MAMAKU (?1790-1887) was one of the most celebrated chiefs of the Whanganui river. He belonged to the tribe Ngati-Haua te Rangi. He was a son of Te Ora Kairakau, and grandson of Whakaneke, and was born at Makokoti, 108 miles up the Whanganui river, where he afterwards established his own pa.

A fine specimen of Maori, with strong limbs and noble, aquiline features, he is said to have defeated a taua of Ngati-Maniapoto at Otamakati (near Mount Hikurangi) about 1821. He wished to join Te Rauparaha in the heke to Kapiti, but Pehi Turoa objected and turned his migration back. During the first migration of Ngati-Raukawa under Rua-maioro, they attacked Mamaku's pa, but the 800 defenders, under Mamaku, with the help of Whanganui under Pehi Turoa, drove them off, Rua-maioro being killed. In 1829, when Ngati-Raukawa and Ngati-Awa attacked the Whanganui pa at Putikiwaranui for interfering with the previous heke, Mamaku escaped in spite of the efforts of Te Rauparaha to catch him. Pehi Turoa was besieged almost to the point of starvation. Mamaku was present at Ohariu in 1835 as the guest of Ngati-Tama, but took no part in the massacre. Well disposed towards the Europeans, he welcomed them at Port Nicholson, and erected huts for J.C. Crawford and others in 1840.

Though advanced in years, Mamaku led the taua which attacked the post at Boulcott's farm in the Hutt valley, where the 58th Regiment were surprised and suffered some losses (16 May 1846). He fought on the retreat through Pahautanui and the Horokiwi valley. At Whanganui he tried to curb his people, but warned the settlers that if they brought the soldiers into the district he would attack them. He was anxious to meet the soldiers in battle. After the murderers of the Gilfillans had been punished, Mamaku took the field to help the Ngati-Ruaka.

On 9 Jun 1847 an attack was made on a party of the 99th Regiment engaged in a reconnaissance, farms were plundered and raids made close to the stockade. Mamaku then retired up the river, having raised the mana of the Maori soldier by his expedition. He refused the overtures of Hori Kingi te Anaua to return and make his peace with Sir George Grey, but eventually yielded to those of the Rev R. Taylor, and was brought into town by Major Wyatt (17 Feb 1848). He complained that he was not properly paid for his share in the land at Poneke, and eventually Grey gave him a few pounds, remarking that he was the only Maori by whom he had ever been deceived.

For some years thereafter Mamaku lived at his pa up the river. Crawford visited him in 1862 at Tapui-kumara, above Ongaruhe. While engaged in a dispute with the Ngati-Tu over the ownership of the flourmill at Maraekowhai, he took some prisoners and asked Governor Browne what he should do with them. Mamaku was one of the chiefs mentioned as eligible for the position of Maori king (1857), but declined to be nominated. In 1860 he remained in seclusion up the river, his people fearing treachery if he visited Whanganui. He was one of the last chiefs baptised by the Rev R. Taylor, when he assumed the name of Hemi Topine (James Stovin). He also at one time used the names Topine te Mamaku te Ika Nui-o-Roto-o-te-Pukenga, and Te Karamu and Ngatai.

Mamaku is said to have been present in the reserve line at Orakau (Apr 1864). He was much influenced by the Hauhau cult. Jealous of the prominence that was given to Topia Turoa when he declared against Te Kooti, Mamaku sent his wife to Topia asking for arms to defend himself against Te Kooti (1869). Te Kooti was with Mamaku's people on the river, and for a while Mamaku was disposed to help him and to induce Titokowaru to join forces. He received Topia defiantly and ordered him to return to Wanganui, but Topia insisted and Mamaku yielded, sending a message to Te Kooti to move out of the district. He died in June 1887.

Lindauer (p); S.P. Smith, Taranaki; Power; Crawford; Downes (and in Polyn. Jour., Mar 1936); Cowan (p); Taylor; Wanganui Herald, Jul 1887.

Reference: Volume 2, page 28

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