In 1840 more than 500 chiefs signed the Treaty of Waitangi, New Zealand’s founding document. Ngā Tohu, when complete, will contain a biographical sketch of each signatory.
| Signature | Sheet | Signed as | Probable name | Tribe | Hapū | Signing Occasion |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 83 | Sheet 1 — The Waitangi Sheet | Haupokia | Haupōkia | Ngāpuhi | Ngāti Toro?, Ngāti Rangi? | Waimate North, 9–10 February 1840 |
Haupōkia signed the Treaty of Waitangi at Waimate in the Bay of Islands on 9 or 10 February 1840 . He was an important Ngāpuhi rangatira (chief) and tohunga (priest) from nearby Ahuahu.
His wife, Rangiwehekura, was killed during the Musket Wars of the early 19th century to avenge Haupōkia’s alleged bewitching of people of the Māhurehure tribe. Haupōkia was wounded three times during the Northern War of 1845–46 – twice through the chest. In 1865 he was believed to be about 70 years old.
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