Rore Pukekohatu's Account of the Wairau Incident
unknown
18/08/2003
We have long entertained the idea that the existing accounts of this calamitous event, which occurred on the 17th June, 1843, that we determined, whenever the opportunity offered, to furnish an original account from the Natives themselves. This idea has been lately received by the publication in our columns of the historical stories by Hokioi, and we determined to realize the project by enlisting the services of a gentleman possessing a thorough knowledge of the native tongue, who was also well known to the aboriginals residing at the Wairau Pah, which place he recently visited, and obtained the account below from the well known chief Rore. During the time he was communicating these reminiscences, there were two other Maoris present, elderly men, who had also been witnesses of the whole scene, one whom showed our commissioner a gunshot wound in the thigh, which he received at the time spoken of. To these men, Rore continually referred as to the accuracy of his statement as it progressed, and for what they could remember regarding certain parts of it. We are inclined to consider Rore's account as reliable and pretty correct in the main, not only for that reason , but from the fact he has always borne an excellent character among the European as well as his own people, as a truthful and upright man. It will at least possess the feature of novelty to those who may choose to think it doubtful in any respect.
