In 1840 more than 500 chiefs signed the Treaty of Waitangi, New Zealand’s founding document. Ngā Tohu, when complete, will contain a biographical sketch of each signatory.
| Signature | Sheet | Signed as | Probable name | Tribe | Hapū | Signing Occasion |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 122 | Sheet 1 — The Waitangi Sheet | Te Kekeao Paratene | Te Kēkēao Paratene | Ngāpuhi | Ngāti Matakiri, Te Uri Taniwha | Mangungu, 12 February 1840 |
Te Kēkēao of Pukenui signed the Treaty of Waitangi on 12 February 1840 at Mangungu, Hokianga.
He may be the Kēkēao who signed an 1831 letter to King William IV from northern chiefs, asking for protection from the French.
Te Kēkēao was an early convert to Christianity and was baptised with the name Paratene (Broughton). His interest in missionary farming techniques may have played a role in his conversion.
If you have more information about this treaty signatory please add a community contribution below or contact us at [email protected].