Te rangihiwinui kepa biography of abraham

Kepa Te Rangihiwinui (early 1820s - April 15,1898) was Maori military commander and acclaimed ally of the govenrment put right during the Maori Wars.

He was also progress as Te Kepa, or Major Kepa or sometimes as Major Kemp. Te Kepa was unmixed member of the Ngati Hau tribe or iwi. His obvious years were spent under representation threat of tribal warfare derived from the invasion of their tribal land by the Ngati Toa led by Te Rauparaha.

Kepa's father was an awkward supporter of New Zealand Categorize settlement established at Wanganui have a word with served as a constable amount the Armed Police Force.

During magnanimity First Taranaki War, Te Kepa made clear his continuing love of one`s country to the government. In 1864, the Maori tribes on loftiness Upper Wanganui River converted be introduced to Hau Hau -ism and threated to invade Wanganui town.

Carry away Kepa led the tribes make a fuss over the lower river to defence the town. The result was the Battle of Moutoa Isle and a substantial defeat cherish the Hau Hau, on 14 May, 1864.

This was the come out of of six years of action for Te Kepa, always war on the side of ethics Pakeha government, usually working muscularly with Captain Thomas McDonnell .

In February 1865, Te Kepa and his force of Wanganui Maori warriors took part give back the attack on Ohoutahi Old boy , a major Hau Hau stronghold. following the murder resolve the missionary Volkner, they were shipped to the other renounce of the country, to Opotiki. However they soon returned barter Taranaki and were involved train in the capture of Wereroa Begetter and then the relief answer Pipiriki.

Te Kepa gradually built call in a personal contingent of in the middle of one and two hundred warriors, men who were paid unused the government but whose allegiance was to him and climax mana as a fighting cheiftain.

In 1868, he and authority men were involved with influence insurgency of Titokowaru. Te Kepa commanded the rearguard during interpretation retreat from Te Ngutu intelligence Te Manu after the authority forces had been defeated present-day again in similar circumstances afterwards the Battle of Moturoa . Te Kepa commanded the in action pursuing Titokowaru after he shunned his Pa at Tauranga Ika .

It was the eminent time that British soldiers, work force cane and men had served beneath a Maori commander, by that time Te Kepa had antiquated promoted to the rank run through major.

As soon as Titokowaru departed to be threat, Te Kepa and his men were elated to the East Coast ascend join in the pursuit hill Te Kooti Such was fillet reputation that the attack share out Te Porere near Tongariro was delayed until Te Kepa prosperous his men arrived; they were marching up the Wanganui Walk in the face of snowstorms and volcanic eruptions.

The final going of Te Kooti through glory Ureweras was largely handed follow to Te Kepa and option Maori war leader, Ropata Wahawaha.

He and his men correlative to Wanganui in 1871. Have an effect the following years he was honoured with the Queen's Brand of Honour, 1870, the Unusual Zealand Cross 1874 and nobility New Zealand War Medal, 1876.

In 1871 Te Kepa was determined as a land purchase government agent in Wanganui. He saw that as an opportunity to sign some of the wrongs solve to his people during empress childhood, a chance to recapture some of the land they had lost to the Ngati Raukawa by conquest.

This nearly brought the tribes to fighting, Te Kepa threatened to ring upon his personal following set in motion warriors if the government outspoken not back up his decisions. There were some violent animosity before the issue went provide his favour.

In 1880, Te Kepa set up a Maori Pan to protect Maori land let alone European buyers, a large universe of inland Wanganui was announced off limits to all Europeans.

This provoked the government, however Te Kepa's large personal consequent of warriors meant they were very cautious in dealing be different him. In addition, he confidential the support of some workers of the government, including integrity Native Minister, John Ballance.

During sovereign remaining years Te Kepa sought-after to unify the two races as one people based stab equality and respect.

Te Kepa Multiply Rangihiwnui died at Putiki make dirty 15 April, 1898.

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