Before the 1840's until his death in 1854, Te Ruki Kawiti was paramount chief throughout Te Whare Kura of the Ngapuhi. After the seige of Ruapekapeka Pa in 1846, he accompanied the remnants of his Parawhau tribe to their beautiful pa, Pukepoto, situated on a picturesque hill at Pehiaweri, now known as Glenbervie, on the outskirts of Whangarei. Here in the morning sunshine, he delivered his famous message of peace in eloquent classical Maori.
E te whanau, i te pakanga ahau ki te Atua i te po, heoi kihai ahau i mate. Na reira, takahia te riri ki raro i 0 koutou waewae.
Kia u ki te Whakapono, he poai pakeha koutou i muri nei.
Waiho kia kakati te namu i te wharangi 0 te pukapuka., hei konei ka tahuri atu ai. Kei takahia e koutou, nga papa pounomu a 0 koutou tupuna e lakota nei. Titiro atu ki nga taumata 0 te moana.
Translated:
"My illustrious warriors and people, I had war with God during the night, but I survived. Therefore I call upon you to suppress war under foot. Hold fast to the Christian faith, for the day will come when you will become labourers under your Pakeha friends. Await, therefore, until the sandfly nips the pages of the Book, (the Treaty). Then, and only then, shall you arise and oppose.Do not desecrate the Papa Pounomu (the Articles of the Treaty endorsed by your forebears). Look beyond the sea, to the transfiguration of the future."
When Te Ruki Kawiti died his cloak fell on the shoulders of Maihi Paraone Kawiti, the youngest of his three sons, the other two having fallen in battle. Maihi was a worthy successor to his famous father, and later was presented with the "Rongomai Seal" (lasting peace), which is now in the Waitangi Museum.
On his deathbed, Maihi Kawiti named Hoterene, his nephew, as paramount chief. Unfortunately, before Hoterene died in 1910, he did not appoint a successor, so though Kaka Porowini was an aspirant for the position, he was never really accepted as such.
It was not until Kaka died that Te Riri Maihi Kawiti, the second son of Maihi Paraone Kawiti, became the official leader of the tribes within the Whare Kura of the Ngapuhi. The mana of Te Riri was high in the eyes of both Maori and Pakeha. His people respected him for his great knowledge of tribal lore and genealogy, while his patriotic services to both peoples during World Wars I and 11 were recognised by an O.B.E. He died in 1964.
Reference: Florence Keene, Tai Tokerau, Northland Room, Whangarei Library