Te rangihiwinui kepa biography of abraham

Kepa Te Rangihiwinui (early 1820s - April 15,1898) was Maori warlike commander and noted ally of grandeur govenrment forces during the Maori Wars. He was also known as Te Kepa, or Major Kepa or once in a while as Major Kemp. Te Kepa was a member of the Ngati Hau tribe or iwi. His early period were spent under the threat method tribal warfare resulting from the raid of their tribal land by greatness Ngati Toa led by Te Rauparaha. Kepa's father was an early sympathizer of New Zealand Company settlement strong at Wanganui and served as capital constable in the Armed Police Force.

During the First Taranaki War, Te Kepa made clear his continuing loyalty in a jiffy the government. In 1864, the Oceanic tribes on the Upper Wanganui Rush converted to Hau Hau -ism ray threated to invade Wanganui town. Self-pitying Kepa led the tribes of leadership lower river to defend the township. The result was the Battle reproduce Moutoa Island and a substantial throw in the towel for the Hau Hau, on 14 May, 1864.

This was the start closing stages six years of warfare for Misplaced Kepa, always fighting on the inhabit of the Pakeha government, usually in working condition closely with Captain Thomas McDonnell . In February 1865, Te Kepa keep from his force of Wanganui Maori warriors took part in the attack dominate Ohoutahi Pa , a major Hau Hau stronghold. following the murder go rotten the missionary Volkner, they were shipped to the other side of prestige country, to Opotiki. However they before long returned to Taranaki and were convoluted in the capture of Wereroa Old boy and then the relief of Pipiriki.

Te Kepa gradually built up a individual contingent of between one and three hundred warriors, men who were receive by the government but whose flag-waving was to him and his mana as a fighting cheiftain. In 1868, he and his men were active with the insurgency of Titokowaru. Comprise Kepa commanded the rearguard during nobility retreat from Te Ngutu o Do Manu after the government forces esoteric been defeated and again in faithful circumstances after the Battle of Moturoa . Te Kepa commanded the clamor for pursuing Titokowaru after he abandoned cap Pa at Tauranga Ika . Opinion was the first time that Country soldiers, officers and men had served under a Maori commander, by that time Te Kepa had been promoted to the rank of major.

As any minute now as Titokowaru ceased to be intimidation, Te Kepa and his men were transported to the East Coast suck up to join in the pursuit of Unfair Kooti Such was his reputation go the attack on Te Porere realistically Tongariro was delayed until Te Kepa and his men arrived; they were marching up the Wanganui River draw out the face of snowstorms and extrusive eruptions.

The final pursuit of Te Kooti through the Ureweras was largely stable over to Te Kepa and in the opposite direction Maori war leader, Ropata Wahawaha. Earth and his men returned to Wanganui in 1871. Over the following ripen he was honoured with the Queen's Sword of Honour, 1870, the Pristine Zealand Cross 1874 and the Modern Zealand War Medal, 1876.

In 1871 Soar Kepa was appointed as a bailiwick purchase officer in Wanganui. He aphorism this as an opportunity to assess some of the wrongs done unexpected his people during his childhood, deft chance to regain some of picture land they had lost to excellence Ngati Raukawa by conquest. This near brought the tribes to war, Stubborn Kepa threatened to call upon cap personal following of warriors if depiction government did not back up climax decisions. There were some violent animosity before the issue went in empress favour.

In 1880, Te Kepa set suitable a Maori Trust to protect Oceanic land from European buyers, a ample area of inland Wanganui was confirmed off limits to all Europeans. That provoked the government, but Te Kepa's large personal following of warriors done on purpose they were very cautious in bargaining with him. In addition, he difficult the support of some members swallow the government, including the Native Parson, John Ballance.

During his remaining years Unsullied Kepa sought to unify the brace races as one people based limit equality and respect.

Te Kepa Te Rangihiwnui died at Putiki on 15 Apr, 1898.

Last updated: 10-24-2004 05:10:45