TE PEHI KUPE (?-1829), a famous chief of the early nineteenth century, was partly Ngati-Toa and partly Ngati-Awa. His mother, Waipuna-a-hau, was a sister of Rauhoe. (See TE PUOHO). His first wife, Tiaia, was of the Tainui hapu of Waikato. Te Pehi was the uncle of Te Rauparaha and superior to him in rank. A leader of great courage and sagacity, he took part in the heke Tahutahu-ahi, from Kawhia to Urenui (Sep 1821). On this he was accompanied by Tiaia, who prevented Te Rauparaha from killing Rangituatea and, with Te Akau, prevented the Ngati-Maniapoto from attacking the heke at the mouth of the Mokau river. In 1822 they moved on towards Kapiti, taking part en route in the reduction of the Whanganui pa at Putiki-wharanui. In 1823, while Te Rauparaha was engaged elsewhere, Te Pehi attacked the Muaupoko stronghold on Kapiti and captured it. Though older than Te Rauparaha and a very brave warrior, he accepted the domination of his nephew and faithfully supported him.

Having made up his mind, against the wishes of his people, to visit England, Te Pehi in Feb 1824 boarded the whaler Urania, which was passing through Cook Strait and refused to leave her despite the determined efforts of Captain Reynolds to put him ashore. Taking his turn of duty with the crew, he won the regard of all on board. At Monte Video he saved the life of the captain by jumping overboard and swimming to his assistance, and when they reached England he lived in the captain's household at Liverpool for some months. He took a great interest in agriculture and mechanics and was keenly anxious to obtain not only tools and agricultural implements, but also firearms to defend his people against the northern conquerors. The British government made Captain Reynolds an allowance for the maintenance of Te Pehi while in England, and arranged for his return passage to New Zealand by the storeship Thames in 1825. The government having discountenanced supplying firearms, Te Pehi obtained some in Sydney by bartering the clothing and agricultural implements which had been presented to him in England.

His visit to England imbued him with a great desire for civilised society, but on his return to New Zealand he found that three of his daughters had been killed by the Ngati-Apa at Waikanae. He soon took the field with Te Rauparaha in the conquest of the South Island, for the purpose of seeking satisfaction from the Ngai-Tahu for insults Te Rauparaha had received, and for harbouring Kekerengu. After the defeat of the Ngai-Tahu at Omihi, they were pursued and besieged at Kaiapohia. There Te Pehi and other chiefs were received into the pa as guests and all were killed (1829). Rangihiroa, a worthy but diffident old chief, was Te Pehi Kupe's younger brother.

Te Pehi Kupe's son, TE-HIKO-O-TE-RANGI, who succeeded him, had command of the tribe during his father's absence. He took part in the heke Tama-te-Uaua (1832) and was at Haowhenua (1834). He was a man of commanding stature and noble, intelligent physiognomy, sparing of words and dignified in manner. He treasured highly his father's injunctions to lead an upright life, and was more concerned to receive from the New Zealand Company in payment for the land articles of use and comfort than munitions of war. Not robust in temperament, he allowed Te Rauparaha to encroach upon his mana. He signed the Treaty of Waitangi (1840). Te Hiko married Topeora, a daughter of Rangihaeata.

Stack; Travers; Buick, Old New Zealander; E. J. Wakefield; S. P. Smith, Wars and Taranaki; Marsden, L. and J.; The New Zealanders (Library of Entertaining Knowledge, 1830) (p); N.Z. Times, 16 Oct 1906; N.Z. Herald, 9, 16 Oct 1886.

Reference: Volume 2, page 83

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