TUROA, TE PEEHI HETAU (? 1802-74) was the son of Peehi Turoa (q.v.). Though older than Tahana, his half-brother, he had not the same strength of character, and Tahana succeeded his father as chief. As a young man Peehi saw service with his father in tribal wars. He led the contingent of the Ngati-Patu-tokotoko which assisted the Ngati-Tuwharetoa at Patoka in the early forties. Like his father, he resented the settlement of New Zealand by whites, and he took an active part in the fighting when Te Mamaku led his taua against the settlers at the Hutt valley in 1846.

Te Peehi was a leader of the King movement in the upper Whanganui in the fifties and was one of the chiefs to whom the offer of the leadership was made in 1857. In 1860 Governor Gore Browne sent him, through Te Anaua, a staff of honour. J. C. Crawford, who saw him in 1861, described Peehi as an old and crafty savage. He was influenced very early by the Hauhau cult, but having come under missionary influence did not become fully involved. He did, however, take part in the attack on Pipiriki (Feb 1865), but was defeated by Brassey and retired to his pa at Te Ao Marama, where he sheltered the retreating Hauhau after their defeats at Moutoa and Ohoutahi. For this he was excluded from the proclamation of peace (2 Sep 1865). He was pardoned on 12 Apr 1867, but his loyalty was never above suspicion and in 1871 he joined his relatives in seeking peace. He called a meeting of friendly tribes at Mangaio in 1866 to debate the King movement.

Kerry Nicholls, who visited the King Country in 1882, found Te Peehi Hetau Turoa living at Ngatokorua. He appeared to be about 60 years old and was a fine, athletic Maori of dignified soldierly bearing. He was 6ft 3in in height, and had a close-cropped white beard. In social life he was courteous, witty and amusing. His principal wife was Ngaruma. Peehi Hetau Turoa died in Nov 1874.

Cycl. NZ, i; J. C. Crawford, Recollections; Kerry-Nicholls; Cowan, ii (p); Downes, Old Whanganui.

Reference: Volume 2, page 207

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