TE AWAITAIA, WIREMU NAERA (?1796-1866) of Ngati-Mahanga, was a leading chief of the Waikato confederation and a close ally of Te Wherowhero (q.v.). Born at Waipa, he was the son of Te Kata and Pare-hina. When quite a young man he showed his prowess in the field by leading a taua which drove Ngati-Koata off their lands in revenge for the death of the daughter of Te Wehi. Te Awaitaia then occupied their land at Whaingaroa, making his pa at the foot of a woody headland. When Ngapuhi came to Kawhia to make war on Te Rauparaha, Te Awaitaia took part in the fighting. After the peace at Matakitaki in 1822 he led a taua of 370 men against Taranaki. In one of the engagements he had a desperate single combat with the great chief Raparapa, whom he killed. He also accompanied Waikato south in 1831, and took a leading part in the battle at Pukerangiora, from which 340 prisoners were brought back.

During a later campaign to Taranaki to obtain utu, Te Awaitaia was persuaded by a missionary to abandon fighting. He was one of the first converts, being baptised by the Rev J. Wallis at Whaingaroa about 1834, and taking the name of Wiremu Naera (William Naylor). Hearing of this event, Te Wherowhero lamented: 'I have lost my right arm.' Thenceforward Awaitaia was a firm friend of the pakeha, a zealous Christian with an unblemished character. He discarded eight of his nine wives; built the first church at Raglan and, with the help of Paul Muriwhenua, gained the release of Taranaki slaves held by the northern tribes. He journeyed to Taranaki to introduce the gospel, at once intervened to stop tribal fighting and musket warfare, and interposed in the fighting between Waikato and Ngati-Ruanui at Te Ruaki. He endeavoured to make peace at Kuititanga (1839) and is said to have proposed to Ngati-Awa that they should return to their lands in north Taranaki. While at Patoka in 1841 he tried to stop the hostilities between the Ngati-Tuwharetoa and Wiremu Kingi Matakatea. At the King meeting at Rangiriri (1857) Awaitaia objected to the movement and the flag but in speaking with the Governor at Auckland, he insisted on a separate nationality for the Maori. When the Taranaki war broke out (1860) Te Awaitaia armed his people in defence of the settlers at Raglan. Taunted by the King natives and challenged to cross the Maungatawhiri, he replied disdainfully that he was the descendant of Muriwhenua, 'who was a constant eater of men in the olden time.' In 1862 he wished to make a road from Kawhia to the Waipa, which the King leaders strongly opposed. A small force of the 12th regiment reinforced him at Raglan and the settlers were not molested. On the outbreak of the Waikato war he offered his help to the Government to defend Auckland if necessary, and gave valuable assistance to the British forces by cutting a road through the bush from his lands at Raglan to the Waipa.

Te Awaitaia died at Raglan on 27 Apr 1866 and was succeeded by his nephew (Ketaraka Naera). Handsome, dignified and courteous, Awaitaia was a brave warrior, a sagacious counsellor and a faithful ally. His influence was less wide than that of Te Wherowhero.

Cowan, Sketches (P), and Wars; Gorst; Morley; S. P. Smith, Taranaki; Angas (P); Waka Maori, 5 May 1866.

Reference: Volume 1, page 29

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