MOETARA MOTU TONGAPORUTU (?-1864) was a powerful chief of the Ngati Korokoro hapu of Ngapuhi, who lived at Pakanae, near the mouth of the Hokianga harbour. He was a son of Te Aitu and a brother of Moetara Rangatira. A courageous war chief, he was one of the leaders of his tribe on the Amiowhenua expedition (1819-20). Anxious from the earliest years of the century to encourage European traders to visit Hokianga (which was shunned on account of its dangerous bar), Moetara actively promoted the traffic in spars and showed every hospitality to European artisans who happened to land in Hokianga. He adopted several of those who remained from the Rosanna (1827).

Moetara and Rangatira were unable to protect the survivors of the schooner Enterprise (3 May 1828), but when the Fortitude (Captain Clendon) went ashore at the Whirinaki river (1833) they intervened to protect the interests of the shipwrecked people. With about 300 men they marched to the scene, being joined on the way by Tamati Waka Nene (q.v.). Fortifying themselves in Captain Young's station at One Tree Point, they recovered the papers after sharp fighting with the plunderers, who belonged to the Hikutu tribe. Twenty-five chiefs of standing were killed in this affair. The friendly and strong action of the brothers, for which Moetara received a sword and the thanks of the Governor of Tasmania, overcame the objection of traders to visit Hokianga. Before 1840 the chiefs had a considerable number under their protection. Moetara was highly thought of by captains, and made several voyages round the coast with them. Though unfortunately addicted to drink, he co-operated in Macdonnell's plan to prohibit it (1835). He was reluctant to become a Christian, but requested that a missionary be stationed in his district, preferably at Pakanae. Eventually a mission was established about two miles from Pakanae, and he was baptised there. Moetara joined with Nene, Patuone and the other chiefs in the petition for British protection against outrages and foreign aggression. When the chiefs assembled to select a New Zealand flag he was asked to make the choice, and when the ensign was hoisted and saluted at Bay of Islands Moetara made a dignified speech.

Cycl. NZ, ii (p); Buick, Hokianga; Carleton; Ramsden; S. P. Smith, Wars; Sherrin and Wallace.

Reference: Volume 2, page 47

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