NAYTI, of the Ngati-Toa tribe, was a son of Mahurenga and claimed to be related to Te Rauparaha. Born about 1812, when his people were at Kawhia, he arrived in France in 1837 in a French whaler, the captain of which had promised that he would see King Louis Philippe. He was at once conducted to England by E. G. Wakefield's instructions, and lived there for two years. His companion, Jackey, died of tuberculosis in Dr Evans's home. Nayti spent two years in London, learning the language and being treated with every consideration. He saw the sights of London and rode in Hyde Park. In 1838 he gave evidence before the parliamentary committee, and in the following year he returned to New Zealand with the preliminary expedition of the New Zealand Company in the Tory. His influence with his own people, who were settled in the neighbourhood of Port Nicholson, was not of any importance and Barrett and others acted as interpreters for Colonel Wakefield. Nayti immediately reverted to his old style of life. He occasionally visited Wakefield in Wellington.

G.B.O.P., 1837-38/680, 1840/238 p. 27; N.Z.C.; N.Z.C. reports 1844, F40; E. J. Wakefield; O'Connor; Saturday Magazine, Dec 1837, p. 353.

Reference: Volume 2, page 61

🌳 Further sources