TE AHU KARAMU (or Hukiki te Ahu), a chief of the Ngati-Raukawa, was an older brother of Te Whatanui. When Te Rauparaha, having undertaken the heke to Cook Strait, met with difficulties there he appealed to Ngati-Raukawa at Maungatautari to come to his help. The first appeals failed, but at length Te Ahu Karamu collected a taua of 120 and marched southward. A progressive and successful leader in these southern wars, he was so pleased with the country that he returned for the rest of his tribe. They were reluctant to move until he ordered the young men to burn down the huts. Te Ahu was joined by Whatanui and accompanied by Te Heuheu from Taupo. He participated in the sale of Manawatu to Colonel Wakefield (1840), and in 1842 he accompanied G. C. H. Kettle on his exploration of Manawatu and Wairarapa. After Wairau Te Ahu fiercely disagreed with Te Rauparaha and threatened to lead his men back to Maungatautari. He afterwards lived at Ohau and suffered great deprivation and disappointment over the land disputes. In pre-pakeha days he was a cruel and merciless warrior, and in the early pioneer days he generally comported himself arrogantly towards the whites. His eldest son, Wahine-iti, eagerly embraced Christianity. In 1843, when not yet fourteen years old, he accompanied E. J. Wakefield to Taranaki.

N.Z.C. reports; E. J. Wakefield, Adventure; Buick, Manawatu; S. P. Smith, Taranaki

Reference: Volume 1, page 19

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