TE MORENGA (?-1834). This fine chief of Ngapuhi (of the Uri-kapana hapu, Tai-a-mai), ranks as one of the most important figures in Maori history in the nineteenth century. A young man at the turn of the century, his life was largely influenced by an outrage committed upon his people at Bay of Islands by the pirate crew of the schooner Venus in 1806. Te Morenga's niece Tawaputa was carried off by the convicts and was found to have been killed and eaten by people of the Ngaiterangi tribe at Tauranga, while his sister met a similar fate at the hands of the Ngati-Porou at East Cape. Maori custom and a dying father's injunction laid upon Te Morenga the duty of taking vengeance; but he had to wait many years before he was in a position to do so. He fought with distinction at the battle of Moremonui (1807). As a Bay of Islands chief he made the acquaintance of Samuel Marsden on his first visit to New Zealand (1815); and their relations, extending over almost two decades, were marked by mutual regard, confidence, and understanding. Marsden found Te Morenga a man of "very sound and deep reflection," troubled by the state of his people, and looking with friendly anxiety towards the advent of some governing authority which could sternly ban tribal wars. During many months spent together Marsden acquired from Te Morenga a faithful insight into the history, psychology and lore of the Maori; and sage advice in his dealings with them. His journals are crowded with material gleaned from this source. Marsden took Te Morenga with him in the Active in 1815 visiting southern tribes and afterwards to Port Jackson, where he became familiar with the arts and institutions of the pakeha.

Te Morenga was impressed with the advantages of Christian civilisation, but he was insistent that the missionaries should teach the chiefs and their children and not those of the lower classes, who could not in any case improve their position. On his repeated request Marsden sent Shepherd across in 1820 to live among Te Morenga's people and teach them agriculture. When he himself returned to New Zealand he was unable to withdraw from the tribal wars. In Jan 1818 he at length felt strong enough to avenge the murder of his sister and niece, and he sailed with 400 warriors for East Cape. On the way he landed at the island of Motiti, where, finding Te Waru absent, he killed his uncle Te Tawhio and many others. He then landed at Whakatane, and pursued the Ngati-Awa far into the Rangitaiki country until they made a stand at Okahukura pa. The Ngapuhi attack, at first successful, was eventually repulsed with such loss that Te Morenga had to withdraw to the coast. After recuperating he took ample revenge upon the Ngati-Porou at East Cape, bringing two chiefs and many other prisoners back to Bay of Islands, where he arrived early in 1819. His relations with Hongi were never cordial and there was open fighting between their people in Dec 1819 over the potato crop at Kerikeri. But with so many tribal insults unavenged this friction was pushed aside for the time and Te Morenga took his part in Hongi's wars in all parts of the north. Early in 1820 he led a new expedition of 600 men against Te Waru, who, unrepentant, added fresh taunts to an insult 14 years old. Next day Te Morenga, having chosen his ground, awaited the first heavy volley of spears, under which one of his chiefs fell. The reply of Te Morenga's 35 muskets laid low 20 of Te Waru's men, including his father, and the rest broke and fled. Te Morenga would not permit his men to follow up the fleeing enemy, but his chiefs insisted that Te Waru had not been punished for his insulting language. Anxious to avoid bloodshed, the Ngapuhi leader sought out Te Waru's women to ascertain whether he was disposed to make peace. The answer being to the contrary, a fresh attack was delivered and Te Waru was severely defeated, leaving 400 dead on the field and losing 260 prisoners. He fled to the bush, where Te Morenga sought him out and received his submission. Te Waru was presented with a musket as utu for the death of his father and peace was made. Te Morenga and his warriors remained for three days on the field eating the bodies of the slain. The taua returned to Bay of Islands on 2 Mar 1820, an armada of 50 canoes laden with spoils and prisoners. A large canoe Te Morenga presented as a peace offering to Hongi (just returned from England).

On his visit in Jun 1820, Marsden found Te Morenga still anxious to see the cessation of tribal wars, and holding definite ideas on the introduction of civilisation. He wanted missionaries who could preach, teach the children to read and write; give medical advice when necessary, and instruct the natives in agriculture. Marsden took him in the Dromedary to the Thames district, where Te Morenga assisted him to interpret to southern tribes the truths of Christianity and the advantages of civilisation, exhorting them to abandon the tribal wars which caused so much distress to their women and children. Public reconciliations were effected between Te Morenga and some of his old enemies, and the travellers then returned to Bay of Islands mainly by foot, arriving in Sep. A few months later Te Morenga assaulted the celebrated pa Mau-ina-ina, but retired with loss. He is said to have indulged in eating the bodies of the slain. Returning to the Bay, he found Hongi back from his visit to England, amply supplied with arms and ammunition to pursue his old feuds. With Te Morenga in his war party he reduced Mau-ina-ina (Nov 1821) and then proceeded against the stronghold of Te Totara (Dec), which was captured by a deceitful peace (in which it is said that Te Morenga participated). In 1823 he assisted Pomare and Titore in their expedition against the Urewera and Ngati-Awa of Bay of Plenty. Further friction occurred with Hongi at the Bay, culminating in fighting in the mission settlement. In spite of this Te Morenga took his part in the Ngapuhi campaign which resulted in the crushing defeat of Ngati-Whatua at Te Ika-a-Ranga-nui (1825). On this occasion Te Morenga suffered a grave insult through the seduction of his wife by another chief. It was fully avenged in Maori custom by the killing and eating of the woman, but Te Morenga would not partake of the flesh.

Holding aloof as much as he could from the native quarrels of the next few years, and turning his attention to wheat-growing, Te Morenga nevertheless could not ignore the girls' war at Kororareka in 1830, inasmuch as two of the girls whose treatment caused the trouble were relatives. Te Morenga and Pomare suffered depredations developing into a general fight, which the missionaries did their best to stop. Eventually, through the mediation of Marsden, a settlement was arrived at, (14 Mar). Te Morenga seems to have assisted Titore against the Tauranga people again in 1832, but in his later years was keenly interested in fostering European agriculture and the erection of flourmills amongst his own people at Tai-amai. True to his lifelong wish to see European authority established in the country, he was one of the 48 chiefs who signed the appeal to King William for protection against the French (Nov 1831). In 1833 he sold land at Pakaraka to Henry Williams, who established a farm on it. Through his intimate relations with Samuel Marsden, the breadth of his knowledge, his "sound sense and deep reflection," shrewd judgment and keen solicitude for the welfare of his people, Te Morenga's distinction is outstanding even among his great contemporaries. He died early in 1834.

S. P. Smith, Wars; Marsden, L. and J.; Church Missionary Register, 1834, p. 59; Carleton.

Reference: Volume 2, page 53

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