TITOKOWARU (d. 1888) was a chief of the Ngati-Manuhiakai hapu, Nga-Ruahine sub-tribe of Ngati-Ruanui, and belonged by descent also to the Tangahoe tribe. Though a minor chief, his name was a family one, and he enjoyed the greatest mana amongst all the chiefs of Ngati-Ruanui. He is said to have been one of the chiefs with Matakatea (q.v.) inside Ngateko (Waimate) in 1833-34, and assisted at the peacemaking after the defeat of the Waikato. Early in life Titokowaru accompanied the Rev Skevington to Auckland, where he was baptised as 'Hohepa.' When still a young man he was engaged in the first important Hauhau battle, the attack on Sentry Hill (30 Apr 1864), where he received a glancing blow from a bullet which destroyed the sight of his right eye. This injury emphasised the sternness of his countenance.

In 1866, living in his village of Rimatoto, he already had some reputation as a Hauhau prophet and tohunga. Gathering about him the young warriors of the Nga-Ruahine, Ngati-Ruanui, Ngati-Tupaea, Pakakohe and Nga-Rauru tribes, he moved from kainga to kainga discussing a new plan of campaign through ambuscades, surprises and enticing soldiers away from their units. He adopted some of the Hauhau rites, the worship of Uenuku and Tu (the gods of battles) and their propitiation by sacrifice of flesh from the bodies of the enemy. About five feet nine inches in height, dark, spare and muscular, he had a loud, raucous voice and was fierce and rude in manner. He carried only the sacred tokotoko or staff. Though he does not appear to have indulged in cannibalism himself, his warriors certainly did. He held aloof from the King movement and exulted in its reverses in the field. In May 1868 some horses belonging to settlers were stolen. When the magistrate (Booth) arrived at Te Ngutu-o-te-Manu with a force of 100 men under Colonel McDonnell to arrest two of his chiefs, Titokowaru defied them. Next month three military settlers at Te Rauna were murdered, and a private of the Armed Constabulary was killed within sight of the redoubt at Waihi, half the body being taken away and eaten. Titokowaru strengthened his position at Te Ngutu-o-te-Manu, and select raiding parties, the Tekau-ma-Rua, were chosen by him (by divination) for offensive service. On 16 Jul a taua of 60 thus chosen and led by a near relative (Haowhenua) attacked the redoubt at Turuturumokai, killing Captain Ross and half the garrison of 20. On 7 Sep Colonel McDonnell attacked Te Ngutu with a strong force, but finding it, as he supposed, too strongly held, he did not press the attack, and retired with heavy losses (including Major von Tempsky, Captain Buck and Lieutenant Hunter killed). Most of the dead were burned, but some were eaten. Titokowaru's mana was now very high. The Colonial forces, much depressed, withdrew to Patea, and McDonnell resigned.

Colonel Whitmore, who succeeded him, made his headquarters at Wairoa to protect the settlements south of the Waitotara river and Titokowaru, abandoning Te Ngutu, established himself at Moturoa, four miles distant. This place was not fully fortified when Whitmore attacked on 7 Nov. Owing to poor reconnaissance the attack failed with considerable loss to the Colonials and very little to Titokowaru. Whitmore again withdrew, this time behind the Waitotara river, while Titokowaru, emboldened by his success, established himself in a strong position at Tauranga-hika, on Whitmore's front, with an extensive outlook over the coast lands. Whitmore was at this juncture ordered to withdraw his force behind the Kai-iwi river and to proceed himself to the East Coast. Returning to the West Coast command in Jan 1869, he immediately paid attention to the hostile position at Tauranga-hika, which was strongly fortified. He had almost completed his investment (2 Feb 1869) when the enemy evacuated without interference. This retreat was mainly due to Titokowaru's loss of mana, through a liaison with Puarauranga (the wife of one of his chiefs), which in the eyes of his followers impaired his tapu. As he retreated towards Taranaki, his rearguard was constantly engaged in protecting the women and children. They reached Patea in the middle of Feb short of food and ammunition, and turned into the bush towards Otautu, where a fierce rearguard action was fought on 12 Mar. At Whakamara, a well-provided site of former Hauhau resistance, Titokowaru endeavoured to rest, but the pursuit was too hot, and his scattered forces retreated to the protection of the Ngaere swamp, eventually finding sanctuary in the forest of Ngatimaru, where he occupied the Kawau pa, on the upper Waitara river. A reward of £1,000 was offered for his apprehension, but no further steps were taken against him. When visiting Te Whiti in 1870 he stated that he would remain quiet if he was not interfered with.

In 1875, when the Government purchased the district, Titokowaru returned to the plains and reoccupied without hindrance the old tribal lands. He became a follower of Te Whiti and every month went with his people to Parihaka. On their cultivations on the Waimate plains they earned about £3,000 a year from the sale of cocksfoot seed. Much of this was contributed to Te Whiti's cause, and much also of the takoha received from the Government in respect of tribal lands. As the active agent of Te Whiti and Tohu, Titokowaru and his people many times interfered with the survey parties in Taranaki. At the raid on Parihaka (1881) he was arrested but released on a nolle prosequi. On 25 Nov 1881, at New Plymouth, he was bound over for 12 months. On the last occasion on which he was arrested, for malicious trespass on a pakeha farm, he was imprisoned for one month (Nov 1886). Later in the eighties Titokowaru organised and led many of Te Whiti's hekes, or feasting pilgrimages, from kainga to kainga.

Cowan (p); Kimble Bent (p); M. S. Grace (p); Whitmore; Gorton; N.Z. Herald, 18 Aug 1888.

Reference: Volume 2, page 197

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