Waka Nene headstone

The Maori epitaph on the headstone for Tamati Waka Nene at Christ's Church, Russell, reads 'te hoa o te Kawanatanga me te matua o te Pakeha' ('friend of the Government and parent of the Europeans').

Nene was regarded as the key pro-government leader of the Northern War. He fought against other Ngapuhi in this war because of motives that were important to him personally and to his hapu. He was not driven simply by some sense of loyalty to the British.