KOPU, PARAPARA PITIERA (?-1867), a chief of Ngati-Kahungunu at Wairoa, was descended from Kahungunu through Tuteihonga and was the son of Haputanga, who was killed in Pomare's attack on Kaimango. Kopu took to the bush with his grandfather, Rekehini, who adjured him to take revenge. After the fall of Titirangi (1832) Kopu and Henare Apatari went on with a strong force to Kaiuku, where they were besieged by Waikato and their allies. Still a young man, he led one of the war parties at Toka-kuku (1836), where Ngapuhi and Ngati-Kahungunu were victorious over the Bay of Plenty tribes.

The Treaty of Waitangi having brought peace amongst the tribes, Kopu led an armed party to Hauraki Gulf for the purpose of bringing back some of his people, who had been kept prisoners by Ngati-Maru since the invasions of Taraia, or had been sold to Ngati-Maru by Tuhoe in exchange for guns. They met with resistance from the local people and many casualties occurred in the fighting, including Kopu's brother.

By this time Kopu was under the influence of Christianity; he adopted civilised customs and took an active part in the Europeanisation of his people. He was a disinterested and public spirited chief, generous in the extreme. Through his marriage with Mere Karaka, a woman of illustrious descent, he extended his influence in the Wairoa district. When the Hauhau emissaries first approached the East Coast Kopu and Whanga, two of the most dependable chiefs in the district, threw their whole weight against the new doctrines. Mere Karaka, on the other hand, sympathised with Te Kooti in later years, and on this account made a voluntary renunciation of her rights to confiscated land. In Mar 1866 Kopu surprised Te Waru's brother (who surrendered with his followers), and two months later marched to Napier, cutting down all Hauhau poles. He and Whanga led the friendlies at Te Kopani and tried to restrain Ropata from killing the prisoners. A few months later he was engaged at the battle of Omarunui (Oct).

Kopu sold to the government early in 1867 the site of Wairoa and came under the displeasure of his people on account of a great gathering at which the chief agreed to the cession of 70,000 acres of land to the Government. He died on 11 Apr 1867, while his men were still in the field against Te Kooti. Kopu received a sword of honour from the Queen. He commanded his own schooner, the Effort.

Lambert (p); Sir Apirana Ngata (information); Waka Maori, 1873, p. 145.

Reference: Volume 1, page 255

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