Teone Taare Tikao : The last Maori Narrator

Abstract

This paper concerns Teone Taare Tikao, the last narrator of Maori tradition and one of the most respected rangatira (chieftain) those days. Tikao was born in 1850 at Akaroa on the Banks peninsula, South Island. The era of his life was such that an exciting and instability were prevailing throughout New Zealand. There happened many conflicts among Maori tribes, and between Maori and pakeha (English) caused by the Waitangi Treaty ratified between Maori and United Kingdom in 1840. When Tikao was young, he had been well trained as tohunga (priest, specialist) and he became versed in Maori history, calture and society as well as many whakapapa (lineage) of major families. In the late 19th century, Tikao assumed the position of rangatira of his hapu (sub-tribe) and he was gradually concerned with politics not only in South Island but also whole Aotearoa (New Zealand). He was elected chairman of Kotahitanga (Maori Unity) and he much contributed to the protection of Maori rights and to the promotion of Maori autonomy. Tikao handed down many Maori traditions such as myths, folk tales, legends, customs and folkways. He also left the spirit of Kotahitanga for the next generations which is still active up to the present. Tikao died in 1927 and buried at Rapaki, a small town facing on the Lyttelton Harbor located on south of Christchurch.