MOEHANGA, a young Ngapuhi warrior of good family, lived at Patuna, north of Whangarei. He attracted the attention of Dr Savage (q.v.) on his visit to Bay of Islands in the whaler Ferret in 1805, and accompanied him to England, by way of Cape Horn and St Helena (where he first saw European civilisation). Moehanga was well received in England, where he spent a few weeks under Savage's protection, and was presented to Lord Fitzwilliam, president of the Council. As the first New Zealander to visit the country, he attracted much attention and received many gifts of tools, with instruction in their use. He returned to New Zealand under the care of Captain Philip Skelton, of the Ferret.

Nicholas saw Moehanga in 1815 and Marsden met him in 1819, when he had been punished and banished by his chief for stealing an axe from a ship. P. Dillon, who considered him a chief, took him from Bay of Islands in 1827 to New Hebrides and back.

Savage, Some Account of New Zealand, 1807; S.P. Smith; Dillon; Nicholas; Marsden, L. and J.

Reference: Volume 2, page 47

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