MURUPAENGA (? 1760-1826), a Ngati-Whatua chief of the Ngati-Rongo hapu, lived on the eastern shores of the Kaipara river near Makarau. He was a famous warrior and made two great raids on Taranaki. In 1806, when he was about 40 years of age, he raised a taua to avenge the deaths of the Roroa people at Whakarau. They were joined by 100 of the Ngati-Whatua under Te Waru and Te Wanaaniri, on the opposite side of the harbour. The taua fell suddenly upon the Ngapuhi pa at Te Tuhuna and Tai-a-Mai, and then concluded a peace. In the following year Ngapuhi returned to the attack and were caught in an ambush at Moremonui, 12 miles south of the Maunganui Bluff, by a strong force of Ngati-Whatua under Murupaenga and Taoho. After a desperate fight, in which they had the advantage of possessing firearms, Ngapuhi were severely defeated. Several of their leaders were killed, including Pokaia, Te Waikeri, Tu-karawa, Tohi, Hou-awe, Ti and Houmoka. Hongi Hika escaped by his fleetness, but two of his brothers were killed.

About 1810 Murupaenga led a taua of Ngati-Whatua (without firearms) to Taranaki, was well received by his kinsmen at Manu-korihi, on the Waitara river, and then proceeded into the southern part of Taranaki. He was so pleased with the country that he composed a waiata in its praise. In 1818, with Tu-whare, he operated at Kawhia to assist Te Rauparaha. On this occasion he penetrated as far as Tataraimaka and returned to Kaipara with many prisoners (1819). When Marsden visited Kaipara in 1820 he was attracted by Murupaenga, who was then complaining of the depredations of Ngapuhi and had several fights with Tareha in that year. As a near relative of Hongi, he accepted an invitation to participate in the Ngapuhi expedition against Rotorua in 1823. In 1825 he was present at the battle of Te Ika-a-ranga-nui, but escaped the slaughter. A few months later (1826), while with a small party, he was attacked by a taua of the Hikutu subtribe of Ngapuhi near Maunga-tauhoro and killed. His body, which was found in the sea, was buried at Mihirau, on the Puhoi river.

Of medium height, very dark, with fiery penetrating eyes, Murupaenga was a man of quick perception and commanding mien. He was the one chief of Ngati-Whatua who for many years successfully opposed the powerful Ngapuhi, until they acquired guns. D'Urville had intended writing his life as the central piece of his study of Maori manners and customs.

S. P. Smith; Marsden, L. and J.; Dumont D'Urville.

Reference: Volume 2, page 59

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