TUHAWAIKI, HONE, a Ngai-Tahu chief, was born at Tauhinu (Inch Clutha). He was the son of Kaihaere and a nephew of Te Whakataupuka, who for 60 muskets sold to Peter Williams in 1832 the land from Dusky Bay to Preservation Inlet. Te Whakataupuka was a man of great courage and warlike cunning. He died of measles in 1835, leaving Tuhawaiki to succeed him as the paramount chief of southern New Zealand. Tuhawaiki resided at Ruapuke. Of more than middle height, handsome and intelligent, he was a very progressive warrior, and showed great enterprise and courage in his expeditions against Te Rauparaha after the assaults on Kaiapohia. Hearing of the capture of that stronghold, he organised an expedition to obtain vengeance, and by forced marches came up with the victorious Ngati-Toa taua at Kaparatahau, Awatere. There he ambushed the invaders as they returned from duck-catching on Lake Grasmere. Many of Te Rauparaha's men were killed, and the remnant made good their escape to Cloudy Bay. Te Rauparaha turned the tables somewhat by hurrying back with reinforcements and attacking Tuhawaiki at Waiarikiriki (Cape Campbell) where the southern chief got rather the worse of the encounter and retired. A year or two later Tuhawaiki was again on the warpath and came into contact with Te Rauparaha at Orouamoanui (Port Underwood), inflicting severe losses and almost capturing the chief himself. By these operations Tuhawaiki and Taiaroa induced Te Rauparaha to release his Ngai-Tahu prisoners and asserted the right of Ngai-Tahu to most of the South Island. He claimed much of the Murihiku for himself, a claim strengthened by his successful expedition in 1837 against the invading Ngati-Tama under Te Puoho (q.v.), a nephew of Te Rauparaha, who was killed with many of his followers. In Jan 1838 Tuhawaiki made a sudden march to Queen Charlotte Sound but failed to find Te Rauparaha and returned at once. In Dec 1839 he led another taua in 16 sealing and four whaleboats, but Te Rauparaha now concluded a treaty of peace.

This enabled Tuhawaiki to undertake his long contemplated visit to New South Wales. With Karetai and minor chiefs he sailed in his own schooner. On 31 Jan 1840 they waited on Governor Gipps. On his return in the Magnet he met D'Urville's ships at Waikouaiti. On 9 Jun he signed the Treaty of Waitangi at Ruapuke. He was disposed to be friendly towards the pakeha, and frequently protected the missions against the rough conduct of Taiaroa. In 1842 he begged the Rev J. Watkin to send a European to Ruapuke, and a few months before his death he welcomed Wohlers to his island.

He had a good knowledge of the geography of New Zealand and told the early whalers of the existence of gold on the beaches of the Matau river. From long intercourse with whalers he had learned to speak English, and he had a good reputation for honesty and straightforwardness. On his visit to Port Jackson Gipps gave him some military uniforms. He took great delight in drilling a bodyguard of his own soldiers and had considerable success. Major Bunbury visited him at Ruapuke on 9 Jun and obtained his signature to the Treaty. Bunbury found him a good type of Maori, and Shortland also speaks of his pleasing address, his high intelligence, and his character for integrity. He was an expert sailor and navigated with great skill the various schooners which he owned. In the Perseverance Bishop Selwyn made one of his early missionary voyages. Tuhawaiki was anxious to discard the name "Bloody Jack" which the whalers gave him when he acquired the first rudiments of English under their tuition. In Jun 1844 he signed the deed of sale of the Otago block, receiving £900 for himself and £300 for his relatives. He was drowned in the capsizing of his boat at Moeraki on 31 Jul of the same year.

McNab; J.P.S.; Selwyn, Annals; Shortland; Cycl. NZ.

Reference: Volume 2, page 203

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