Brief History

The origins of Ngati Whatua in Aotearoa begin in the far north. Over time Ngati Whatua migrated south toward the large and bountiful Kaipara Harbour . At that point, Waiohua were the tribe occupying Tamaki Makaurau. In the mid-17 th century, Waiohua, led by Kiwi Tamaki, attacked Ngati Whatua in the Kaipara. War parties were sent and battles were fought in Tamaki Makaurau. Ngati Whatua took possession of Tamaki Makaurau, overrunning the Waiohua.

Tuperiri, a Ngati Whatua rangatira (chief) remained in Tamaki Makaurau to consolidate Ngati Whatua manawhenua (customary authority). There were marriages between Ngati Whatua and Waiohua survivors with the descendants of these marriages later acquiring the name Ngaoho, and Te Uringutu. Most importantly, from 1740 manawhenua was established by Ngati Whatua through occupation, use and management of the abundant Tamaki Makaurau resources.

Before 1840 Ngati Whatua had limited contact with Europeans. On 20 March 1840 , Te Kawau, Te Reweti and Te Tinana signed the Treaty of Waitangi on the shores of Manukau. After the signing of the Treaty, Ngati Whatua sent a deputation of chiefs to the Bay of Islands inviting Governor Hobson to establish a township on their lands. Thousands of acres were made available in exchange for European education, medicine and the opportunity to trade. Hobson accepted the invitation and an alliance with the Crown was in prospect.

However, within 10 years of signing the Treaty of Waitangi, Ngati Whatua in Tamaki Makaurau would lose control over much of Tamaki Makaurau. Apihai Te Kawau, the grandson of Tuperiri and Ngati Whatua rangatira, wanted to protect what remained of Ngati Whatua lands, namely the 700 acre Orakei Block. Apihai Te Kawau used the Native Land Court to confirm Ngati Whatua’s title to the Orakei Block and ensure that it stayed in communal ownership not individual title.

In 1868, Chief Judge Fenton found in favour of 3 hapu of Ngati Whatua in Tamaki: Te Taou, Ngaoho and Te Uringutu. These 3 hapu are collectively referred to as Ngati Whatua o Orakei. The Native Land Court declared that the Orakei Block would be “…absolutely inalienable to any person in any manner whatsoever”. However, to the dismay of Ngati Whatua, in 1898 the Native Land Court divided the bulk of the Orakei Block into individual title and communal ownership was extinguished.

Ngati Whatua o Orakei would continue to protest through the Courts, but to no avail. By 1951, Ngati Whatua o Orakei were evicted from their homes in Okahu Bay and relocated as tenants of 35 state houses. The marae, homes and buildings were pulled down and burnt. The hapu would be virtually landless except for a ¼ acre area on the Okahu Domain which comprised the urupa – cemetery.

In 1976 the Crown moved to a final disposal of its remaining lands at Orakei. This was the last 60 acres of uncommitted land at Orakei that the hapu had notified their interest in settlement of their claims. In the event, a section of Ngati Whatua, under the leadership of Joseph Parata Hawke, protested by occupying Bastion Point for 506 days. On 25 May 1978 the Government sent in a massive force of police and army, the largest internal mobilisation of Police in New Zealand ’s history, to evict them for trespassing on Crown land. Two hundred and twenty two people, majority being Ngati Whatua, were arrested for trespass from their ancestral lands.

Ngati Whatua o Orakei lodged a claim with the Waitangi Tribunal over the loss of the 700 acre Orakei Block. The Government agreed the Crown failed to keep its part of the Treaty of Waitangi, the promise to protect the rights and property of the hapu and paid compensation, title to returned lands and enacted the Orakei Act 1991 recognising the Ngati Whatua o Orakei Maori Trust Board as the tribal authority representing all members of the hapu.