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Te Moke

Nga Tohu

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.

Signing

Signature Sheet Signed as Probable name Tribe Hapū Signing Occasion
4 Sheet 4 — The Printed Sheet Te Noke Te Moke Waikato Ngāti Te Wehi Waikato, Date unknown

Te Noke signed the printed sheet of the Treaty of Waitangi, probably in late March or early April 1840. He was a rangatira (chief) of the Waikato hapū Ngāti Te Wehi.

The Te Moke who was recorded as a rangatira of Ngāti Te Wehi in the early 19th century may be the same man. He joined Te Wheoro in a Waikato taua (war party) to attack Whenua-pō, the pā (fortified villiage) of Ngāti Te Rā. Te Hiakai led Ngāti Te Rā away, wanting to avoid a battle, but Ngāti Te Wehi pursued them. Te Moke saw a greenstone hei tiki (pendant) around Te Hiakai’s neck and took it for Te Wheoro.

In 1840 Te Moke and three others signed a deed providing land at Whakatapu for the Aotea mission station.

If you have more information about this treaty signatory please add a community contribution below or contact us at [email protected].