TAIAROA, TE MATENGA (? 1783-1863) was a son of Korako and Wharerauaruhe. He belonged to the Ruahikihiki hapu of Ngai-Tahu and to the Ngati-Moki hapu of Ngati-Mamoe, and was subordinate to Tuhawaiki. Taiaroa took a leading part in the defence of Kaiapohia (1831). He had just left on his return to Otakou when the Ngati-Toa appeared. Hurrying back to assist in the defence, he made a bold sortie to destroy the enemy's canoes at the Selwyn river, but was foiled by rain. He then escaped to Otakou with his taua. After the death of Tamaiharanui he exercised a beneficial influence over the tribe and co-operated with Tuhawaiki in two expeditions against Te Rauparaha. In 1835 Taiaroa took command of an expedition of 400 men, in canoes and boats, which followed the invaders as far as Tory Channel and then to Waitohi, at the head of the sound, where a battle was fought which in skirmishes and personal combats lasted for several days. Te Rauparaha, weakened by his long campaign, treated the enemy with some respect and eventually Taiaroa, having separated and killed all the Rangitane he could find in the Wairau, retired southward for lack of provisions. At the massacre of Te Puoho's taua at Tuturau (1836) he wished to spare the Ngati-Mutunga, who had saved him at Kaiapohia, but was overruled. While in Sydney in 1838 he sold a 20-mile square of land to John Jones (q.v.). In the following year he sailed north with Tuhawaiki, with 40 fully armed boats, against Te Rauparaha. It is not certain whether Taiaroa signed the Treaty of Waitangi, though the name appears on the parchments. In 1840 he saw D'Urville, who thought little of him. From constant intercourse with whalers Taiaroa acquired the habit of drinking and rough manners, and E. J. Wakefield found him habitually speaking in a jargon of whaler slang, broken French and bad English. Tuckett considered him tyrannous and avaricious; of medium height and great strength, with a repulsive Jewish physiognomy. He was generally hostile to the pakeha and several times raided the settlements at Waikouaiti. After the affair at Wairau in 1843 Taiaroa, who was then living at Pigeon Bay (Banks Peninsula), visited Te Rauparaha at Taupo pa, a reconciliation was effected, and he seemed inclined for a while to make common cause against the pakeha. Taiaroa in 1848 ceded his claims in Canterbury and Otago for £2000. He was present at the meeting held at Pukawa at the invitation of Te Heuheu to further the King movement, and at a later date was asked to negotiate between the government and Tawhiao. In 1859 he was baptised in the Methodist faith, and on the same day married Karoraina, a daughter of Ngatata (q.v.). She died at Te Aro in 1879. Taiaroa was a prominent figure in the early days of the Otago settlement. He died at Otago on 4 Feb 1863.

Shortland; Selwyn, Annals; Pratt; McNab; Whaling; Buick, Old New Zealander; Travers;

Reference: Volume 2, page 182

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