Te Pēhi Kupe

Te Pēhi Kupe (c. 1795–1828) was a Māori rangatira and war leader of Ngāti Toa and the uncle of Te Rauparaha.^[1] He took a leading part in what became known as the Musket Wars.

He led the force that captured Kapiti Island for Ngāti Toa, then in 1824 managed to brazenly force passage on a ship to England^[2] where he was presented to George IV, learned to ride, recorded his moko^[3] and had his portrait painted.^[4]

On his return journey he sold the various presents he had received in Sydney to purchase arms and ammunition, and was soon part of fellow Ngāti Toa chief Te Rauparaha's 1828 raids on the South Island. After sacking the pā at Kaikōura and Omihi they went further south to the major Ngāi Tahu pā at Kaiapoi, where they announced that they wished to trade. In fact the Ngāti Toa intended to attack the inhabitants of Kaiapoi in the morning.

The Kaiapoi people were told of Ngāti Toa's intentions,^[5] and were already aware of the attacks on their people at Kaikōura. The Kaiapoi people attacked the Ngati Toa during the night. Te Pēhi was one of three Ngāti Toa chiefs killed as they slept overnight in Kaiapoi.^[5]

This incident led to the revenge raids by Te Rauparaha in 1830 with the capture of Tama-i-hara-nui from Takapūneke near present-day Akaroa^[6] and the three-month successful siege of Kaiapoi^[7][8] and sacking of Ōnawe the next year.

• Ngāti Toa
• Te Rauparaha
• Musket Wars