Battle between rival Maori printing presses
Said of a speaker suspected of having dishonest or undeclared motives. It is easy to imagine that the news media battle for public opinion, which accompanies most wars, is a relatively modern development. However, well before British troops, under Lieutenant General Duncan Cameron crossed the Mangatawhiri Stream and invaded Waikato in 1863, a media war was already in progress between the Kingitanga publication Te Hokioi e Rere Atu Na, named after a mythical bird which was flying to spread the news, and a Government sponsored rival publication Te Pihoihoi Mokemoke i Runga i te Tuanui, taking its name from Psalm 102:7 ‘I watch, and am as a sparrow alone upon the house-top’.
The Maori-language newspaper edited by Wiremu Patara Te Tuhi claimed that an honest application of the Treaty of Waitangi would limit the sovereignty of the British colonial government over Maori and that troops and gunships on the Waikato River, without the permission of the Maori owners of the river, was a breach of the treaty.
In February 1863, the government set up a rival Maori-language newspaper at Te Awamutu, edited by John Gorst and in the first edition put forward Governor George Grey’s argument that there could not be two governments in authority over one country.
Gorst was an English lawyer, who had been appointed by Governor Grey as inspector of schools, resident magistrate and civil commissioner in Upper Waikato. He was said to have been a very intelligent and ethical man and a member of the liberal Aborigine Protection League.
His rival editor Te Tuhi, which simply means writer, was born into the Ngati Mahuta hapu of Waikato and originally named Taieti. He was baptised at Kawhia and took the name William Butler (Wiremu Patara), probably after a sponsor or clergyman. His father was Paratene Te Maioha, a cousin of Potatau Te Wherowhero, the first Maori King. Te Tuhi was a second cousin of Tawhiao, Te Wherowhero’s successor, and served him as editor, warrior, secretary and adviser. In 1856, Iwikau Te Heuheu Tukino III held a meeting at Pukawa, where it was decided to offer the Maori kingship to Te Wherowhero and young Taieti, attended as Te Wherowhero’s representative.
In 1859 two Waikato men, Wiremu Toetoe and Hemara Te Rerehau, travelled to Austria on the frigate Novara, and were trained in printing techniques at the state printing house in Vienna. As a parting gift, in May 1860 Archduke Maximilian gave them a printing press, which was shipped to Ngaruawahia.
By late 1861 the press was used to print a newspaper, which carried the proclamations of Tawhiao, who had succeeded his father Te Wherowhero as King, and news of the King movement to its adherents.
John Gorst published in the Government newspaper, Governor George Grey’s argument that there could not be two governments in authority over one country. The article made false accusations and was severely critical of the Maori King Movement. The tone of the article infuriated Ngati Mahuta and their allies, and on March 24 Rewi Maniapoto marched into the little frontier town of Te Awamutu at the head of about 80 armed and angry men.
People scurried for cover but Rewi, who had intended to kill Gorst, had been persuaded by the Ngati Haua leader Tarapipi Te Waharoa not to spill Pakeha blood, was only intent on closing down the offending publication and no shots were fired or anyone hurt.
At the Government newspaper office, the printing press, paper and copies of the fifth, and final, issue of Te Pihoihoi were seized.
Gorst was ordered to leave Te Awamutu, and was accommodated by his rival editor, Patara Te Tuhi, in the printing house at Ngaruawahia on his way back to Auckland.
The action was seen as a direct challenge to Grey’s authority even though the Maori King Tawhiao had condemned Rewi’s actions, and ordered him to return the press.
He also made it clear that he, the Maori King, would decide the question of the presence of the governor’s official in Waikato.
In spite of Tawhiao’s efforts to avoid war, on 12 July 1863 General Duncan Cameron and British troops crossed the Mangatawhiri River and Te Hokioi also ceased publication. The press was abandoned but was later recovered and is now in the Te Awamutu Museum.
Patara Te Tuhi fought against the British all through the campaign in Waikato, and went into exile with Tawhiao in 1864.
The King and his followers remained in isolation in the King Country for nearly 20 years. In May 1878, Patara Te Tuhi spoke at a meeting at Hikurangi, near Kawhia, at which Grey, now premier, was present. He told Grey that the King movement was reluctant to begin negotiations with the government until the confiscation of Waikato lands had been discussed. This issue stalemated negotiations for a number of years.
In 1884, Patara Te Tuhi went to England with Tawhiao, as the King’s assistant and secretary.
After returning to New Zealand he lived at Mangere, near his brother, Honana Te Maioha. His portrait was painted by C F Goldie and a number of photographs were taken of him, showing him to be an imposing figure with a fully tattooed face. He represented Tawhiao at an intertribal conference at Orakei in 1889 and was responsible for issuing proclamations for Mahuta, who succeeded Tawhiao as King in 1894.
Patara Te Tuhi was known for his shrewdness and his good nature and his rival editor John Gorst met him again on a visit to New Zealand in 1906. He died at Mangere on July 2, 1910, and was said to be aged 85 or 86.
He was buried at Taupiri, near the Waikato River.
Want to get in touch with Tom O’Connor? Email him on tomoc@clear.net.nz.