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Auction: 24003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 40

A very rare New Zealand Medal awarded to Maori Chief Henare Kakapango, who remained nobly loyal during the campaign and displayed numerous acts of gallantry and bravery - such was his regard that he was presented with a Sword of Honour and a bounty of £100

New Zealand 1845-66, undated reverse (Henare Kakapango), neatly engraved naming, good very fine

Henare Kakapango (Turangi) was born in 1830 at Te Arai, Turanga, Poverty Bay, New Zealand and played a prominent part in the New Zealand Land Wars. Various examples of his bravery and gallantry are recorded in various published sources. His acts were appreciated in an action in which he extricated Westrup's Force from Paparatu at Te Arai on one occasion. He also personally dealt a mortal blow to Nama, a notorious individual who had murdered Karaitiana and his three comrades at Whataroa, whilst serving as one of Gascoyne's Scouts. For his part in the action against Te Kooti:

'Meanwhile the colony, and more especially Poverty Bay, was thrown into a state of excitement by the news that Te Kooti, who had been deported to the Chathams in 1865, after the Waerenga-a-hika fight, had seized the schooner Rifleman and with a band of Hauhaus had
landed at Whareongaonga. That was on July 10, 1868. The Europeans at Turanga and on the flats did not know of the arrival until two days later, and Captain Biggs called out the Poverty Bay Mounted Rifles under Captain Westrupp, Mr. Thelwall being amongst the number. The volunteers camped at the head of the Arai, and the first clash occurred on July 20, at Paparatu,
on a field of snow. That was the opening shot in a campaign which lasted for many years, cost many lives, and involved an expenditure of thousands of pounds.

This first fight was a test of Te Kooti's strategy, for he sent a body of Natives behind the colonials, who were thus caught in an ambush—Te Kooti being on a ridge above and other Hauhaus below. The fight resulted in the loss of ten colonials and friendly Maoris, six more
being wounded. The rebels lost three killed. Many of the friendly Natives quickly reteated before the Hauhau attack, and the Poverty Bay Mounted Rifles, about thirty in number, gave themselves up for lost when Henare Kakapango, who was in charge of the friendly Maoris, came to their rescue. Kakapango was one of the best and most experienced pighunters in New
Zealand and knew the bush backward. Realising the seriousness of the position, he headed the retreating party, who were to a large extent hampered by the wounded. For his bravery, Kakapango was later presented with a sword, accompanied by a gift of £100.'

Kakapango died around 1882 but had lived to see his richly-deserved Medal claimed (No. 2603) from the roll for 'Friendly Natives' noting he had served '...at intervals since 1865'.

Queen Victoria famously presented six Swords of Honour to loyal Maori Chiefs for their services during the New Zealand Wars. In June 1870, Ngati Porou leader Major Rapata Wahawaha was presented his for '...unfailing loyalty and valour'. Kakapango's award is perhaps a similar style of reward for services to the Crown.

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Estimate
£2,800 to £3,200

Starting price
£2200