The return of Hongi Hika, painting

The return of Hongi, 1860s.

This image by an unknown artist shows a large waka taua (war canoe) decorated with severed heads. The canoe was owned by the Nga Puhi chief Hongi Hika who was returning in January 1819 after raiding Bay of Plenty and East Cape tribes. A second large canoe can be seen in the background.

Hongi Hika became one of the most feared leaders in the land. Most of his actions during his period of dominance have been attributed to the notion of utu and a frenzied quest for revenge for the deaths of whanau at Moremonui in 1807. These explanations are too simplistic and have coloured interpretations of these wars and Maori warfare in general.

Utu sought to return the affected parties to their prior position. This did not always mean a need for blood to be spilt. Taua muru involved the taking of personal property as compensation for an offence against an individual, community or society. Such actions could also be employed when dealing with an unintentional affront or offence. The nature of muru would be determined by various factors, including the mana of the victim or offender, the degree of the offence and the intent of the offending party. Utu had to be enforced to restore of the mana of an individual or group. A failure to give or receive utu in such situations required the other party to seek utu against the failing party. Mana often resulted in an excessive response to an action.

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