PANGO, also called NGAIHI and NGAWAI, was a chief of Ngati-Whakaue at Rotorua, and a priest with great mana. While visiting Bay of Islands in 1828 he was suspected of directing the bullets that killed Hongi and Whareumu. Feeling ran very high and it was through the efforts of Henry Williams that Pango and some of his people were saved from death at the hands of the Ngapuhi chief Kaingamata and shipped to Maketu on their way home to Rotorua. Others were taken by the Herald later. Three years later Pango sent a message to Paihia asking for a missionary, and eventually Thomas Chapman (q.v.) was stationed there. Pango was one of the leaders of Ngati-Whakaue in the attack on the Ngati-te-Rangi pa at Te Tumu in 1836, when the Arawa regained their outlet on the Bay of Plenty. He was one of the most learned men of the tribe.

Cycl. NZ, ii (p); Carleton; Buller; Cowan.

Reference: Volume 2, page 76

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