Meeting with Hongi Hika

Meeting of the artist and Hongi at the Bay of Islands, November 1827 by Augustus Earle

Earle's painting shows canoes, a storehouse and carved objects. Hongi Hika is seated in the centre with huia feathers in his hair. Earle, seated on the left and wearing a green cap, is gesturing. Behind him is another European, his friend Shand.

The meeting took place in a bay about 1 mile from Kororareka (Russell). Hongi Hika had fought without his armour, supplied by King George IV, and had been wounded by a musket ball in the chest. He died a few months later.

Hongi Hika is synonomous with the Musket Wars. The Musket Wars are widely regarded as having started at Moremonui, at Maunganui Bluff, Northland sometime between 1807 or 1808. Ngati Whatua from Kaipara, Te-Uri-o-Hau and Te Roroa iwi fought Nga Puhi iwi in a battle Maori named Te Kai a te Karoro - The Seagulls' Feast.

Nga Puhi by virtue of the establishment of New Zealand’s first European settlement at Kororareka in their territory had become the first iwi to use muskets. Despite this they were defeated at Moremonui by their rivals who were using traditional weapons. As Nga Puhi reloaded their weapons they were overrun by the defenders' counter attack during which the Nga Puhi chief Pokaia was killed. Possibly one thousand warriors, mainly Nga Puhi were killed when hunted down after their ranks broke. The future Nga Puhi war leaders Kawiti and Hongi Hika were able to escape. Hongi's uncle and two brothers were not so lucky. Hongi felt obliged to avenge this defeat. By 1815 he was the undisputed leader of his people. He was convinced of the usefulness of muskets if employed in sufficient numbers.  

Detail showing Augustus Earle and Hongi Hika.