Signing
| Signature | Sheet | Signed as | Probable name | Tribe | Hapū | Signing Occasion |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 85 | Sheet 8 — The Cook Strait (Henry Williams) Sheet | Tahurangi | Ihākara Tukumaru | Ngāti Raukawa | Ngāti Ngārongo | Ōtaki? 19 May 1840 |
Ihākara Tukumaru signed the Cook Strait (Henry Williams) sheet of the Treaty of Waitangi on 19 May 1840 at Ōtaki.
Ihākara Tukumaru was born about the year 1813 in the Waikato district, probably in the vicinity of Wharepuhunga, to the south of Maungatautari. He belonged to the principal family of Ngāti Ngarongo, one of the many hapū of Ngāti Raukawa. The particular branch of Ngāti Ngarongo to which he belonged was known as Patukohuru.
Ihākara Tukumaru was instrumental in the founding of Foxton. He built churches, founded industry, set up the port, and sold land for schools. During the 1860s and 1870s he helped prevent the violent conflict between Māori and Pākehā in many parts of the North Island spreading to Manawatū, and advocated peaceful settlement between iwi concerning land ownership.
A full biography and photograph of Ihākara Tukumaru can be found online at Kete Horowhenua. He was also featured on the televesion show Behind The Brush (Series 2 Episode 5).
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