APATU, PAORA (?-1875), a Wairoa chief, the son of Te Apatu, was descended from Kahungunu and Ruatapuwahine. When Pomare attacked the Ngati-Kahungunu in Kaimango pa (1818-19) the defenders stole the Ngapuhi canoes, in which Te Apatu put to sea to escape the vengeance of the northern taua. He was drowned on the Wairoa bar in 1854. Paora Apatu and Kopu (q.v.) in 1866 sold the land on which Wairoa stands. He stood out against the Hauhau invasion and strengthened his pa as soon as the emissaries entered the district. In the campaign against Te Kooti, Apatu and Whanga led their contingents in the pursuit from Wairoa (Jul 1868). They were present at Whitmore's first assault at Makaretu, though too late to take part. Apatu had not much influence and could muster only 25 men to accompany the friendlies in the Waikaremoana expedition (1870). He died in Oct 1875.

Lambert; Cowan

Reference: Volume 1, page 25

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