Te Rauparaha : Kei Wareware

A new podcast series in five episodes (plus a prologue and epilogue), tells the story of the life and times of Ngāti Toa leader Te Rauparaha, a compelling figure in the history of Aotearoa New Zealand. Hosted by Ross Calman, produced by Popsock Media. New episodes available weekly, with the final available on 27 November 2023. Find out more about the series: https://mch.govt.nz/our-work/heritage-sector/te-rauparaha-kei-wareware

In the early 1990s, a young student Ross Calman finds himself in the University of Canterbury library, where he discovers writings by Tamihana Te Rauparaha from the 1860s. Ross decides he will learn te reo Māori, so that one day he will be able to read the words of his ancestor himself. Thirty years later, he did just that. We get an understanding of the context He Pukapuka Tātaku i Ngā Mahi a Te Rauparaha Nui (A Record of the Life of the Great Te Rauparaha) was written in, and of Te Ao Tāwhito, the ancient Māori world that Te Rauparaha was born into.     

A prophecy is delivered: from the union of Parekōhatu (Ngāti Raukawa) and Werawera (Ngāti Toa) will come forth ‘He taniwha’ -  “Someone extraordinary. A great leader, someone with vision, strategy, communication, and oral ability”. ;  The Kawhia iwi Ngāti Toa will need him - after the huge battle at Hingakākā their position on the west coast of Waikato is under threat. We hear about the world that Te Rauparaha is born into, and follow his journey from childhood to stepping up as a leader.

When Te Rauparaha, and his hapū leave the overpopulated Kawhia harbour for Te Upoko o te Ika, the head of the fish, there are challenges in making the journey to new lands. It isn’t just his warriors, but women, children and elders who are travelling in the heke. Te Rauparaha and his people make alliances along the way, but also mortal enemies, which will have tragic consequences for Te Rauparaha personally.    

Kapiti Island is a strategic stronghold, but there are enemies on the mainland waiting for their chance to attack Ngāti Toa.   The Ariki Te Pēhi makes a great voyage to England to acquire muskets and meet King George, but while he’s away, Te Rauparaha and the rest of the iwi fight a battle at Waiorua against great odds. 

Te Rauparaha’s success leads to a series of threats from Rangatira of Te Wai Pounamu. Responding to these, Te Rauparaha and his warriors set off on a series of South Island raids which will lead to the death of some of Ngāti Toa’s great leaders and a war that lasts a decade.   

The world of Ngāti Toa is rapidly changing with Pākehā settlers claiming land and resources for themselves. Ngāti Toa are becoming divided over the ways in which they challenge other iwi and Pākehā encroaching on their whenua and their mana. Tamihana Te Rauparaha, the writer of our manuscript, grows up and starts to challenge his father’s way of doing things. And Governor Grey comes up with a plan to get Te Rauparaha out of the way, so the government can take more land. 

What's the legacy of Te Rauparaha and Tamihana? What is left behind both in the landscape and in people's understandings of these leaders? How have the peace marriages Tamihana began been felt across the motu and how do the uri of Te Rauparaha and his old enemies feel today?