DescriptionView of Taupō Kainga from the Taua Tapu (Pukerua) Track, Plimmerton (17210987220).jpg
View of Taupō Kainga from the Taua Tapu (Pukerua) Track, drawn by S.G. Brees, Chief Surveyor of the New Zealand Company.
Prior to the Wairarapa earthquake in 1855, Taupō was the site of a principal pā of Ngāti Toa's rangatira Te Rauparaha. The pā was situated on the head of land to the north of Plimmerton beach and at the sea end of Taupō Swamp, which was then an inlet of Porirua harbour. This pā was strategic because it produced a landing and leaving base for canoes to travel in all directions, but particularly to the island of Te Mana-O-Kupe-O-Aotearoa. All the leading chiefs used the pā, and it was here that Te Rauparaha was captured in 1846 (see www.nzhistory.net.nz/war/wellington-war).
A small naval party landed at Taupō (Plimmerton) at dawn on 23 July. According to Pākehā reports, Te Rauparaha appeared from his dwelling and grabbed a taiaha. He was seized and led away in chains to HMS Calliope, where he was informed that he was under arrest for supplying weapons to Māori deemed to be in open rebellion against the Crown. No charges were actually laid and his continued detention was illegal. Te Rauparaha was sent to Auckland and only released in January 1848.
After Te Rauparaha's capture and the retreat of his nephew, Te Rangihaeata, following the fight at Battle Hill the pā was slowly abandoned and became farmland. The principal Māori villages after this time were Takapuwahia and Te Urukahika.
to share – to copy, distribute and transmit the work
to remix – to adapt the work
Under the following conditions:
attribution – You must give appropriate credit, provide a link to the license, and indicate if changes were made. You may do so in any reasonable manner, but not in any way that suggests the licensor endorses you or your use.
share alike – If you remix, transform, or build upon the material, you must distribute your contributions under the same or compatible license as the original.