TIAKITAI (?-1833), a chief of Ngati-Kahungunu, in Hawke's Bay, was leader of the delegation which went to Waikato to make peace with Te Wherowhero after the disaster of Pakake (1824). After this engagement many of the important chiefs of Heretaunga (Hawke's Bay) were taken as prisoners to Waikato by the invaders. Following the peace made by Tiakitai, they were released. On account of the success gained at Te Pakake by Waikato, Ngati-Raukawa and their allies, another invasion of Hawke's Bay was made by Ngati-Raukawa in 1826-27, under Te Momo. Tiakitai sent word to Te Wera, the Ngapuhi chief, and Pare-ihe, who were at Nukutaurua on the Mahia peninsula, to come to his assistance and attack Ngati-Raukawa, who had taken charge of the two pas at Te Roto-atara. A strong force came under the two chiefs and defeated the invaders. Pare-ihe and Te Wera then returned to Mahia. Te Momo having been killed in the engagement, the Hawke's Bay chiefs knew that his death would not pass unavenged, so they collected the people from southern Hawke's Bay and concentrated them for protection at Nukutaurua. The avenging taua came in 1828. Ngati-Kahungunu were closely besieged by their enemies, Waikato, Ngati-Raukawa, Ngati-Tuwharetoa, Ngati-Maru, Te Arawa and others, and reduced to the degradation of having to eat mud in their pa on account of being besieged. The battle and pa hence became known as Kai-uku (to eat mud). Tiakitai was drowned at sea near Nuhaka about 1833.

Lambert; S. P. Smith; J. H. Grace (information).

Reference: Volume 2, page 195

🌳 Further sources