MAKETU (?-1847), a Whanganui chief of inferior standing, was of middle age at the time of the arrival of the New Zealand Company's agents (1840). He was the only objector to the sale of land there, but yielded to the authority of Turoa. Always hostile to British authority, he led a Whanganui taua which was sent down in 1846 to help Rauparaha and Rangihaeata, but was not allowed by Wiremu Kingi te Rangitake to pass Waikanae. Maketu was killed in the attack on Wanganui on 19 May 1847.

Cycl. NZ, i; Cowan.

Reference: Volume 2, page 26

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