NGATATA, TE RANGI (?-1854) was a great grandson of Te Whiti Katua and Tarawhakauka, the originator of the Ngati-Tewhiti sub-tribe of Ngati-Awa. His father was Rangiwhetiki, who married Pakanga, daughter of Karaki-terangi, eldest daughter of Te Whiti. Ngatata lived for 30 years in Taranaki and saw much fierce fighting to defend that district against the invasions of Waikato taua armed with muskets. Fearing his inability to hold out indefinitely, he led some of his people in the Nihoputa heke (1824), which suffered from attacks by the Nga-Rauru while passing through their country. In 1826, after the death of Pomare, he paid an important visit to Waikato to enlist the help of Te Wherowhero, Te Kanawa and Tu-Korehu to avenge the death of Te Karawa at the hands of Ngati-Ruanui. As a result 4,000 men, under Te Wherowhero, Waharoa, Kaihau, Tarapipipi and Awaitaia marched southward. In 1829 he himself took the field against Nga-Rauru for an attack on the heke of 1824. In 1831 he came with his people to Whanganui-a-Tara (with Wharepouri and Honiana Te Puni) and fought to dispossess Ngati-Kahungunu from their lands in the neighbourhood. On account of the death of Matoha in this campaign he shot Te Maurio-te-Rangi at Te Roro, near Matakitaki, Palliser Bay, and he went with the taua under Te Wharepouri as far north as Nukutaurua. There peace was made, and the Ngati-Kahungunu were allowed to return to their cultivations in the Wairarapa. In 1832 Ngatata took part in the defence of Ngamotu, and in the heke Tama-te-Uaua to Kapiti.

When Ngatata signed the Treaty of Waitangi for the Rev Henry Williams (1840), he was very old and retiring in favour of his son, Wi Tako (q.v.). It was the latter who signed the deed of sale on his behalf. His daughter Karoraina (d. 1879) married Taiaroa, and Ngatata died at Otago Heads in 1854 when visiting her. A memorial was erected there to his memory by the Government of the day. His wife, Whetowheto, of the Ngati-Ruanui tribe, died at Wellington and was buried at Waikanae. (See WIREMU TAKO NGATATA; WHAREPOURI)

Personal information from W. H. Love; Wellington Gaz., xvi, p. 25; S. P. Smith, Taranaki; Cowan; Buick, Old New Zealander and Waitangi; Evening Post, 19 Oct, 22 Oct 1929.

Reference: Volume 2, page 64

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