PIHAMA, HONE, or TE NGOHI (?-1894), a leading chief of Ngati-Ruanui, was a man of exalted birth, great natural ability and intelligence, and unquestioned integrity. He was educated by a missionary (John Beecham), whose name he adopted. Though consistently friendly to the pakeha, Pihama was much influenced by the Hauhau movement. He is credited with having planned the attack on General Cameron's lines at Nukumaru, but it is doubtful whether he was present at this action, which Bryce describes as the best and bravest in which the Maori took part. His brother Patohe, of Taiporohenui, was wounded in fighting against Cameron. In Apr 1869 the Tangahoe, under pressure of the Ngati-Porou contingent, surrendered to Pihama and gave up arms. Hone took no further part in the rising, but threw his whole influence on the side of the pakeha, was appointed an assessor, and passed the mail through his district, frequently carrying it himself. He was a close friend of Parris (q.v.). He came later under the influence of Te Whiti and, though his personal loyalty was never questioned, his wife regularly paid his government salary into the Parihaka funds. In 1881 he accompanied Captain Knollys, A.D.C., to Parihaka but failed to persuade Te Whiti to receive the governor's letter. When the expedition was proceeding to Parihaka in Nov Pihama absented himself, since it would be unbecoming for an assessor to witness the destruction of the pakeha force. After this affair he volunteered to assist in dispersing the followers of the prophet to their own districts, but at the last moment withdrew from fear of makutu. Pihama farmed for some years at Oeo (with Captain Good), and in 1875 he owned the coach running between Oeo and Hawera. In the early eighties he had a large public house on his own property but, owing to the ill-effects of drinking on the Maori, he refused to take out a license. He died at Parihaka on 3 Apr 1894.

App. H.R., 1863-69, pass.; S. P. Smith, Taranaki; Cowan; The Press, 23 Mar 1903; Hawera Star, 10 Apr 1894 (p).

Reference: Volume 2, page 86

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