Reverend Heta Kereru Tarawhiti
"E papa whatitiri ki runga nei ko tana tini, ko tana mano, ko te wairaparapa te tohe atu ki Te Akerautangi te ekenga o Tutauaraia, KoTutauaraia, Ko Miria te kakara ko Taiporohenui taku ara whiua ki te whakama, mai e.. mai ... e te tipua, mai e ... mai e ... te taniwha, i haere mai koe e whea, i a whakaotinuku, i a whakaotirangi ko te manawa ko toku manawa e Tane ka irihia
e ko koia ..! e ko koia ! ee...!"
In 1823, Kereru II and Hariata had a son Kereru Tarawhiti III (the great great great grandson of Whawhakia) and linked tribally to Ngati Whawhakia, Te Ngaungau, Ngati Mahuta, Ngati Hourua, Ngati Ruru, Ngati Mahanga, Ngati Naenae, Ngati Koroki, Ngati Rangi, Ngati Whare, Ngati Te Huaki, Ngati Te Wehi and Ngati Tahinga.
Although he was born Kereru, when he was a child he was christened 'Seth' by Reverend Robert Burrows of the Mission School. The name Seth was later translated into Maori as Heta.
At the age of 16, Heta witnessed the arrival of Reverend Yates Ashwell. Reverend Ashwell would ring the bell and Maori would come to hear him preach the Gospel of Christ. One of the few missionaries trusted by Maori, Ashwell was allowed to settle in Hopuhopu. Rev Ashwell would play a huge part in Heta's life.
At the end of 1843 Heta married Pirihira Ngatarete Punanga in the Taupiri Church. The following year they gave birth to their first son, Karaka Kereru Tarawhiti. Over the proceeding years, their family grew to include Matena in 1846 and Pene Ahiwera in 1848. 
In October 1848, Heta and his family join Rev Ashwell at Taupiri Mission School, Kaitotehe as a 'Lay Preacher'.
The following year, Pene Ahiwera passed away in July. Although hugely greived by the loss of his son, Heta accepts it as God's will. During the same year Heta becomes the 'Principal Native Assistant' at the Taupiri Mission School.
Heta and Pirihira were blessed in 1850 with their first daughter Mere Paama. It was also this year that Heta published his first book Nga Tikanga o te Kainga.
Two years later they had their fourth son, whom they named Pehimana.
Te Ngaungau hapu and Heta in 1853 gifted the Church of England a total of 1,385 acres for the usage towards education and religion. Within this same year, Heta and Pirihira lose their daughter Mere Paama. This was their second child to pass away.
In 1854, Hera Ahiwera, their second daughter is born.
Mere Paama II, their third daughter is born in August, 1856. She was baptised as Tukapoto meaning daughter.
12 June 1857, 10am in Paetai 2,200 met to discuss the nomination of Potatau Te Wherowhero as King. To commence the meeting, Heta was invited to give a karakia.
The following day Heta addressed the hui about how to distinguish one Monarch from another. He referred the attendees to the story of 'Peter the Great', the King of Russia. He also stood to reprove those Waikato Chiefs for the improper use of sacred words -
"Let us talk over our own native words, do not use those which are sacred, the things of God are separate from those of man. Leave out the scripture, don't bring them in here. If you bring in those quotations, we shall wander about for they are inapplicable and you do not understand the context. The scripture is a very sacred thing and should not be used lightly, I shall be angry if you persist."
The following year, 1858, Bishop George Selwyn recommends Heta for Priest training at St Stephens, Parnell. He was also joined by Hohua Moanaroa, Raniera Kawhia, Matiu Taupaki and Pirimano Karari. They were trained by Reverend Kissling and Sir William Martin.
In March, Heta was made a deacon at St. Pauls in Auckland by Bishop Selwyn. It was also during this time that his fifth son was born - Tamati Ka Tarawhiti. The Sunday following Heta's ordination, his grandson Matena passes away.
Hariata, Heta and Pirihira last daughter is born in July, 1860. Sadly in next month, they lose Pehimana, their fourth son. They would later lose their daughter Hera Ahiwera in 1862.
During this time, King Potatau passes away leaving his son Matutaera successor. War breaks out in Taranaki over the illegal purchase of land called 'Pekapeka'. The war was started by Wiremu Kingi Te Rangitaake.
Also during this time Sir John Eldon Gorst begins teaching at the Maori Mission school alongside Heta. Sir John Eldon Gorst is late made Resident Magistrate for Waikato.
In 1863 the war had increased, putting Rev Ashwell and his family in danger. Although King Matutaera had issued an order stating the Ashwell family are 'tapu' and no one was to meddle with them, their safety was not guaranteed. Upon leaving, Rev Ashwell left the Mission School to Heta to manage. Heta ran the school for the 9 years that Rev Ashwell was away, not once leaving despite the intense opposition and conflict from Maori and Colonial troops.
"Another case brought before the Compensation Court must be recorded. The Rev Heta Tarawhiti was left in charge of the mission station at Taupiri on the Waikato River when the war of 1863 drove all Europeans from the district. No threats could deter him from his duties."
King Matutaera in August, 1864, with a strong delegation from Waikato and Ngati Maniapoto, arrive in Ahipaipa, South Taranaki. These are the lands of the Ngaruahine tribe led by one of Maoridoms greatest fighters Titokowaru. It is here that King Matutaera meets with Te Ua Haumene who baptises him in the Pai Marire faith and gives him the name 'Tawhiao'.
In 1866 Heta is finally ordained as a priest by Bishop Selwyn at St. Pauls, Auckland. Heta borrowed a horse and cart from a cousin called Tamati Ngapora (Manuhiri) to make the journey from Mercer to Auckland and the event was published in the Daily Southern Cross Newspaper. 
The Twelve Representatives Te Tekaumarua as promised by King Tawhiao leave Kawhia for Parihaka in 1867. Amongst those sent was Henare Te Tarawhiti, Heta's younger brother. It is through Henare that we get the Nuku Tarawhiti whanau today living around Hawera and Patea.
Also in 1867 Heta applies for a block of land in central Waikato under the Settlements Act. Although Mr Mackayon behalf of the crown admitted Heta's interest in lands confiscated from his tribe, he believed Heta had barred himself from compensation by
"aiding or comforting rebels, or conspiring against the Queen, or joining with conspirators, though left in charge of the Taupiri station, wandered about ministering amongst rebels,-that in his ministrations he omitted the prayer for the Queen, and inserted a prayer for the Maori King (so-called)-and that he supplied sheep and other food to rebels. Heta was arraigned for attending the death-bed of Te Wharepu."
Such acts under the Settlements Act deprived Maori of hope of a compensation. However, Bishop Selwyn gave evidence and distinctly stated that he (Bishop Selwyn) had instructed Heta to minister to all sick and wounded without fear or favour. As to the prayer for Matutaera, Bishop Selwyn declared that the practice of praying for the principal chief of a place was usual and was conformed to by the Bishop himself.
The ruling: "The Court therefore feels itself called upon to conclude by adding that the Rev. Heta Tarawhiti leaves this Court with his name untainted as a loyal subject of Her Majesty, and with his character high in our estimation as a good and courageous clergyman."
In 1869, Heta visits King Tawhiao and his party at Tokangamutu, Te Kuiti. It was estimated to be 3,000 in attendence, only 2 non-Maori - Louis Hetet and William Nicol Serancke.
Later that evening, Te Kooti Arikirangi arrives to meet with King Tawhiao. The King requests not to meet with Te Kooti and posts guards outside his whare.
In 1870 Heta returns to Taupiri and recieves notification of his official registration. He was registered as No 63 with the Auckland Clergy list. In the following years he builds a new chapel at Kaitotehe, along the west banks of the Waikato River through the support from Ngati Whawhakia, Ngati Tu, Ngati Huakore, Ngati Tai, Ngati Huakatoa, Ngati Whauroa and Ngati Haua.
In 1876 Heta conducts the funeral service for Waranaki, the only son of Wiremu Turipona. It was at this Hui that King Tawhiao pointed to Heta and his other missionary companion and uttered the words 'O Tatou Minita' which translates to 'Our Ministers'. This was a public announcement from King Tawhiao, who was Pai Marire, that Heta and his companion were accepted Christian ministers throughout the Waikato region.
Within the same year, Heta along with Wi Patene, Mohi Te Rongomau and Hakiaha meet with Sir Donald McLean, the Native Minister.
In 1877 Heta leaves Taupiri for a new ministry in Pirongia. The land block is called 'Pourewa-o-te-Tonga' and located in Whatiwhatihoe not far from King Tawhiao's home.
Hera, Heta and Pirihira oldest grand -daughter passes away in 1878. She was only 11 years old.
Governor Gray in the same year meets with King Tawhiao at Hikurangi. It was estimated that there was 2,500 - 5,000 in attendace. By request of King Tawhiao, Heta conducts the evening prayers.
In 1879 Rev Ashwell retires leaves Waikato permanently for Auckland. Heta is made Principle of the school and church. Some 4 years later, Rev Ashwell passes away. Heta is saddened by this as Rev Ashwell had been a close friend so many, many years.
Pirihira Ngatarete Punanga, the beautiful wife of Heta passes away in 1886. She had been stricken with fever in early December which eventuallys takes its toll on her. She passed away at their Whatiwhatihoe residence. She was 63 years old and sorely missed.
During this time, King Tawhiao loses his son Tutawhiao. When the family express their desire to bury Pirihira at Taupiri, King Tawhiao objects and wishes to have her interred beside his son.
On August 29th, 1898, Reverend Heta Kereru Tarawhiti passes away. At the age of 76 while in his residence at Taupiri. He had suffered for 3 years from Rheumatism which caused his health to deteriorate.
His service was attended by the Kahui Ariki, King Mahuta and all the chiefs from the different Waikato hapu and other areas around Tainui. It was also attended by the most senior Bishops, Reverends and Priests from the Auckland and Waikato diocese. There were Government Representatives including the Education Department who recognised his 12 years of teaching at the Mission school. The funeral was also attended by a large number of the families of his previous students from the Mission school. While his body was laying in state, a large delegation from Taranaki attended escorted by Henare Tarawhiti.
Governor Grey sent a flag to be laid on his casket. It was said that draped in korowai's from not only his parents but also a korowai gifted to Heta from King Tawhiao. Also present was the old bell from the Mission School.
Heta was laid to rest at Taupiri amongst other distinguished Rangatira of Waikato. His service was presided over by Reverend Bradbury who also had officiated over King Tawhiao's funeral.
1823 - 1898
Reverend Heta Kereru Tarawhiti
Special thanks to Hone Nuku Tarawhiti for his hard work, this is many, many years of research and we are grateful for his contributions.
For the full story with all the whakapapa, pictures and taonga, please contact Hone Nuku Tarawhiti.
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Page last updated 28 Nov 2008
