WAIKATO (? 1790-1877), a Ngapuhi chief of Rangihoua, Bay of Islands, was a fine intelligent man. Inspired by the example of his kinsman Ruatara to see the world, he sailed in Feb 1819 with Kendall and his brother-in-law Hongi in the whaler New Zealander. During the four months he spent in England he collaborated with Professor Lee in the compilation of his Maori grammar. He had an audience of King George IV, from whom he received a helmet. Returning to New Zealand by the Westmoreland (Jul 1821), Waikato was reluctant to engage in warfare. The only expedition on which he afterwards went was that of Hongi against Hinaki. The sight of his comrades devouring human bodies so affected him that he could not eat for several days. He regretted the impossibility of living at peace, and was willing to acknowledge the sovereignty of Hongi if he would cease fighting. He even considered taking his family to live in New South Wales. Waikato lived later at Te Puna, where he died 17 Sep 1877. Though he never professed Christianity, he adopted while in England the Christian names of the secretary of the Church Missionary Society (Josiah Pratt), from whom he received much kindness. Waikato was consistently friendly to the missions and pakeha settlers, and enjoyed a pension. In 1841 he pacified the natives during the trial of Maketu.

Marsden, L. and J.; S. P. Smith; Sherrin and Wallace; Church Missionary Register, 1820, pp.

Reference: Volume 2, page 222

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