A gathering was held on 27th April at Papahua in Raglan Domain, to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the death of Maori chief Te Awaitaia (William Naylor or Wiremu Neera). He was a great warrior who became a Christian and one of the best friends of the Europeans in Whaingaroa.
Te Awaitaia’s warring ways ended with his conversion to Christianity. He signed the Treaty of Waitangi at Port Waikato on April 11, 1840. Wi Neera’s whare in Raglan was in Wi Neera St behind the current Waikato District Council Library.
Descendants of Te Awaitaia gathered in Whaingaroa at Papahua for the commemoration. Descendants of missionary James Wallis and descendants of early settlers joined in the commemorations. Wi Neera’s taiaha, held in Raglan Museum, was on hand at Papahua for the day.
A historical panel about Te Awaitaia, written in Maori and English, was unveiled at the commemoration on Wednesday.
Te Awaitaia, who was born about 1796 into the Waikato tribe of Ngati Mahanga, at Waipa, died in Raglan on April 27, 1866, when he caught influenza while visiting Kawhia. He is buried at Papahua, near the boat ramp in Raglan Domain. Many dignitaries attended his funeral with the most prominent being Governor Sir George Grey.
Thank you for the article. An awesome piece of history revealed.
Whoaaa!.fantastic editorial,i have been researching Te Awaitaia whakapapa…he was my x3 Great Grandfather.I will be paying homage to his place of rest.