. In May an American arrived along with another Frenchman. By the 8th of June, the Nil, Gustave, Cosmopolite, Gange, and the corvette Heroine were to be found in Akaroa. In Piraki was the Pauline and Adele, and in Port Cooper was the Durkerquoise, Cachalot, Asia, and the Souvenir. In Akaroa, the Nil, Gustave, and Cosmopolite united their operations to help cover more ocean and secure more whales. This left the Gange by herself, and she was powerless to do anything about it. So she left Akaroa to go to Piraki, where her operations much improved.
Americans now started to increase their presence. The whaler Bowditch received runaways rounded up by the corvette Heroine. Later in May 1839, Captain Chase of the whaler George came to Akaroa. The first American ship lost in the South Island was the Atlantic on the 12th of June off the bay of Akaroa. All the crew were saved; a few stayed in Akaroa and the rest were transported to the Bay of Island to look for employment. This loss did not deter the Americans however, and on June 20 the China and the Favourite were in port. Although there was some trouble aboard some of the vessels, order was generally well kept with the presence of the Heroine.

RESOURCE E, WHALE TRYPOT

THE FRENCH COLONISTS

Captain Jean Francois Langois of the Cachalot

Jean Francois Langois was captain of the whaler ship Cachalot. He intended to colonise Akaroa for France before the English did. On 2 August 1838 he negotiated a purchase with the Maori for the peninsula for the sum of £240 worth of goods5. To make the deal 'official', Lavaud employed the services of a French corvette anchored in Port Cooper named L'Heroine (Captain Cecile) and they raised a French flag and fired a salute, declaring Banks Peninsula French. Having formalised the deal, he returned to France to gain support and backing of the government. However, many ministers were less than keen on the idea because they were of the opinion France had too many colonies as it were. Nonetheless, Langois was undeterred and he persisted his argument resulting in approval and funding by the government. The Nanto-Bordelaise Company was established in 1839, and shortly after Langois captained the first colonist ship, the Comte de Paris. The colonists were promised 5 acres of land each, 17 months rations, tools, and weapons6. The latter they received duly, however their land was to be the subject of much debate.

RESOURCE F, CAPTAIN LAVAUD

The French land dispute

On February 19, 1840, the naval ship L'Aube captained by Charles Francois Lavaud, left port in France. Both the L'Aube and the Comte de Paris were now at sea. Unknown to either captain, the Treaty of Waitangi had been signed on the 6th of February. The land they believed to have purchased was now under British sovereignty.
Captain Lavaud was the first to discover this. He landed in the Bay of Islands on 10 July to find the Britomart, a British flag flying, and newly appointed Lieutenant Governor of New Zealand; William Hobson. After discussing his situation, it was declared that the French had no claim to the land, the britomart was sent to Akaroa for a formal ceremony, and the French were under British jurisdiction should they choose to remain in Akaroa.
Langois, meanwhile, had put into Pigeon Bay for repairs. Being still ignorant of the Treaty or Lavauds negotiations with Hobson, he completed the land purchase with the Maori, paying the outstanding goods to Chief Iwikau who accepted them on behalf of the tribe. He landed at French Bay in Akaroa on August 19.

The French settlement

After the settlers had been landed in Akaroa on 19 August 18407 by the Comte de Paris, they immediately set up tents for themselves M. Croix de Belligny was the French Association's representative in Akaroa. He purchased stock from Sydney in 1842 and brought them back to Akaroa. When he left in 1845 he sold them for between £20 and £25 per head8. The colonists eager for the beef, and were pleased with his low price. The first French hotel set up in Akaroa was set up by a servant of Belligny by the name of M. Francois, and it, as all the hotels of the time, was very prosperous.
Probably the last significant event in the initial founding of French Akaroa was the departure of Lavaud. Lavaud did not wish to leave, but he was relieved by Commodore Berard in 1844. French supervision officially ended in 1846.

RESOURCE G, FRENCH TENTS IN AKAROA

THE BRITISH

Captain Stanley of the Britomart

With the Treaty of Waitangi signed, the British had sovereignty of the whole of New Zealand. Captain lavaud did not see it that way, as discussed previously. While he was arguing with Hobson in the Bay of Islands, Hobson sent a letter to Captain Stanley ordering him to proceed down the South Island and make it clear to any foreign vessels that the entire country was British. He kept it secret, and the French never knew about the Britomart in Akaroa until it was too late. The flag was raised and salute fired, much to the disheartenment of the French. Stanley arrived on August 11, 1840.
The first British colonial ship to Akaroa was the Monarch. She was bound for Auckland but was in need of repair, so called in to Akaroa. The colonists were so delighted with what they saw that they decided to stay. They settled at the south end, while the French remained in the north end of the harbour. Relations between the two were surprisingly calm, considering their respective nations had a deep distrust of one another.
The first hotel in Akaroa was the Victoria Inn, set up by cattle farmer and 'moonshiner' William Green (Hotel was at Green Point named after him). His hotel was extremely successful and popular, especially among whalers.

CHAPTER THE SECOND
NGAI TAHU AND SOUTH ISLAND MAORI

Na te Ao
Ko te Aoturoa
Tana ko te Ao Marama
Na te Kore
Tana ko te Kore Te Whiwhia
Tana ko te Kore Te Kerekere
Tana ko te Kore Te Taumaua
Tana ko te Kore Te Matua
Tana ko Maku
Ka moe ia i a Mahoranui a Tea
Ko te Raki
Ka moe a Raki i a Pokoharuanui Te Po
Ko Aoraki me Rakamaomao tana a Tawhiriamatea
Ko Tu Te Rakiwhanoa
Uira ki te Mahaanui a Maui
Ko Te Ao Takata
Ti hei mauri ora

Ma wai e tuhi te tahuhu korero mo to tatau iwi?

THE MAORI CHIEFS

Moki and the Ngati Mamoe wars

Moki was a great Ngai Tahu chief. He lived in near the mouth of the Wairau river. His wives two brothers, Kaiapu and Te Makino persuaded Moki to undertake an expedition against the Ngaiti Mamoe on the Banks Peninsula. Moki travelled in the war canoe Makawhiu and annihilated the Ngaiti mamoe at a pa named Parakakariki.
Most all present day Ngai Tahu can trace their ancestors to Moki or one of his seven chiefs:
Te Rangi Whakaputu, at Rapaki
Huikau, at Port Levy
Mako, at Little River
Te Ruahikihiki, at Wainui
Manaia, at Whakamoa
Te Ake, at head of Akaroa Harbour
Tutakakahikura, at Otanerito
There are some interesting stories about some of these chiefs:
Moki, after subduing the Ngati Mamoe, gave the peninsula to his seven chiefs. They were to decide who could settle where by each claiming land in some way. As long as they had demonstrated claim, the land was theirs. Tutakakahikura claimed the north end of Akaroa harbour. As he crossed a stream in the present township, he met O-i-nako, a Ngati Mamoe chief. They fought bravely, and O-i-nako was killed. Te Ake claimed the head of the harbour, after failing to reach Wainui. He claimed it by placing his walking stick in the ground, and proclaimed the place be named Otokotoko (walking stick) Te Ake is the ancestor of Big William.
Although defeated on the peninsula, Ngati Mamoe remained scattered throughout the island. Over the years many battles were fought between them and the Ngai Tahu. One Ngai Tahu warrior wished for glory in battle, he went by the name of Kiri Mahi Nahina. This man taught that it was not Io that created man, but Tiki. A Ngai Tahu chief, Te Wera, heard of his heresy and was concerned it would spread from his soul to another, as he had died in battle. He decided on a way to combat this: he baked his body in an oven, with every hole in his body plugged to prevent the soul escaping. When he was fully cooked, Te Wera and some of his men proceeded to consume the dead man.

Te Mai Hara Nui

Te Mai Hara Nui is best known for two things; the first being the Kai huanga fued, the second being his murder by Te Rauparaha. The later is coverd in the whalers section, so the former shall be outlined now. Murhake wore a dog skin cloak belonging to the chief. it was considered tapu to touch any of his belongings, and the tribe were outraged. They killed a servant woman of Murhake's, and in turn her master seeking revenge killed Hape, a relative of the murderers. His widow was so grieved by her loss that her brothers began to plan revenge. They took a war party and attacked at Waikakahi, where the fued began. Te Mai Hara Nui was in Kaikoura at this time, but upon hearing all this he went straight to Akaroa to muster a war party. He led his force against the Taumutu people where they were defeated. They were still determined for revenge, however, and a new force was mustered from kaiapoi and other settlements of men wishing to avenge the death of relatives. As they closed on Wairewa, chief Tairoa called to the occupants that they possessed guns, and they inhabitants fled, and no one was killed.

PA'S AND SETTLEMENTS

Pa of Nga Toko Ono

The Pa of the Six was located between Fisherman's and Paua bays. It is in essence a Pa of legend, not so much of history. Once it was occupied by six chiefs, and one day when they were out fishing, they were blown out to sea never to be seen again. It is not known what happened to them, but one theory is they ended up on the Chatham Islands. It is believed to have originally been a Ngaiti Mamoe Pa, but was later occupied by Ngai Tahu.
The most significant Pa in Akaroa was of course Onawe (Resource A, below). This was the site of the famous defeat of Ngai Tahu by Te Rauparaha.

Onawe Peninsula

Legend had it that Onawe was sacred; protected by the spirit of the winds, careless intruders had much to fear on this peninsula. In the previous chapter, it was discussed how Te Rauparaha captured and killed the Ngai Tahu chief Te Mai Hara Nui (he is profiled in the previous section). Alas, his vengeance on the Ngai Tahu was far from complete.
After the death of Te Mai Hara Nui, Tangatahara was named chief. Fearing another attack, he ordered a Pa to be built on Onawe, with provisions to withstand a siege. No sooner had it been completed that Tangatahara heard reports of Te Rauparaha laying siege to Kaiapoi. Many of the surrounding inhabitants of Akaroa fled to Onawe and prepared for the worst. After Kaiapoi was defeated, Te Rauparaha proceeded to march directly to Onawe.
Te Rauparaha had planned to surprise the Ngai Tahu by sailing his fleet into the harbour under cover of darkness, however the prime location of Onawe made it virtually impossible to enter the harbour undetected, and he was soon spotted. His plans foiled, he was forced to rethink his strategy. He decided to split his force, and send Ngati Toa to Barry's Bay, while Ngati Awa went to Duvauchelle. Tangatahara decided to take advantage of this split in forces, and went to attack Ngati Awa under cover of darkness. They were spotted, and Ngati Awa cried for assistance from Ngati Toa. The combined forces charged after the Ngai Tahu warriors, and forced them back to the pa. The Ngai Tahu could have shot many dead, had Te Rauparaha not had Kapiti captives among his men. The Ngai Tahu did not wish to slay their own people, and hesitated to open fire.

RESOURCE H, ONAWE

The Kaiapoi tribesmen begged Ngai Tahu to surrender, so they would not have to endure their fate. However, as the two sides were talking, some of Te Rauparaha's warriors made their way into the fortress and began slaughtering anyone within reach. In the mass confusion that followed, many Ngai Tahu were killed, and the pa was taken by Te Rauparaha's forces. The following day, all the captives were rounded up and most were killed, including the women. Survivors of the bloodshed were few, and even less returned to the peninsula.

THE COMING OF THE WHITE MAN

'We come bearing gifts...'

On the arrival of the white man, he brought with him disease, alcohol, tobacco, and guns. All these things were to have a devastating and lasting effect on the Ngai Tahu, and all Maori people. The first Europeans to live with the Maori were the whalers. There were never any obvious problems in this relationship, and they tended to get on rather well. However, the introduction of the foreign substances named above changed this relationship. Tobacco was a primary trading resource for the Europeans. Unaware of its consequences, the Maori were quick and keep to trade for it, as they soon became addicted. This perhaps led to desperate trading to obtain more. This gave the white man a certain power over the Maori. But, realising that the Maori may have figured out how they were being used and cheated, the European settlers lived in fear. At first it was just a cautionary fear, for there were very few maori in or near Akaroa. But in 1843 it was rumoured that they were massing in Port Levy, Pigeon bay, Little River, and Kaiapoi, and were planning a united assault. There was a frigate stationed in the harbour, the Valparaiso, and while that remained the colonists were happy. But when it was required to leave for supplies, the fear returned. They built blockhouses to defend the township. The top story overlapped the bottom to protect from Maori firing it from below. There was also a moat dug around each one. Despite all this effort, they were only ever used once, when news came that some 250 Maori were on their way9, so all valuable goods were packed in the storehouses. Later, confirmed reports that some 60-100 Maori were approaching, all the settlers moved into them. This was unnecessary for the Maori were only passing through and posed no threat.

REMNANTS OF THE PAST

Onawe and Oruaka

Onawe and Onuku Pa's are probably 2 of the best surviving remains today. Food storage pits can be clearly seen, as well as trenches at Oruaka. The position of the pa is on top of a hill; it is a good vantage point for every angle, there is a lookout on the beach to see invaders from the sea, there are many ways to retreat, the only ways up are steep climbs where it would be easy to hurl missiles at invaders. There are also housing areas clearly visible. Down on the rocky beach are eel traps dug in the stones. This would have provided an ample supply of food, however would have been useless under a siege.
Onawe, as we have seen, was a narrow peninsula with one access point. What remains today are storage pits and trenches. It also has ell traps, however, unlike Oruaka, these were designed for use in a siege, for there was covered trenches providing access to them from the pa. High cliffs protect the southern side, while the north would have been heavily fortified and garrisoned. The position of the pa was excellent for spotting invaders from the ocean, as we have seen in Te Rauparaha's invasion.

NOTES

1. McNab, Robert The Old Whaling Days
2. McNab, Robert The Old Whaling Days
3. Jacobson, W.E.M. Akaroa and Banks Peninsula 1840-1940
4. McNab, Robert The Old Whaling Days
5. Turner, Gwenda Akaroa
6. Turner, Gwenda Akaroa
7. Tremewan, Peter French Akaroa
8. Jacobson, W.E.M. Akaroa and Banks Peninsula 1840-1940
Maori chant & quote, http://www.ngaitahu.iwi.nz

PICTORIAL

CHAPTER ONE	Page 112	Akaroa and Banks Peninsula 1840-1940
Resource A	Page 81	French Akaroa
Resource B	Page 28	Picturing The Peninsula
Resource C	Page 27	Picturing The Peninsula
Resource D	Page 27	Picturing The Peninsula
Resource E	Page 29	Picturing The Peninsula
Resource F	Page 61	French Akaroa
Resource G	Page 136	French Akaroa
CHAPTER TWO	Inside cover	French Akaroa
Resource H	Page 33	The Weekly Press, 26/6/92

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Andersen, Johannes C	Maori Life in Ao-Tea	Whitcombe and Tombs 1907
Beaglehole, J.C.	Captain Hobson & the New Zealand Company	1928
Beattie, James Herries	Maori Place Names of Canterbury	Otago Daily Times 1945
Beattie, James Herries	Traditional lifeways of the Southern Maori	University of Otago Press 1994
Buick, T. Lindsay	The French at Akaroa	Capper Press Ltd. ChCh NZ 1980
Bullen, Frank T	The Cruise of the Cachalot	Macmillan and Co. Ltd. 1906
Butler, Peter	Life and Times of Te Rauparaha	Alister tayler NZ 1980
Carrington, A.H	Ngai Tahu
Cowan, James	Maori Folk Tales of the Port Hills	Whitcombe and Tombs 1954
Green, T.E.	To Akaroa and Back	T.E. Green 1984
Hay, James	Earliest Canterbury	ChCh Press Co. ltd. 1915
Hempleman, George	The Piraki Log
Jacobson, W.E.M.	Akaroa and Banks Peninsula 1840-1940	Akaroa Mail Co. Ltd. 1940
Maynard, Dr Felix	The Whalers	Hutchinson and Co. London 1937
McNab, Robert	The Old Whaling Days	Golden Press Pty Ltd NZ 1975
Moon, Paul	Hobson, Governor of New Zealand	David Ling publishing Ltd NZ 1998
Morton, Harry	The Whalers Wake	University of Otago Press 1982
Ogilvie, Gordon	Picturing the Peninsula	Hazard Press 1992
Power, Tyrone W	Sketches in New Zealand	Capper Press Ltd ChCh NZ 1974
Scholefield, Guy H.	William Hobson	Oxford University Press 1934
Stack, Cannon	South Island Maoris	Capper Press Ltd. ChCh NZ 1984
Travers, WLT	Some chapters in the Life and Times of Te Rauparaha	Capper Press Ltd. ChCh NZ 1975
Tremewan, Peter	French Akaroa	University of Canterbury Press 1990
Turner, Gwenda	Akaroa	John McIndoe Ltd. NZ 1977
	Maps of Province of Canterbury	Canterbury Museum
	Peninsula and Plain	Whitcombe and Tombs 1974
	Learning Media- Ngata Dictionary
	Te Runanga O Ngai Tahu

THE HISTORY OF: BANKS PENINSULA

THE HISTORY OF:
BANKS PENINSULA