Nga Tohu

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.


Signing

SignatureSheetSigned asProbable nameTribeHapūSigning Occasion
4Sheet 2 — The Manukau-Kāwhia SheetRawiriRāwiriWaikatoNgāti MāhangaKāwhia 28 April 1840

Rāwiri was the only person to sign the Manukau-Kāwhia sheet of the Treaty of Waitangi on 28 April 1840 at Kāwhia. He was the first to sign this sheet after it had been sent by Captain William Symonds to the Wesleyan (Methodist) missionaries James Wallis and John Whiteley.

Rāwiri's name, a transliteration of David, suggests he had regular contact with missionaries and had been baptised.


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Community contributions

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Cynthia Dickey

Posted: 15 Feb 2021

Could this be Rawiri Penaina who was a Ngati Mahaanga Chief at Awhitu . Signed treaty in 1840 at Kawhia.
He died 12 May 1872.
Any info appreciated

Anonymous

Posted: 11 Apr 2018

His full name was Rawiri Te Hauparoa ( grandson of Rangituatea) and lived locally. Also whakapapa of Ngati Maniapoto, Ngati Hinewai, Ngati Koata, Ngati Te Wehi, Ngati Rangitahi, Ngati Kinohaku, Ngati Tuirangi, Ngati Raukawa, Ngati Rereahu and others.