TE WHEORO, or WIREMU TE WHEORO TE MOREHU MAIPAPA (1826-95), a chief of the Ngati-Naho, belonged also to the Ngati-Hourua, Ngati-Mahuta and Ngati-Hinetu tribes of Waikato. He was a near relative of Tawhiao through Wiremu te Awaitaia (of Raglan) and through Tapaue (the son of Te Kaingamata and grandson of Te Whakahaete), a powerful Waikato chief who was slain by the Ngati-Pukenga when fighting with Ngati-Maru against Te Waharoa. His mother was Ngapaoa of the Ngati-Hinetu (Rangiaowhia) who was killed at Maungatautari by the Ngati-Pukenga. His high birth, intelligence and independent character soon gave Te Wheoro a standing amongst the Waikato tribes. At the great King meeting in 1859 he earnestly exhorted the leaders to stick to the ways of the first governor - friendship, love and kindness. He spoke strongly and hopefully at Kohimarama in 1860, supported Fenton in his magistracy in Waikato and did all he could to introduce pakeha institutions. Gorst found him a most intelligent young man, not merely attached to the loyal side by pecuniary interest, but fully believing that his loyalty implied an obligation to obey. In 1861 he was the head magistrate of the runanga of Ngati-Mahuta at Te Kohekohe, and he conceived the idea of building a wooden courthouse and drilling the native youth to keep order. He resisted the King natives who came in force to float the timber away from the site. When war seemed inevitable Te Wheoro moved with his young men to Te Ia, where he established a pa in a strong position; but he could not restrain his followers from joining their tribesmen in the field. He was appointed a captain in the militia in 1863, and his services were enlisted by General Cameron to act as guide in the Waikato war. In trying to avert hostilities Te Wheoro personally met Grey and accompanied him to Taupiri, and after the battle of Rangiriri he went as ambassador to the King leaders at Ngaruawahia. His people suffered severely by confiscations, and remained aloof for many years. In 1866 he was appointed assessor of the native land court. In 1869 he attended the meeting called by the King at Hangatiki, and in the following year he visited the various King settlements and obtained from the leaders terms of agreement with the Government. In order to assist him in keeping the peace in Waikato he was appointed a major in the colonial forces in 1873, and two years later a commissioner for the natives. In various capacities he acted as a go-between and representative of the Government with the King natives until 1879. Enjoying the confidence of the natives on both sides, Te Wheoro had the overwhelming support of the Waikato tribes when they began to take an interest in politics. He represented the Western Maori in Parliament from 1879-84. In 1882 he attended the meeting at Whatiwhatihoe when the King natives made a fresh demand for the cessation of surveys until they had had time to place their grievances before Parliament. In 1884 Te Wheoro accompanied Tawhiao on a visit to England, in which he was the moving spirit. As the virtual leader of the delegation, he facilitated the negotiations with the Colonial Office. During his absence the Western Maori seat was won by Te Puke te Ao. Te Wheoro tried at four elections to regain the seat but without success. He consistently advocated greater representation for the Maori in Parliament and a separate government. In Jan 1890 he accompanied other Waikato chiefs to interview the governor at Auckland, when the occasion was taken (1 Feb) for a noteworthy loyal utterance of the Waikato leaders. Te Wheoro died on 30 Oct 1895, at his settlement near Churchill. He was a short, thickset man with heavy features, a strong, shrewd expression and a genial personality.

Polyn. Jour., xvi, 25; xviii, 50-56, 60-70, 86; Dominion Museum Bulletins, iii, 56, 57; Gorst; Gisborne (p); Korimako, 15 Jun 1882; N.Z. Times, 17 Sep 1879; N.Z. Herald, 10 Sep 1884, 30 Oct, 2 Nov 1895 (p); Southern Cross, 24 Apr 1868.

Reference: Volume 2, page 247

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