Mohi turei biography

REV. MOHI TUREI A BIOGRAPHY Mohi Turei was a prominent member of the Ngati-Hokopu subtribe or Whanau a Rarewa, as it was called in early times—a section of the Ngati-Porou Tribe. The subtribe was always prominent in tribal affairs, and it produced some notable men, like Kakatarau, who led the expedition against Tokaakuku in 1836 and his brother, Mokena Kohere, who led the loyal Maoris against the Hauhaus and defeated them in 1865. The former signed the Treaty of Waitangi, and the latter was called to the Legislative Council in 1872. He was also presented with a sword by Queen Victoria. Mohi Turei's father was Omanga of the Ngati-Hokopu subtribe, and his mother was Makere Tangikuku, of the Aitanga a Mate subtribe, Whareponga. He was probably born on Kautuku, the ancestral home of the Ngati-Hokopu. Mohi's first wife was Meri Te Rore, who bore him two daughters and two sons. It may be mentioned here that Rina, Mohi's elder daughter, for falling in love with the chief Paora Haenga, was banished to Te Arai, Poverty Bay, where she died, presumably of a broken heart. Strangely enough, Waiaka, Rina's younger sister, later married Paora Haenga. Mohi Turei was educated at Bishop William Williams' school at Waerenga-a-Hika, Poverty Bay. All the teaching was imparted in Maori; consequently Mohi knew no English, although with his intellectual ability he would have been a great scholar if he had known English. Even so, he was highly cultured in a Maori way. Mohi Turei was ordained deacon in 1864, the year before Hauhau troubles broke out in the Waiapu Valley. After the brutal murder of the Rev. Carl Volkner at Opotiki, the rebels decided to march to the East Cape district to enlist the co-operation of the Ngati-Porou Tribe. There was some reason for this, for the kingite movement had already been established at Wai-o-matatini, a tribal centre. The first step to meet the Hauhau menace was taken by Mohi Turei. Dressed in some military outfit, he hurried to Popoti, where his peop

Date:1856-1866 (translated 1977)

From:Williams family : Miscellaneous papers, particularly of William, William Leonard and Herbert William Williams

Reference:MS-Papers-0190-18

Description:Correspondents include: Matiaha Pahewa of Waerenga-a-hika, 1856; Hare Potae of Uawhai, 1860; Raniere Kawhia of Whareponga, 1864; Mohi Tuei of Rangitukia and Te Ruaopongo, 1864, 1865; Pita Tauhau of Nukutaurua, 1865; Tamihana Huata of Nukutaurua, 1865; Rutene of Waitotara, 1865; Raniera Kawhia of Tuparoa, 1864; Hare Tawhia of Waerenga-a-hika, 1865; Riripeti, 1865; Matiaha Pahewa of Wairererhua, 1865; Raniera Kawhia of Tuparoa, 1865; Wi Haronga te Kareti, 1865, Pita (Te Huhu?), 1865; Wi Pere, 1865; Mohi Turei of Te Hapete, 1865; Raniera Kawhia of Tuparoa, 1865. The above are letters from Maori ministers and deacons mainly to W L Williams whom they address as Mita Renata, discussing the movement of Hauhaus through the area and their contact with them. Also reports of their activities. Also letter from Anaru Matete passing on to the people of the East Coast a proclamation by King Tawhiao calling for support, 15 Apr 1866; letter from King Tawhiao to Reretua Titiro (proclamation calling for the support of the East Coast people), 15 Apr 1866; letter from Anaru Matete to Karaitiana, Renata Kawepo, Noa and Paora Kaiwhata concerning his visit to Tawhiao, and persuading others to support the King, 17 May 1866; letter from Anaru Matuakore to Renata Titore concerning relationships with the King Movement and Te Ua, Patara, Te Whiti etc; letter from (named) East Coast people to Anaru Matuakore Te Wereta and Hemi, a reaction to Anarua's letter and the King's proclamation. Quantity: 1 folder(s). Finding Aids: See detailed list with inventory.

Mohi Tūrei (c.1829 – 2 March 1914) was a notable New Zealand tribal leader, minister of religion, orator and composer of haka. Of Māori descent, he identified with the Ngāti Porouiwi. He was the only child of Te Omanga Tūrei of Ngāti Hokupu hapū and Makere Tangikuku of Te Aitanga‐a‐Mate hapū.

He was an accomplished carver including working on the Hinerupe meeting house (Wharenui) at Te Araroa, the interior carvings of Ohinewaiapu Marae. While Turei embraced Christianity, he acquired an understanding of old Maori religion and traditional learning from Pita Kapiti, a tohunga, at Te Tapere-Nui-ā-Whatonga.

He spent his childhood at Te Kautuku near Rangitukia near the mouth of the Waiapu River. By 1839, a school was opened at Rangitukia, which Tueri is believed to have attended. He later attended the Waerenga-ā-hika school at the mission of the Church Missionary Society (CMS), which had been established by the Rev. William Williams in the Gisborne area.

Tūeri attended the first synod of the Diocese of Waiapu at Waerenga-ā-hika on 3 December 1861. He undertook theological study at St. Stephen's College in Auckland. He was appointed a deacon on 25 September 1864 and appointed as the first minita (minister) at Waiapū Pariha (parish), which was the third Anglican parish established by the Ngati Porou. Hikurangi Pariha was established by the chief Ropata Wahawaha and Reverend Raniera Kawhia in 1860 and Tokomaru Pariha was established by the chief Henare Potae and Reverend Matiaha Pahewa in 1863. In 1865 there were fourteen clergymen - six European and eight Māori - in the Diocese of Waiapu. The Māori were: at Toko