The fifth and final video in our micro series this week features renowned kaumatua, Tū Waaka. And while we have traversed several issues relating to Te Tiriti and Ngāti Awa this week, in this one Koro Tū reminds us to think of the tīpuna who put their names to the Treaty of Waitangi.

On 29 o te Kai-tātea, 1840, Ngāti Awa chief Te Ramaapakura departed Te Awa o Te Atua and travelled north to meet his relatives living at the Bay of Islands settlement called Owae. While here, he attended the gathåering of chiefs who were invited by the missionaries and Governor William Hobson to sign Te Tiriti o Waitangi. Te Ramaapakura was one of those who signed the document on 6 o te Rūhī-te-rangi at Waitangi.

This event marked the beginning of the Ngāti Awa relationship with Te Tiriti. Reverend Brown was then given the task of ensuring that other hapū and iwi throughout the country could have access to Te Tiriti and sign it accordingly.

Rev. Brown then gave James Fedarb the task of taking Te Tiriti to the Bay of Plenty. Between 22 o te Hakiharatua and 19 o te Pipiri 1840, the merchant sailed around the Bay of Plenty, attaining the signatures of 26 chiefs from Ōpōtiki, Te Kaha, Tōrere and Whakatāne.

On 16 o te Pipiri, Fedarb arrived in Whakatāne where several chiefs consisting of Tautari, Mōkai, Mato, Tarawhatiwhati, Tūnui, Taupiri, Haukakawa, Piariari, Matetehōkia, Rewa, Tūpara and Mōkai II signed Te Tiriti.

Nā reira, Ngāti Awa will gather at Pohaturoa on Rātapu, 16 o te Pipiri, at 6am to commemorate this event. Nau mai, haere mai.

However, before then please enjoy this video of Koro Tū talking about Te Tiriti and Ngāti Awa from his perspective.