The Transfer to Moteo

While Ngati Hinepare and Ngati Mahu were living at Omarunui, the Hauhau movement were gaining impetus. When a group of Hauhau supporters called at Omarunui, then occupied by the pa, Paora Kaiwhata removed his people to Pawhakairo at Waiohiki. The outcome of this occupation was the Omarunui engagement of October 1866 when the Hauhau’s were driven out. Those captured were transported to the Chatham Islands.

This was also the era of the Maori Land Court where the various hapu applied to have their lands crown granted. Omarunui and Wharerangi were awarded crown grants in 1866 and other blocks further up the Tutaekuri followed within a few years.  Paora Kaiwhata moved his people to Moteo in the period 1867-1869. Ngati Mahu didn’t follow immediately, but Kaiwhata made land available to them for a marae and the meeting house Tumahuki (now Rangimarie) was eventually built there. Ngati Hinepare built the Whanawhana meeting house close to where Timi Kara dining hall stands today.

During this period Paora Kaiwhata, Tareahi and Renata Kawepo formed a trinity, meeting at Pawhakairo where the visiting chiefs kept a kaput or kitchen. They acted together in all matters of concern to them and their strength lay in their unity. They adopted a policy of leasing their lands rather than selling and each placed value in education and Christianity.

Tareahi erected the first church of the three at Waiohiki, which was consecrated on 30 June 1878 and named Church of the Evangelists. Renata Kawepo followed suit with the Church of St John at Omahu which was consecrated on 28 January 1879.  The Church of St Mary’s at Moteo was enlarged and reconsecrated on 25 January 1881. The first minister at Moteo was the Rev. Nirai Runga, who was ordained at Omahu by the Bishop of Waiapu in 1881.

Paora built a homestead to the west of Moteo and also a private meeting house which was called Tuhirangi. He died in 1892 and is buried in the urupa at Moteo. His duties were taken over by his grand-nephew and adopted son Paora Kurupo, the grandson of his elder brother Porokoru Mapu. The Moteo Hapua Te Pirau block was crown granted the following year. The Maori landowners of Moteo are living on partitions of this block today.

Some families made their permanent residence at Wharerangi. The meeting house Manahau was built by Hohaia Te Hoata in 1903. Wharerangi was reserved for Ngati Hinepare and Ngati Mahu from the Ahuriri purchase of 1851. It was not crown granted until 1900.