NUKU-PEWAPEWA (?-1839), a celebrated chief of the Kahukura-Awhitia sub-tribe of Ngati-Kahungunu (Wairarapa), was a son of Tamaroro and grandson of Te Ahi. As a lad he was adept at mimicry, and later contrived by stealth to learn the karakia of the tohunga. On reaching man's estate he built himself a pa (Nga-mahanga) on the Ruamahanga river, strongly fortified and provided with an underground passage. It was garrisoned by 100 men and was never taken. His first successful fight was the capture of Maungarake pa, which was occupied by Ngati-Haumoana, Waitaha and Tama-wahine under Te Toko-o-te-Rangi and Te Haupapa-o-te-Rangi. The latter was captured but spared with 400 of his people. Nuku had another triumph at the siege of Oruhi pa, on the Whareama river, where he planned an ambush and enticed the defenders to come out by sending forward a weak party to the attack.

Nuku suffered considerable loss in an attack on his pa Pehikatia by the Ngapuhi and Ngati-Whatua under Tuwhare (1820), but turned the tables by a ruse and captured many prisoners and some guns. In 1821 he followed the invaders as far as Porirua. Later, when pressed by Ngati-Awa from Whanganui-a-Tara (Port Nicholson), he retreated to Ahuriri (Napier), making a stand at Waimarama. When he took his people to Nukutaurua (Mahia Peninsula) to be nearer to European traders, the Ngati-Toa, Ngati-Awa and Ngati-Raukawa took possession of Wairarapa. Nuku returned with a taua (including Hapuku), advanced towards the greatest concentration, at Pikoke, near Featherston, and by a night attack surprised Te Wharepouri. The latter escaped with difficulty, but his wife, Te Ua-mairangi, and eldest daughter, Ripeka te Kakapi, were captured. Nuku sent the former back to Whanganui-a-Tara with a strong guard to offer peace. Having acceded to the invitation of Pareihe to assist in resisting Te Heuheu, who was besieging Roto-a-Tara, he obtained guns from the whalers at Nukutaurua. They defeated the taua of Ngati-Tuwharetoa, Waikato and Ngati-Raukawa, and then proceeded to help Ngati-Porou against their northern neighbours. Another attack having been made by Ngati-Tuwharetoa (under Te Heuheu), Ngati-Raukawa (under Te Whatanui) and Whanganui (under Pehi Turoa), Nuku-pewapewa and Pareihe, assisted by Te Wera (q.v.), made an expedition to Taupo and defeated the local tribe at Omakukura, after which peace was made. Having avenged losses suffered at the hands of Rangitane, Nuku returned to his home at Ahuriri to receive the peace messengers of Wharepouri (who was, in fact, on the way), but as he entered Hawke's Bay in his canoe Nuku was drowned in a fierce gale at Te Whakaki, near Wairoa (before 1840). Wharepouri honoured the agreement come to and retired with his people to Whanganui-a-Tara, leaving the Wairarapa plains to the Ngati-Kahungunu.

Nuku-Pewapewa was of exceptional stature. He was a noted poet, his compositions revealing a deep knowledge of the mythology of his race.

Polyn. Jour., Vol. 25, p. 6 and vol. 45, p. 364 (T. W. Downes).

Reference: Volume 2, page 68

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